PODCAST: Europe acetone, phenol and derivative chain sentiment brightens, but will it last?

LONDON (ICIS)–Europe’s acetone, phenol and derivative chain has seen some small pockets of optimism in terms of January demand but challenges remain, with the economic climate still fragile and increases in new China capacity potentially upsetting global trade flows this year.

Europe ICIS editors Jane Gibson (acetone), Mathew Jolin-Beech (methyl methacrylate, MMA), Heidi Finch (bisphenol-A, BPA and epoxy resins), and Miguel Rodriguez-Fernandez (polycarbonate, PC) analyse trends in the acetone and derivatives markets.

• Acetone spot and contract activity upturn – but operating rates still heavily reduced on sluggish phenol
• Growing optimism around MMA demand, although supply picture could tighten later in Q1
• BPA, epoxy and PC demand reasonable, but import and macro-economic headwinds remain