Americas top stories: weekly summary

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News from the week ended 15 May.

Tightening US styrene supply offset by demand erosion
US styrene supply tightened slightly this week as producer INEOS Styrolution kept its Texas City, Texas plant down since starting a scheduled maintenance in March.

VIDEO: Upward momentum in US refined vegetable glycerine market slows as market assesses easing lockdowns
Watch Markets Editor, Lucas Hall, discuss why the upward momentum in US refined glycerine markets has slowed over the past week.

US IPA prices see declines as supply lengthens, demand stays strong
Isopropanol (IPA) demand continues to be very strong in the US, although supply has increased in recent weeks.

INTERVIEW: NACD prepares US distributors to emerge from coronavirus lockdowns
The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) is guiding its members through the coronavirus crisis and preparing them to emerge from the US lockdowns, its president said on Wednesday.

US fuel ethanol spot prices widen as inventories fall, demand rises
US fuel ethanol prices widened this week, as fuel demand continues to rise. The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) outlook for the current corn crop is for record high production, greater exports and larger ending stocks.

PODCAST: NACD President discusses how the industry is shifting to meet customer needs amid coronavirus
As the coronavirus continues to hamper business, the president of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD), Eric Byer, discusses the impact of the coronavirus and how the industry is shifting to meet needs and help the community, as well as the hurdles that remain.

US House reps introduce relief package that includes biofuels aid
Four members of the US House of Representatives introduced a coronavirus relief package that includes aid for the biofuels industry.

US Q2 industrial ethanol contracts rise on booming demand, short supply
US Q2 industrial ethanol contract prices were assessed at a increase on Wednesday, amid booming demand and short supply.

US ABS demand to improve as automakers restart idled plants
Demand for US acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) is poised to improve now that North American automakers are restarting idled plants that were shuttered because of the coronavirus, but lower-priced imports continue to influence domestic prices.

US chem shares fall despite rally in oil prices
US-listed shares of chemical companies fell on Tuesday despite a rise in oil prices amid Saudi Arabia’s decision to exercise deeper production cuts.

US jet fuel recovery uncertain as demand hits unprecedented lows
US jet fuel demand is facing an uncertain recovery as the coronavirus has halted passenger demand around the world and passengers remain hesitant to fly until a vaccine is made, resulting in less travellers and sending financial pain to the airline industry.

Q2 will see worst impact on liquid fuels, effects will dissipate over next 18 months – EIA
Reduced economic activity due to the coronavirus has significantly altered supply and demand patterns, with crude prices at their lowest levels in 20 years, the US Energy Information Administration said.

US chemical stocks fall on crude oil weakness despite new cut from Saudi Arabia
US-listed chemical stocks mostly declined further than the broader market, which was largely flat, on crude oil weakness.