10 January 2011 03:00 [Source: ICIS news]
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The following OUTLOOK '11 stories were published by ICIS news between Thursday 24 December 2010 and Friday 7 January 2011. Please click on the headlines to read the full versions.
Asian polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle-grade chip prices, on an uptrend since the last quarter, are expected to rise further this year on higher raw material costs with demand expected to remain strong, according to industry players.
Asian ethanol prices are expected to hit record highs this year because of the continued tight supply due to poor crop harvests and strong demand, traders said.
OUTLOOK ’11: Slow recovery ahead for
The Asian chemical shipping industry seems bound for a sluggish recovery in 2011 amid ample tonnage, higher bunker fuel prices and stagnant contract of affreightment (COA) renewal rates at around 5-7%, industry sources said.
Asian methyl methacrylate (MMA) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prices are expected to remain firm this year on the back of growing demand from downstream sectors, according to industry sources.
OUTLOOK' 11: Polyester capacity increase to support Asia PTA
Asia purified terephthalic acid (PTA) prices are poised to hit new highs in 2011 due to significant capacity expansion in the downstream polyester industry in the key markets of China and India, according to industry sources.
Asian paraffin wax prices are expected to follow the lead from
OUTLOOK ’11: Strong demand, firmer costs to boost China PO
OUTLOOK '11: Spot ACN prices to maintain uptrend in January
Spot acrylonitrile (ACN) prices in
Asian methanol prices may turn firmer next year, supported by steady growth in demand, but trading values will likely be locked in a tight range, industry sources said.
OUTLOOK '11: Strong auto sector to support
The Asian base oils market next year will continue to be driven by the fast growing economies of
OUTLOOK ’11: New supply may halt Asia SBR uptrend from March
Spot styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) prices in Asia may continue its uptrend until March, when surplus supply and
The demand-supply balance for Asian paraxylene (PX) and orthoxylene (OX) is likely to remain generally tight in the first quarter of 2011 due to a series of scheduled turnarounds, sources said.
Asian methyl di-p-phenylene isocyanate (MDI) may not increase by much next year, with massive supply from a Chinese major producer expected to flood the market, industry sources said.
Asia toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) spot prices will likely linger at low levels in 2011, particularly in the second half due to an exacerbated oversupply situation in the key
Asian polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prices are likely to soften further at the start of 2011 on the back of the seasonal lull in demand, market players said.
OUTLOOK ’11: Robust China demand backs strong
China’s nylon demand is expected to grow at about the same pace as its economic expansion next year, boding well for Asian spot prices of semi-dull nylon 6 (or polyamide 6) chips, industry sources said.
OUTLOOK '11: Indian PP, PE markets gear up for fruitful new year
Indian polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) producers and traders expect supply to be abundant in 2011, more than enough to cope with the increasing demand in the country.
OUTLOOK ’11: Asia oleochemicals to track rising feedstock costs
Asian oleochemical prices will likely take the cue from rising feedstock values next year, industry sources said.
OUTLOOK ’11: Asian biodiesel faces a lukewarm new year
Demand for Asian palm methyl ester (PME), a palm oil derivative used in biodiesel blending, is expected to remain tepid in 2011 as the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED) takes effect from 1 January.
OUTLOOK ’11: Tight Asia caprolactam supply to keep prices firm
Asian caprolactam prices will be firmly supported as the tight supply experienced throughout 2010 is likely to prevail next year, industry sources said.
OUTLOOK ’11: Firm SM to support Asia benzene despite supply glut
A strong downstream styrene monomer (SM) market will provide crucial support to Asian benzene prices next year, given expectations that oversupply conditions could worsen, market sources said.
OUTLOOK ’11: Fundamentals, speculative trade back strong Asia MEG
Asia’s monoethylene glycol (MEG) prices are expected to remain strong into 2011 because of healthy demand from the downstream sector while supply is tight, with the aid of some speculative trading.
OUTLOOK ’11: Asia SM in for a good run as demand outstrips supply
Demand for styrene monomer in Asia is expected to outstrip supply next year, with about 2m tonnes of additional styrenic resins capacity requiring feedstock coming on stream in China, boding well for prices, industry sources said.
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