Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 23 October 2020.

Asia BDO remains on uptrend on demand pick-up, snug availability
Asia’s butanediol (BDO) market remained on an uptrend with demand from the downstream sectors showing continued pick-up post-Chinese holidays.

India petrochemical demand picks up ahead of major holidays; outlook hazy
Petrochemical trades in India have picked up ahead of the country’s holiday season, which will officially kick off in late October and culminate in Diwali Festival in mid-November.

China’s polyester demand to stay strong on feedstock cost, rising export orders
China’s polyester demand is expected to remain healthy till the end of October amid rising feedstock cost and improving export demand.

Asia butac, etac prices touch 7-month high on vibrant trade, snug supply
Asia butyl acetate (butac) prices touched a seven-month high, bolstered by brisk import demand amid constrained spot availability, a scenario that is envisaged to extend into November.

Asian petrochemicals markets on a roll as China’s economy rebounds
Asian petrochemicals markets are on a roll this week, with demand rising and exceeding supply, as China’s economy continues to improve post-holidays (1-8 October) after staging the fastest recovery from Covid-19 as compared to other major economies.