Europe top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 19 March 2021.

Europe healthy chemicals spreads, run rates to continue through H1
European chemicals high run rates and margins are here to stay at least through the first half of the year, propping up producers’ earnings, investment bank Credit Suisse said on Friday.

Global petchems prices at highs as European force majeures pinch supply
A wave of force majeures (FMs) in Europe is putting unprecedented pressure on already tight chemical markets across the region, with strong demand sending prices rocketing to record levels.

INSIGHT: Dralon’s acrylic fibre site closures could ease some supply woes for ACN buyers in Europe
Dralon is to close two if its acrylic fibre sites in Germany from 2022, according to a press release on 3 March and this could potentially change the landscape for acrylonitrile (ACN) buyers.

Germany’s chems Q4 production jumps 9.2% but Q1 more challenging – VCI
German chemicals production excluding the pharmaceutical sector jumped 9.2% in the fourth quarter, compared to the third, on the back of customer restocking but industry body VCI said conditions at the start of 2021 have been more challenging.

Europe VAM contract prices hit record high in March
European vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) contract prices for March have hit an all-time high on global supply snugness and strong demand.