Europe top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 19 April.

Europe markets downbeat, crude prices subside following blasts in Iran
Europe stock markets shifted onto bearish footing in morning trading on Friday in the wake of explosions in Iran that escalated fears of ever-higher tensions in the Middle East.

Europe OX demand remains flat as “higher for longer” rates hinder construction activity
Demand for orthoxylene (OX) in Europe remains stable at soft levels as lacklustre appetite from the key construction industry persists due to the high interest rates imposed by central banks.

PVC 2024 conference attendees gloomy on demand outlook
European polyvinyl chloride (PVC) demand is likely to remain weak in 2024, as early hopes for a recovery in the first half of the year have been dashed, according to sources on the side lines of PVC 2024 in Edinburgh, UK a conference for PVC market players in Europe.

France Chimie calls for sector support as crisis continues and structural changes limit investments
Chemicals production growth in France could be limited to 1% in 2024 as many companies prepare to implement structural cost saving measures and limit investments for growth, the trade group France Chimie said on Tuesday.

Europe market jitters ease despite ongoing Middle East tensions
Chemical stocks in Europe have firmed in line with the general market in midday trading on Monday, as oil prices subsided and investor unrest eased despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

IPEX: Global spot index edges down on softer values in northwest Europe
The global spot ICIS Petrochemical Index (IPEX) edged down on the back of lower spot values in northwest Europe, where derivative production problems continue to hamper appetite for some chemicals.