Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 28 April 2023.

NE Asia C2 slips; China producers under pressure to reduce stock pre-holiday
By Yeow Pei Lin 28-Apr-23 12:04 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Northeast Asia’s spot ethylene (C2) prices softened for a third week, driven down by ample supply in China and limited regional demand.

China acetic acid supply may tighten on turnarounds; inventories falling
By Jady Ma 27-Apr-23 11:13 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China’s acetic acid supply is likely to tighten in May on scheduled turnarounds and amid reduced inventories, while market players are cautious given an off-peak demand season.

Asia MIBK stable to softer; buyers cautious
By Keven Zhang 26-Apr-23 11:55 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) prices were stable to softer, weighed by losses in China’s domestic market.

PODCAST: Asia polyolefins face lower margins amid surge in new capacities
By Lucy Shuai 26-Apr-23 11:33 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–In this podcast, ICIS editor Lucy Shuai and ICIS analysts Amy Yu and Joey Zhou discuss Asia’s polyolefins market outlook.

Excess tanker tonnage builds up on slower palms trades
By Hwee Hwee Tan 25-Apr-23 14:31 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Slower palm oil product trading activity in Asia has freed up more tonnage for chemical shipping, further holding back intra-regional tanker rates through to May.

South Korea Q1 GDP expands 0.8%, avoids technical recession
By Nurluqman Suratman 25-Apr-23 12:10 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–South Korea’s economy expanded by 0.8% year on year in the first quarter of this year on stronger private consumption but exports and manufacturing continued to weaken, official data showed on Tuesday.

PODCAST: Asia polyolefins face lower margins amid surge in new capacities
By Lucy Shuai 26-Apr-23 11:33 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–In this podcast, ICIS editor Lucy Shuai and ICIS analysts Amy Yu and Joey Zhou discuss Asia’s polyolefins market outlook.