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 30 June 2017.

Asia PTA could see bullish fundamentals in Q3 2017
Asia purified terephthalic acid (PTA) prices are likely to remain supported in the third quarter of 2017 on expected tight supply and rebounding upstream energy and feedstock values, market sources said on Friday.

China SBR price uptrend may be weighed by drop in downstream demand
Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) prices in China may continue to rise in July on the back of higher feedstock butadiene (BD) costs, but the uptrend may be short-lived as demand from downstream tyre makers is expected to moderate during the month before picking up momentum in August, market sources said on Friday.

Asia benzene price outlook uncertain amid stronger fundamentals
Asia’s benzene price movements in the second half of 2017 will be largely determined by stronger demand from key downstream sectors as well as higher supply from new regional capacity expansions and plant restarts, according to industry sources.

China ACN likely to fall in July on ample supply, lacklustre demand
China acrylonitrile (ACN) prices are expected to fall further in July as plants restart after turnarounds and demand remains consistently lacklustre, market sources said on Wednesday.

INTERACTIVE: Asia toluene hinges on Chinese demand, TDP op rates
Asia’s toluene price movements in the third quarter of the year will be heavily influenced by demand and supply developments in China as well as the operating rates of downstream toluene disproportionation (TDP) units in northeast Asia, according to market sources.

Asia isomer-grade xylene outlook soft on new capacity, weak demand
Asian isomer-grade xylene – which has been on a price roller coaster in the first half of 2017 – is set to weaken in the coming months as a result of capacity expansions and lower demand.

Asia PX supply seen long in second half of 2017
The Asian paraxylene (PX) market is expected to see more supply in the second half of 2017 as producers in south Asia and the Middle East are expected to continue offering spot volumes from July onwards.