The international market for polycarbonate (PC) is continuing its upward trend. Prices for general grade PC in the Asian market have reached about $3,800–$3,900 per ton. Compared with two months...
Market
Asian Polyethylene Prices Fall, Potentially Signaling Arrival of US Shale
With the U.S. seeing a wave of new shale gas-derived petrochemical projects as of late, the effects of this may now be starting to influence the Asian market. Asian prices...
Graphite Electrode Prices Could Rise Further in Second Half
Domestic Japanese prices for graphite electrodes, which are used to make electric furnace steel, look likely to continue rising throughout the second half of 2018. Product shortages appear to be...
More Printing Inks Gain Certification to Use Biomass Mark
For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, nearly 30 printing inks obtained Japan’s Biomass Mark certification. That is around eight times as many certifications as in the year before....
Chinese Market Sees Soaring Prices for Inorganic Chemicals
Soaring prices in China’s inorganic chemical market is pushing Japan’s own market into something of a dilemma. Following the end of Chinese New Year, the Chinese government brought into effect...
Foreign Companies Eye Indian Chemical Market as Local Production Stagnates
The major players in India’s chemical industry, particularly in the basic raw materials sector, are state-run enterprises and local conglomerates. Foreign companies are rarely seen in the market. But now,...
Asia Attracts New Attention as Destination for LPG Exports
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the U.S. and the Middle East seems set for increasing exports to the Asian market moving forward. More than half of all LPG from the...
Benzene Supply Set to Remain Tight in Asia
Benzene supply is likely to remain tight in Asia, driven in part by continuing strong demand for benzene derivatives such as styrene monomer (SM). Overall global demand for benzene is...
Business in High-Purity Silicon for Semiconductors Keeps Booming
High-purity silicon for use in semiconductors is a thriving business. Demand for the material is rising across the board, from advanced semiconductors to IoT devices and advanced automotive electronics. This...
Asia Experiences Tightening Supply and Demand on Carbon Black
The supply–demand balance for carbon black is tightening, driven in large part by increasingly strict environmental regulations in China. While the country is a primary supplier of carbon black, these...
Chinese Chemical Market Sees Major Changes, New Business Opportunities
The chemical industry is seeing drastic changes in China. Against a backdrop of thorough production safety and stricter environmental regulations, government authorities have smoked out illegal operations and closed related...
Asia’s Petrochemical Market Appears Set for Another Strong Year in 2018
The petrochemical market in Asia appears set to continue its strong run this year. Numerous market insiders believe that synthetic resin demand will rise in China and Southeast Asian countries....
Needle Coke Prices Continue Upward Trend in Asia
The Asian market is witnessing continued high prices for needle coke. This is because, in addition to inquiries for use in lithium-ion secondary battery anode material, demand has been increasing...
Global Production of Chemical Fibers up for Ninth Consecutive Year
Production of synthetic fiber in major countries rose 4 percent year-on-year for 2017, bringing the total including estimated figures to 66.94 million tons. This data, coming from a recently published...
Acetic Acid Prices Hit Nine-Year High off Shortages in China
The price of acetic acid has reached its highest point in around nine years, with market prices in Asia having risen by approximately 30 percent from mid-December to mid-January. Currently,...
PET Resin Distribution Changes Course as Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese Products Bite
Global polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin market trading has reached a turning point. Triggered by the anti-dumping (AD) duties imposed on Chinese products by numerous countries, distribution flows to PET markets...
Japanese Demand for Petrochemical Products Rises for First Time in Three Years
According to ethylene conversion figures for 2017, Japanese domestic demand for petrochemical products showed a year-on-year increase of 5 percent to 5.06 million tons. This marks the first increase in...
China’s Market for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid Sees Higher Prices, Stock Shortages
The FOB trading price for anhydrous hydrofluoric acid in the Chinese market is now within range of $3,000 per ton. This comes as demand remains firm while major manufacturers have...
Silicon Wafer Shipments up for Fourth Straight Year, Setting New Record
Business is thriving in the industry for silicon wafers, which are a core component in semiconductors. SEMI, a U.S.-based industry group for the semiconductor supply chain, announced on Feb. 7...
MEK Price Remains High in Asian Market
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) continues to sit at a high price point in the Asian market, where current prices for the chemical are around $1,600–$1,700 per ton. This figure has...
