Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 7 July 2023.

NE Asia C2 flat; tighter domestic China supply offset by ample imports
By Yeow Pei Lin 07-Jul-23 11:29 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–The two-week uptrend in northeast Asia’s spot ethylene (C2) prices paused as a reduction in the Chinese domestic supply was counterbalanced by an ample availability of cargoes from sellers in Asia, the Middle East and US.

OUTLOOK: Asia spot TiO2 market to rebalance in H2
By Joson Ng 06-Jul-23 11:19 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–The titanium dioxide (TiO2) spot market in Asia is starting the second half of the year in a lull following some inventory build-up caused by weak demand in May-June.

OUTLOOK: Asia BPA import demand to stay sluggish near term
By Li Peng Seng 05-Jul-23 12:03 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Import demand for bisphenol A (BPA) in Asia is expected to be slow through early August at least, as economic headwinds would keep buyers cautious.

OUTLOOK: Poor demand, long supply to keep Asia MEG market in doldrums
By Judith Wang 04-Jul-23 14:41 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Demand for monoethylene glycol (MEG) in Asia is expected to stay weak while supply will continue to lengthen in the second half of the year.

OUTLOOK: East and South Asia ethanolamines brace for rising Chinese supply
By Clive Ong 03-Jul-23 12:05 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Ethanolamines market in eastern and southern Asia continues to brace for rising supply in China.

S Korea posts first trade surplus in 16 months, manufacturing remains weak
By Nurluqman Suratman 04-Jul-23 16:55 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–South Korea posted its first trade surplus in 16 months in June, but its petrochemical exports and overall manufacturing conditions weakened on the back of the continued lull in overseas demand.