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OLEFINS
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PROPYLENE
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(EPS)
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REAL-TIME NEWS
OLEFINS
PROPYLENE
New propane dehydrogenation units at Dow Chemical in Freeport, Texas, and Enterprise Products in Mont Belvieu, Texas, will see
capacity rise in 2016. (Image source: Dow Chemical)
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Shell Chemical.
Major buyers include Ascend Performance
Materials, Braskem, Dow Chemical,
INEOS and Total.
NEWS SERVICE
Our 24-hour global coverage of Propylene
-related breaking news includes production
updates on plant capacity, output and
shutdowns.
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04
OLEFINS
ETHYLENE
NEWS SERVICE
PRICING INFORMATION
We provide regional price assessments
and market analysis for Ethylene, including
price history, enabling you to understand
price drivers and set your own prices with
confidence.
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OLEFINS
BUTADIENE
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NEWS SERVICE
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PLASTICS/POLYMERS
POLYETHYLENE
Braskem Idesas Ethylene XXI project in Mexico will spur a fight for PE market share. (Image: Braskem)
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NEWS SERVICE
FORECAST REPORTS
Produced by ICIS Consulting, PE forecast
reports provide a rolling 12-month price
forecast, trade balances and in-depth
analysis into where markets are heading
providing a valuable tool to support your
short- to medium-term plans
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PLASTICS/POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
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according to sources.
thebolivar.
NEWS SERVICE
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PLASTICS/POLYMERS
MELAMINE
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You can rely on ICIS for all your Melamine market intelligence needs
PRICING INFORMATION
NEWS SERVICE
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PLASTICS/POLYMERS
POLYPROPYLENE
down 16%.
Meanwhile, producers have used the
propylene drop to add big-time to their
margins. Through the end of November,
propylene contract prices had dropped by
28 cents/lb in 2015, while PP contracts
had declined by only 12 cents/lb.
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NEWS SERVICE
FORECAST REPORTS
Produced by ICIS Consulting, PP forecast
reports provide a rolling 12-month price
forecast, trade balances and in-depth
analysis into where markets are heading
providing a valuable tool to support your
short- to medium-term plans
15
PLASTICS/POLYMERS
By Tracy Dang
HOUSTON (ICIS)--With overall supply
and demand fundamentals expected to be
steady in 2016, US acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene (ABS) market participants will
continue to monitor import levels and
see if competitive pricing will disturb the
balance in the domestic market.
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You can rely on ICIS for all your acrylonitrile butadiene styrene market intelligence needs
PRICING INFORMATION
NEWS SERVICE
17
PLASTICS/POLYMERS
POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC)
You can rely on ICIS for all your Polyvinyl Chloride market
intelligence needs
PRICING INFORMATION
NEWS SERVICE
18
PLASTICS/POLYMERS
EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS)
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NEWS SERVICE
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PLASTICS/POLYMERS
PLASTICIZERS
PLASTICIZERS SUBDUED ON
SLUGGISH DEMAND
producer said.
Downstream, architectural-construction
demand is not likely to be as strong as
usual because some new permits were
said to have been requested for
multi-family projects, which typically use
lower-quality materials than in private
single-family homes, a source said.
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PRICING INFORMATION
We provide regional price assessments and
market analysis for Plasticizers, including
price history, enabling you to understand
price drivers and set your own prices with
confidence.
Request your free sample report
NEWS SERVICE
Our 24-hour global coverage of Plasticizersrelated breaking news includes production
updates on plant capacity, output and
shutdowns.
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22
PLASTICS/POLYMERS
POLYSTYRENE
US POLYSTYRENE TO TRACK
BENZENE
28 December 2015
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NEWS SERVICE
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AROMATICS
BENZENE
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PRICING INFORMATION
NEWS SERVICE
FORECAST REPORTS
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AROMATICS
STYRENE
US STYRENE TRACKS
FEEDSTOCK, SPOT
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NEWS SERVICE
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RUBBER
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Europe seems to be a bit behind with that, For 2016, the passenger [and] light truck
but all in all, I think pricing will stabilise
tyre demand looks to remain steady and
over the next 60-90 days.
strong, and SBR producer said.
Im not sure there is much more to give on However, the outlook was not so positive
the down side.
for the rest of the tyre industry.
You can rely on ICIS for all your Styrene Butadiene Rubber market intelligence needs
PRICING INFORMATION
NEWS SERVICE
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FIBRE CHAIN
POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE
LATIN AMERICAN PET
OVERSUPPLIED
NEWS SERVICE
31
ALCOHOLS
OXO-ALCOHOLS
US OXO-ALCOHOLS EXPECTED
MOSTLY STABLE
By Larry Terry | 22 December 2015
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NEWS SERVICE
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ALCOHOLS
METHANOL
US OXO-ALCOHOLS EXPECTED
MOSTLY STABLE
By Bobbie Clark | 30 December 2015
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NEWS SERVICE
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ACIDS
ACRYLIC ACID
US ACRYLIC ACID MARGINS WILL
BE A PRIORITY
By Larry Terry | 22 December 2015
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NEWS SERVICE
Our 24-hour global coverage of Acrylic acidrelated breaking news includes production
updates on plant capacity, output and
shutdowns.
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ACIDS
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NEWS SERVICE
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PETROCHEMICALS
FATTY ACIDS
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PRICING INFORMATION
NEWS SERVICE
Our 24-hour global coverage of VAM-related
breaking news includes production updates
on plant capacity, output and shutdowns.
Request a free trial of ICIS news
41
PETROCHEMICALS
FATTY ALCOHOLS
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NEWS SERVICE
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PETROCHEMICALS
BUTYL ACETATE
44
NEWS SERVICE
Our 24-hour global coverage of VAM-related
breaking news includes production updates
on plant capacity, output and shutdowns.
Request a free trial of ICIS news
45
PETROCHEMICALS
PHENOL AND ACETONE
SELLERS TO BENEFIT FROM US
PHENOL/ACETONE SHIFTS
By Dustin Hall | 05 January 2016
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11 bankruptcy filing.
$2.30/gal.
NEWS SERVICE
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PETROCHEMICALS
EPOXY
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NEWS SERVICE
Our 24-hour global coverage of Epoxy resinsrelated breaking news includes production
updates on plant capacity, output and
shutdowns.
Request a free trial of ICIS news
49
PETROCHEMICALS
METHYL ETHYL KETONE
US SOLVENTS COULD HOLD AT
HISTORIC LOWS
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NEWS SERVICE
Our 24-hour global coverage of Methyl ethyl
ketone-related breaking news includes
production updates on plant capacity, output
and shutdowns.
Request a free trial of ICIS news
51
PETROCHEMICALS
PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE
US PA CONTRACTING, MA
EXPANDING
07 January 2016
52
NEWS SERVICE
Our 24-hour global coverage of Phthalic
anhydride -related breaking news includes
production updates on plant capacity, output
and shutdowns.
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53
SURFACTANTS &
OLEOCHEMICALS
GLYCERINE
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NEWS SERVICE
Our 24-hour global coverage of Glycerinerelated breaking news includes production
updates on plant capacity, output and
shutdowns.
Request a free trial of ICIS news
55
POLYURETHANE
ISOCYANATES
PRICING INFORMATION
NEWS SERVICE
Our 24-hour global coverage of Isocyanatesrelated breaking news includes production
updates on plant capacity, output and
shutdowns.
56
NEWS
MEXICOS ENERGY REFORMS
ADVANCE
23 December 2015
Opening the sector intends to attract investment needed to increase energy production
and expand the nations petrochemical industry.(Image: KD/Keystone USA/REX
Shutterstock)
Those reforms range from trade
agreements, privatisation and
central-bank autonomy.
Autonomy helped the central bank keep
inflation at 40-year lows, even though the
Mexican peso lost 15% of its value.
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You can rely on ICIS News for all your breaking news and analysis across the global
petrochemical markets.
NEWS SERVICE
58
Stock agents work at the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange in the Argentina capital on 17
December 2015, after the government lifted currency control. (Source: Xinhua News
Agency/REX Shutterstock)
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59
Venezuelas Congress is in a fight with President Nicolas Maduro, whose party still
controls the courts, the military and the nations oil. (Source: Xinhua News Agency/
REX Shutterstock)
Economy
(US dollars)
US 17,419,000
China 10,360,105
Germany 3,852,556
Japan 4,601,461
UK 2,941,886
Brazil 2,346,118
Mexico 1,282,720
Argentina 540,197
Venezuela 509,964
Colombia 377,740
Chile 258,062
Peru 202,903
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Embattled Brazil President Dilma Rousseff speaks during an event 22 December 2015. (Source: ddp USA/REX Shutterstock)
You can rely on ICIS News for all your breaking news and analysis across the global
petrochemical markets.
NEWS SERVICE
61
Over a dozen projects, from crackers to export terminals, are expected to break ground
or begin production in the new year. Phillips 66 plans to start up its LPG export terminal
in the second half of 2016 in Freeport, Texas. (Source: Phillips 66)
months ahead of schedule.
Production was expected to start in December 2015 at Braskem Idesas Ethylene XXI
project in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. (Source: Braskem)
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62
It will have a capacity of 150,000 bbl/day. The company started its jointventuremethanol plant in Clear Lake,
Other projects starting up include
Sunoco Logistics waspreparing to begin
Texas, with Mitsui in 2015.
Huntsmansethylene oxide (EO)
ethane shipments through its Mariner
expansion, which should be completed in
East pipeline, which will deliver the natural the first quarter of 2016.
You can rely on ICIS
gas liquid to its export terminal in Marcus
News for all your breaking
Hook, Pennsylvania.
Meanwhile, companies could reach
decisions this year regarding whether they news and analysis across
Commercial operations on the pipeline
will pursue projects in the US.
the global petrochemical
should start by the end of 2015, with ramp
markets.
up continuing in 2016, Sunoco said.
PTT Global Chemical may makea final
investment decision (FID) in 2016 or 2017
NEWS SERVICE
With the ethane portion completed,
on whether it will build a shale-based
Breaking news and analysis across the
Mariner East will deliver70,000 bbl/day of petrochemicalcomplex in Ohio.
global petrochemical markets. Be the first to
find out about market moving news, including
propane and ethane to Marcus Hook.
production updates on plant capacities,
PPT is developing the project with
output and shutdowns.
Phillips 66 plans to start up its liquefied
Marubeni. Likewise, Celanesemay also
petroleum gas (LPG) export terminalin the decide in 2016 whether it will build a
Request a free trial of ICIS news
second half of 2016 in Freeport, Texas.
second methanol plant in the US.
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The petrochemical industry faced several challenges in 2015, including crudes decline,
a stronger dollar and Chinas economic slowdown.(Sipa Press/REX Shutterstock)
of nearly 566 near the beginning of the
year. It closed on 28 December at 495.37.
Among chemical producers, some sectors
suffered more than others.
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US CHEM INDUSTRY
OUTPACES GDP
29 December 2015
One economist describes the nations 2.5% economic growth as a little bit
disappointing compared with the industrys expansion. LyondellBasell is among the
worlds largest producers of ethylene and propylene oxide. The Channelview, Texas,
complex is one of the largest petrochemical facilities along the U.S. Gulf Coast,
covering an area of nearly 3,900 acres.
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NEWS SERVICE
Breaking news and analysis across the
global petrochemical markets. Be the first to
find out about market moving news, including
production updates on plant capacities,
output and shutdowns.
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Tugboat and container ship in the Port of Long Beach, California. TheAmerican
Chemistry Council sees a significant recovery ahead with expansion projects, rising
output, more exportsandjob opportunities. (Blend Images/REX Shutterstock)
Phillips 66 plans to start up its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export terminal in the
second half of 2016 in Freeport, Texas. It will have a capacity of 150,000 bbl/day.
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Tugboats And Container Ship In The Port Of Long Beach, Long Beach, Ca, Usa 14
Jun 2012, But with no year-end rally, other petrochemical shippers say the downturn
appears likely to continue in the New Year.
increasing long-haul trades as additional
chemical manufacturing capacity comes
online in the US and Middle East, Busch
said.
Navig8 Chemical Tankers was formed
in 2013 as a joint venture between the
Navig8 Group and Oaktree Capital
Management.
However, the chemical shipping industry
has been waiting for a turnaround for at
least three years, and 2015 ended on the
downbeat, according to a few sources.
Netco noted in its November monthly
report that no year-end rally appeared
to be on the horizon and trading activity
started to fade in October and did not
really improve much in November.
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More merger and acquisition deals will be coming in 2016. Will chemical companies
be protagonists, on the sidelines or targeted for takeover? (Blend Images/REX
Shutterstock)
Some examples of these deals in 2015
include Kraton Performance Polymers/
Arizona Chemical, Pinova/Symrise,
Superior Plus/Canexus, Solvay/Cytec
Industries, Olin/Dows chlor-alkali
business (RMT), and New Mountain
Capital/Zep (LBO), as well as Dow/
DuPont, he noted.
71
WestRock, the merged paper products firm from Rock-Tenn and MeadWestvaco, plans
to spin off its specialty chemicals unit as Ingevity. (Image: ddp USA/REX Shutterstock)
on companies to do bigger deals to
achieve cost and revenue synergies to
compete.
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NEWS SERVICE
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INORGANICS
SODA ASH
be watched carefully
in 2016.
The US is a net exporter of soda ash, and
exports to date through August 2015 at
4.37m tonnes were down by 2% year on
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NEWS SERVICE
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INORGANICS
TITANIUM DIOXIDE
You can rely on ICIS for all your Titanium dioxide market
intelligence needs
PRICING INFORMATION
NEWS SERVICE
77
LUBRICANTS
BASE OILS
(PCMO) formulations, the largest enduse for base oils, must be made in order
to meet the demands of the new engine
technologies that will allow vehicles to
meet the new regulatory standards.
Although most of the standards become
effective in 2017, the automotive and
motor oil industries began working on new
technologies several years ago.
The work will continue in 2016, but the
imminent entry of standards for active use
in 2017 is applying increased pressure
to get the oils to meet the required
performance criteria.
In moving toward these regulatory goals,
US base oil producers have increased
output of the premium lighter viscosity
tiers, especiallyGroup II, and
also II+ and III.
The following chart shows an approximate
production capacity percentage by base
oil group type.
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NEWS SERVICE
Our 24-hour global coverage of Base oilsrelated breaking news includes production
updates on plant capacity, output and
shutdowns.
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CHLORALKALI
US CHLOR-VINYLS FACE MIXED
CHALLENGES
29 December 2015
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NEWS SERVICE
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FEEDSTOCKS
ETHANE
Sunoco was to begin exporting ethane last year from Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, to
the INEOS cracker inNorway. (Source: Benjamin Chun / Flickr/Wikimedia)
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FUELS
REFINED PRODUCTS
US REFINED PRODUCTS MIXED,
FOLLOW CRUDE
04 January 2016
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