Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 19 November 2021.

Asia BD under pressure as China market slumps on supply glut
Butadiene (BD) import discussions in Asia have declined, tracking weakness in China’s domestic market, which slumped 13% from the start of the week.

China BG import talks stagnant; SE Asia market buoyant on tight supply
Butyl glycol (BG) importers in China have taken a wait-and-see stance on the market amid sluggish downstream demand, but in southeast Asia, buying sentiment for bulk cargoes remained strong amid limited supply which may persist until year end.

Asian R-PET demand outpaces supply on feedstock shortage
Strengthening demand for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET) in Asia will continue to outstrip availability of R-PET flakes and pellets for various grades, as persisting supply tightness of post-consumer bottle (PCB) bale feedstock hinders producers from operating at full capacity.

SE Asia import polyols to see low impact from China’s PO turbulence
Southeast Asian polyether polyols market is set for a comparatively more stable second-half November and potentially, December, despite recent volatility observed in the upstream propylene oxide (PO) sector in China.

VIDEO: Asia isocyanates face demand lull, tightened supply
Watch ICIS editor Jasmine Khoo discuss the latest developments in the Asian isocyanates market.