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 11 November 2016.

Shell Singapore lifts force majeure; confirms cracker restart
Shell lifted the force majeure (FM) on base chemicals supply from its Singapore production site, as its cracker in Pulau Bukom has restarted, a company spokesperson said.

Isocyanates markets hit by string of plant troubles
A string of unrelated fatal accidents at manufacturing sites in parts of Asia and Europe over the past two months have hit the isocyanates market, sending product prices skyrocketing, with the latest plant trouble in India likely to keep players on edge, industry sources said.

Asia PS suppliers hike offers on strong feedstock SM market
Polystyrene (PS) suppliers in Asia lifted their offers for the resins again, following the uptrend in feedstock styrene monomer (SM) numbers last week, said traders and producers.

Asia EVA suppliers hike offers on reduced supply, buoyant demand
Spot prices of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) in Asia were overall higher as key suppliers hiked offers by $50-80/tonne for second half of November and December shipments, citing reduced supply amid the prevailing peak production season in the downstream footwear materials sector.

Trump presidency to significantly impact Asia trade – analysts
The Trump presidency will significantly impact trade in Asia and throw further doubts over the future of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) as he has vowed to rescind US participation in the recently ratified accord, analysts said.

Asia etac may extend gains from 13 month high
Ethyl acetate (etac) prices in Asia may extend gains after reaching a 13-month high on the back of firmer raw material prices, market participants said.

Asia BD may extend falls as tight supply eases; buyers retreat
Spot butadiene (BD) prices in Asia may continue falling in the near term, with buyers retreating to the sidelines as tight supply conditions have eased following the restart of Shell’s cracker in Singapore, market sources said.