China rPET Bale Prices Rise as Oil Volatility Lifts Costs: Sources
China’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET bale prices increased this week, supported by tighter feedstock availability and higher cost pressures linked to oil price fluctuations, according to market participants. Read More
When Ethylene is Optional: Coal-Based Supply is Stepping Up
Amid ongoing disruptions to Middle East energy and chemical feedstock flows, the impact is extending beyond feedstocks into the petrochemical chain, with regional steam crackers operating at reduced rates or offline, significantly curtailing olefin and derivative exports. Read More
Middle East Conflict Winners and Losers: Polyolefins
The Middle East region suffered significant physical damages that potentially include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) plants and upstream facilities. Regional supply remains heavily curtailed due to feedstock shortages and inventory constraints, resulting in force majeure announcements and even forced some assets to shut down. Read More
The Impact of US-Iran Conflict on Methanol Markets
Iran occupies a structurally significant position in the global petrochemical value chain, particularly in methanol, boasting 11% of global methanol nameplate capacity making it the world’s second-largest methanol producer, after mainland China. Iran exports well over 90% of its methanol production to the global markets mainly to mainland China and India. Read More
Engineering Resin Market Exposure to the Iran Conflict
Shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have virtually come to a standstill, as major shipping lines have suspended transit through both the Red Sea and the Suez Canal due to severe and escalating security risks. Read More
US VGO Imports Highest in Three Years with Steady Refinery Utilization
In August 2025, the U.S. imported heavy feedstocks such as vacuum gasoil at levels not seen in more than a year and half as refinery utilization has remained healthy. Read More
Will European Refinery Run Rises Boost Diesel Yields and Support Margins?
The International Energy Agency’s July Oil Market Report says that European refinery throughput in July 2025 is projected to be 11.3 million barrels/day, up from 11 million b/d in June and 10.9 million b/d in May. The IEA added “the current strong margin environment and rising crude supplies increase the chances that runs will surprise to the upside in the coming months.” Read More
OPEC+ Production August Increase Covered by Current Production
On July 5, the eight members of OPEC+—the grouping of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and ten other oil exporters—that agreed last December to an additional voluntary cut of 2.2 million barrels/day over a two-year period, announced the final stage of the unwinding of these cuts one year ahead of schedule by agreeing to a production increase of 548,000 b/d effective Aug 1. Read More