Petrochemical Giants’ Overhaul To Impact Benzene Market Conditions
Sweeping reforms in Asia’s two petrochemical powerhouses, South Korea and China, are set to reshape the global benzene market. After years of overcapacity and weak margins, both countries are cutting outdated facilities and pivoting to higher-value operations -- moves that are expected to tighten benzene supply and influence global pricing, sources say. Read More
South Korea’s Aromatics Exports Up in July on Sustained Demand
South Korea's aromatics exports remained strong in July, supported by robust demand from major export destinations, including China, India and the U.S. Continued restocking activity by international buyers, alongside healthy downstream consumption, played a key role in increasing export volumes across key products such as mixed xylenes or MX, toluene and benzene. Read More
Asia’s Benzene Holds Steady on Balanced Fundamentals, but Q4 Outlook Still Murky
Asia’s benzene market is showing signs of stability for September as scheduled maintenance offsets tepid demand, keeping supply-demand fundamentals largely balanced. However, amid macroeconomic uncertainties, global trade headwinds and fresh capacity, market participants remain cautious heading into the final quarter of the year. Read More
European Chemical Demand Set to Stay Flat at 2025 Levels
A slew of second quarter 2025 earnings statements from several chemical majors highlights just how parlous the European chemical industry is and how far off any significant recovery appears. Read More
Robust Demand Lifts Asia’s Toluene Prices to One-Month High
Asia's toluene prices have climbed to a one-month high, settling at $683 per metric ton FOB Korea on Monday, a 2.2% increase, according to OPIS data. This marks the highest price point since June 24, driven by robust buying activity for September cargoes. Read More
China’s June Aromatics Imports Fall on Plant Restarts, Weak Demand
China’s aromatics imports significantly declined across the board in June, with reductions ranging from 0.9% to a sharp 30.8%, according to the latest customs data. This was mainly due to subdued domestic demand and a robust increase in domestic supply following the restart of several plants after their annual maintenance turnarounds, industry sources said. Read More
Ethylene Cracker Capacity in Europe Set to Lose 505,000 mt/year by 2027
Net reduction in European ethylene cracker capacity is set to reach 505,000 metric tons/year by 2027, according to Chemical Market Analytics data, following the almost 2 million mt/year of closure announcements in the year to date, according to Chemical Market Analytics data. Read More
Falling River Rhine Levels in Europe Impact Plant, Terminal Operations
The river Rhine flowing from its source in Lake Constance, Switzerland, to the sea in the Amsterdam Rotterdam Antwerp (ARA) trading complex is one of Europe’s key transport arteries for all goods, but especially for petroleum products and chemicals. Read More
China to List Propylene Futures and Options for Trading
The China Securities Regulatory Commission has approved the registration of propylene futures and options on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange, in a move that could open the door for petrochemical industry players to hedge against risks and enhance supply chains. Read More
INEOS Faces $31 Million Penalty Despite Reducing Carbon Emissions by 75%
INEOS Acetyls has said it faces a £23 million ($31 million) penalty in withheld carbon credits despite slashing emissions by 75% at its site based in Hull, in the north of England. Read More
No Sign of Recovery for Europe Chemical Industry Amid High Energy Prices, Tax
The overall message from the recent European Petrochemical Luncheon in Munich, Germany, in mid-June suggests that demand for most sectors of the petrochemical industry remains soft and there is no real sign of any recovery until 2026. Read More
Sinopec Cuts Benzene Price Again as Market Slides on Crude Retreat
China’s state-owned Sinopec reduced its benzene list price for the second time this week, cutting it by 100 yuan per metric ton ($14/mt) on Thursday to 6,100 yuan/mt ex-warehouse, industry sources said Friday. On an import parity basis, the adjusted list price equates to around $747/mt CFR China. Read More
South Korea’s Aromatics Exports Down in May On Global Trade Uncertainty
South Korea’s aromatics exports declined in May as weak demand and ongoing trade uncertainties continued to weigh on market sentiment. Buyers are scaling back purchases amid volatile commodity prices and ongoing global trade tensions, an industry source said on Friday. Read More
Asia’s Benzene Margins Narrow as Trade Routes Shift, Demand Falters
Asian benzene producers are grappling with shrinking margins as the benzene-to-naphtha spread sank to $130 per metric ton on June 20, well below the breakeven threshold of $150/mt, according to OPIS data. The last time the spread was this low was in early May, and producers have struggled to remain profitable amid persistent global oversupply and weak downstream demand. Read More
Ethylene Exports Surge, Propylene Trade Tempers in April: Census
U.S. Gulf Coast April ethylene exports surged 117% from March levels, while April propylene exports and imports saw decreases of over 20% from March levels, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Read More