Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 11 October 2019.

Asia’s chemical trade sullen post-China holiday on interminable trade war
In Asia, petrochemical trade remains dull as dishwater, days after key market China resumes business post-National Day holidays (1-7 October), largely owing to the fact that buyers are sidelined in a nebulous climate when the trade war seems interminable.

Asia’s MEK sentiment mixed after Golden Week
Asia’s methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) sentiment in the near term is mixed on differing outlooks after the week-long holidays in China.
China celebrated its 70th anniversary and National Day holidays from 1-7 October.

Weak underlying demand to off-set tight supply in SE Asia PP market
Sluggish underlying demand may continue to weigh on sentiment in the southeast (SE) Asian polypropylene (PP) sector, although curtailed regional availability could provide some support to the spot market.

Asia ACN supply outlook mixed in near term
Asia’s acrylonitrile (ACN) market faces a mixed supply outlook as new production capacity in China could be balanced out with upcoming turnarounds in the region.

Asia’s naphtha prces gather steam on crude oil gains
Asia naphtha prices were bolstered by gains in global crude oil futures overnight, while steady demand provided market support in absorbing supply.