Soft demand, economic headwinds and limited output define Europe and Asia Pacific’s oxo-alcohols and plasticizers spot markets. Northeast Asian market participants are optimistic the markets will see seasonal improvements in Q3 but European sources’ outlooks are gloomy as economic pressures persist. Asia Pacific market editor, Julia Tan, joins Europe market reporter, Nicole Simpson, to discuss production, trade flows and demand outlooks for the oxo-alcohols and plasticizers markets.

Episode 1044: PODCAST: Europe, Asia oxo-alcohols and plasticizers spot markets quiet, demand outlooks vary

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The White House announced on 14 May that it would increase tariffs on $18 billion worth of imports from China to protect American workers and businesses. How will this latest development impact China’s LPG supplies from the US, which was the second largest LPG exporter to China in 2023, following the Mideast.  In 2018, China raised the import tariff on US LPG from 1% to 25% in retaliation to tariffs hikes implemented by the former US president Donald Trump.   In this podcast, ICIS Analyst Lillian Ren shares insights on the potential impact on Chinese imports of LPG, including propane and butane. 

Episode 1182: China LPG importers may not face higher tariffs amid US-China trade tensions

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- The ample supply of propylene in Asia as well as some new polypropylene (PP) capacities in China is expected to weigh on discussions in SE Asia in the coming months.Asia C3 to see length from China PDH restarts, SE Asia volumesChina PP exports to weigh on SE Asia discussions Asia PP prices to come under pressure in June-JulyIn this podcast, ICIS editors Julia Tan, Jackie Wong and Lucy Shuai discuss some of the trends in the Asian propylene and PP markets and what we can expect going forward.

Episode 1181: PODCAST: Ample propylene supply, China PP exports weigh on SE Asia market

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asian oxo-alcohols buyers maintained a wait and watch approach, amid the possibility of added capacities in China weighing on market sentiment.The acrylonitrile (ACN) market continues to see limited spot demand in the northeast Asia market. Even as downstream acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) has seen higher production rates recently, ACN producers were unlikely to increase operating rates.For the acrylates downstream, butyl-A market in Asia continues to take direction from Chinese domestic prices. With India's Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) requirements preventing Chinese origin imports, cargoes from China were flowing into SE Asia and NE Asia. In this podcast, ICIS editors Julia Tan and Corey Chew discuss trends in the Asia propylene and derivatives markets.

Episode 1180: PODCAST: Asia propylene derivative demand still slow amid uncertainties

Phosphates prices have been under pressure in India recently, while demand is expected to return strong soon. Meanwhile, the lack of ammonia spot demand globally is weighing down on the market. Phosphates editor Chris Vlachopoulos talks to senior editor Sylvia Traganida about the state of the phosphates market ahead of the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) annual conference (20-22 May).

Episode 1180: All eyes on India as phosphates and ammonia markets see low demand

The closure of chemical plants in Europe and elsewhere could remove essential raw material supplies, threatening the future of downstream industrial value chains. -          Global oversupply, driven by China, forecast to reach over 200 million tonnes/year by 2028-          Interconnected value chains threatened if important raw materials cease production-          Globally 20 million tonnes of ethylene capacity may need to be shut down by 2030-          In Europe 5.6 million tonnes/year of polypropylene (PP) capacity may need to close-          Integrated chemicals sites under threat if parts shut down-          Industry associations could help plan to maintain critical raw materials supplies-          Anti-dumping measures could protect exposed markets-          China polyvinyl chloride (PVC) overcapacity may increase exports globally

Episode 1044: PODCAST: Europe, Asia oxo-alcohols and plasticizers spot markets quiet, demand outlooks vary

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