Asia top stories: weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Asia and the Middle east for the week ended 27 December 2013.

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OUTLOOK ’14: Asia’s naphtha supply to rise, demand to stay firm
Asia’s naphtha market is likely to be mired in rising supply next year, with regular, ample flows of cargoes from the West and the start-up of a few new splitters adding further downward pressure

OUTLOOK ’14: Asia methanol demand to strengthen on new uses  
The estimated growth of 4m-5m/tonne year in Asia’s methanol demand and the increased shipping costs are expected to continue supporting a general increase in prices in 2014

OUTLOOK ‘14: Asia’s styrenic resin faces uncertainty in early 2014
The Asian styrenic resin market appears set to be entering an uncertain period in the first half of 2014, because of weak demand and rising feedstock costs in 2013

OUTLOOK ’14: Asia caustic soda to remain largely stable in Q1
Asia’s liquid caustic soda spot prices are expected to remain largely stable in the first quarter of 2014 on the back of snug availability of Asia-origin spot cargoes despite persistently lacklustre downstream demand

OUTLOOK ’14: Asia base oils producers brace for tough year ahead
Asian base oils producers are preparing to face significant challenges in 2014 as  new capacities come on stream globally, putting further pressure on already tight margins for refiners