Americas top stories: weekly summary

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News from the week ended 16 August.

US may consider VCM, EDC expansions amid global PVC oversupply – ICIS
US-based polyvinyl chloride (PVC) producers may consider upstream and cost-advantaged vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and ethylene dichloride (EDC) expansions rather than going all the way to the polymer as global competitive pressures in PVC should remain intense, an ICIS analyst said.

Canada railroads may lock out workers starting 22 August
Freight railroads Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National (CN) may start to lock out workers on 22 August.

Weak demographics to prolong effects of chem overcapacity
Weak growth in the world’s population will slow economic growth, tighten labor markets and likely prolong the global glut in polyolefins, according to ICIS analysts.

INSIGHT: US chem feedstock costs hit pandemic lows as midstream buildout continues
Prices for ethane, the predominant US feedstock used to make ethylene, have fallen this month to levels not seen since the pandemic, and they will likely remain depressed until colder weather arrives later in the year.

Canada rail disruption could shut economy down, harm trade relations with US
US and Canadian chemical distributors and other trade groups are warning about potentially “catastrophic” impacts of a rail disruption that could start in Canada next week.