Asia top stories - weekly summary

Mideast PVC under pressure from influx of US cargoes, weak demand

Spot polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prices in the Middle East are under downward pressure from an influx of deep-sea cargoes amid threats of a trade war between China and the US.

China acetone import sentiment to stay firm on tight supply

China acetone import prices are likely to stay firm on the back of limited supplies in the region, market participants said.

China paraffin wax uptrend may be reaching a tipping point

Chinese paraffin wax uptrend – which has continued throughout the first quarter - may now be coming to an end as market players feel that prices have peaked.

Asia SBR may rise on feedstock BD gains, firm demand

Asia’s styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) prices look set to increase on the back of rising feedstock butadiene (BD) cost and expectations of firm demand.

India IPA import prices poised to rise on firm demand, tight supply

Indian Isopropanol (IPA) import prices look set to rise further on the back of firm demand and tight supply, market participants said.

Asia MEG spikes on prompt cargo shortage; price spreads widen

Spot monoethylene glycol (MEG) prices in Asia have continued to increase due to a shortage of prompt cargoes amid strong demand, which further widened price spreads between readily available supply and H2 April/May shipments.

China to allocate more MEK cargoes for export amid weak demand

Chinese suppliers will be allocating more methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) cargoes for export this year amid weak domestic demand.

China domestic MMA prices to stay firm on tight supply

China’s domestic methyl methacrylate (MMA) prices are trading at their record highs and may remain supported by tight supply in both the local and import markets amid plant turnarounds.

Iran rial slump unlikely to boost petrochemical exports

Iran’s petrochemical exports may not get a major boost from the recent plunge of the rial - triggered by speculations of further sanctions from the US - as most cargoes are shipped out under term contracts, particularly to its key market - China.

Asia BD set to rise in near term as US arbitrage window opens

Asia butadiene (BD) spot prices look set to rise in the near term on tighter-than-expected supplies and as the arbitrage window to the US opens.