Americas top stories: weekly summary

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News from the week ended 31 August.

Lack of steam cracker feed flexibility pushing US ethane to multi-year highs
The limited ability for the new slate of US ethylene crackers to shift feedstock feeds from chiefly ethane is adding upward pressure to the ethane market.

US, Mexico reach preliminary deal to update NAFTA
The US and Mexico have reached a preliminary agreement to update NAFTA, the US Trade Representative (USTR) said on Monday.

INTERACTIVE: US Gulf petchem boom made Harvey the first global hurricane
Powerful hurricanes have hit the US Gulf Coast in the past, but Hurricane Harvey was the first to strike after petrochemical producers began a wave of expansion projects in the region, making the storm the first to have significant effects on global petrochemical markets.

US ExxonMobil considers Vistamaxx, LAO plants in Baytown
US-based producer ExxonMobil revealed on Monday details of a proposal to build to new units at its complex in Baytown, Texas, saying that one of them will produce its Vistamaxx copolymer and the second will produce linear alpha olefins(LAO).

INTERACTIVE: US August propylene contracts settle up 2 cents/lb amid recent outages
US August propylene contracts have settled at a 2 cent/lb increase for the majority of the market, although one seller did not settle at that level, market sources said on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Lack of steam cracker feed flexibility pushing US ethane to multi-year highs
The limited ability for the new slate of US ethylene crackers to shift feedstock feeds from chiefly ethane is adding upward pressure to the ethane market.

US August PE contracts settle lower on lengthening supply
US August polyethylene (PE) contracts were assessed 3 cents/lb ($66/tonne) lower for most grades based on lengthening supply.