Americas top stories: weekly summary

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News from the week ended 7 January.

US December PE contracts decline on sufficient supply, high inventories
US December polyethylene (PE) contracts were assessed 7 cents/lb ($154/tonne) lower due to high inventory levels and sufficient supplies across all grades.

US chemicals sector set for solid earnings growth in 2022 – Wells Fargo
US chemicals companies are poised for strong earnings growth in 2022, building on last year’s gains, even amid inflation and pandemic impacts, a Wall Street analyst said on Thursday.

OUTLOOK ’22: Bullish feedstock costs, worsening logistics to underpin US fatty alcohols
Bullish feedstock costs and worsening shipping logistics are expected to underpin US fatty alcohols markets in 1H 2022 against the backdrop of pent-up demand globally during the pandemic.

OUTLOOK ’22: US isocyanate supply relief to offset strong downstream demand
The US isocyanate market is expected to see some supply relief against elevated downstream demand in 2022 as normal production levels return.

ExxonMobil US Baytown run rates still reduced; contractors discharged from hospital
Units at the ExxonMobil refinery in Baytown, Texas, continue to run at reduced rates, according to a company spokesperson, following a 23 December fire.

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.