Europe top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 7 January.

Weaker base chemicals margins to hit Shell Q4 results
Shell’s chemicals division profits are expected weaker quarter on quarter for the closing three months of 2021, the producer said on Friday, as commodity chemicals margins continue to weaken.

OUTLOOK ’22: Europe MA slowly rebalances but imports to play a role in 2022 second half
The European maleic anhydride (MA) market had a forecast-busting 2021, and while 2022 may not generate the same amount of optimism it is still expected to grow as demand remains strong into the new year.

European gas price volatility here to stay, petchems under pressure
Unprecedented European gas price volatility may continue for the rest of the winter and possibly into the summer, putting more pressure on chemical producers that are exposed to the spot and contract gas markets.

OUTLOOK ’22: Urea prices firm on depleted stocks, expected seasonal pick-up
To say 2021 was an unprecedented year for the global urea market would be an understatement, and it looks like 2022 will be no different.

Europe ethylene January 2022 contract rolls over
The European ethylene contract reference price for January has rolled over from December at €1,272.50/tonne.