Asia top stories – weekly summary

ICIS Editorial

17-Jun-2019

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 14 June 2019.

China’s gasoline, gasoil retail-wholesale gaps narrow sharply in mid-June
China’s gasoline demand from air conditioning in vehicles may improve amid higher temperatures, while gasoil demand is expected to decline to relatively low levels because the rainy season and floods will curb activities of the outdoor construction sector.

China PP under pressure from trade war, new capacities
China’s polypropylene (PP) import and domestic markets face downward pressure from prospects of supply glut and weak demand, brought on by new capacities and the fallout in trade negotiations with the US.

Asia BPA markets to be dampened by feeble demand
Asia bisphenol A (BPA) markets are tapering off against a backdrop of paltry demand and brimming supply, a situation that may prolong in the coming days.

Asia ABS extend losses on tepid demand amid ongoing trade war
The Asia acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) market weakened again this week as demand across the region remained lacklustre.

Chinese SBR demand weakens on slump in auto sales, slowing growth
Chinese demand for styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) has weakened because of falling automotive sales, weak market conditions and slowing growth.

China PP prices rebound, economic uncertainty to weigh on sentiment
China’s polypropylene (PP) prices rose this week after recently hitting 23-month lows but economic uncertainty and increasing supply is expected weigh on business sentiment in the near term.

China’s mixed aromatics imports may continue to decline in June
China’s mixed aromatics imports may fall further in June on the back of importers’ margin squeeze and falling gasoline prices.

India SBR demand to stay weak on falling auto sales, slowing economy
India’s styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) demand is expected to remain weak amid falling automotive sales and a slowing economy.

Asia acetic acid markets rally on tight supply; outlook mixed
Asia’s acetic acid spot prices have recently rallied led by the Chinese market due to tight supply, but stable downstream demand may be offset by easing tight supply when several plants recover from outages.

Asia MEK falls to 11-week low; bearish sentiment persists
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) spot prices in Asia have declined by around 17-19% over 11 weeks on the back of perpetual high inventory levels, with bearish sentiment expected to prevail in the coming weeks.

Asia PMMA on 1-yr losing streak amid trade war; eyes on G20 summit
Asia’s polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) import markets have been on a losing streak over the past twelve months, as the long-drawn US-China trade battle continues to rain blows on consumer sentiment.

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