Asia’s Benzene Margins Struggle to Recover On Surging Naphtha Costs
Asia’s benzene market is showing tentative signs of margin recovery, but producers remain under sustained pressure as feedstock disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict continue to distort cost structures and trade flows across the region, according to industry sources. Read More
Asia’s Flexible Crackers to Raise LPG Feed in May Despite Mideast Risks: OPIS Poll
Asia’s flexible-feed crackers are projected to increase their LPG intake in May amid continuing uncertainties posed by the Middle East conflict, contrary to the decline seen in April, according to the latest monthly OPIS cracking survey concluded on Tuesday. Read More
Europe April Ethylene Contract Settles Up 39% at €1,595/mt on Conflict Disruption
The European ethylene monthly contract price for April delivery jumped 39% month on month to settle at €1,595 ($1,837)/metric ton Tuesday amid supply disruptions, according to producers and Chemical Market Analytics (CMA) by OPIS, a Dow Jones company. Read More
Singapore Poised for Oil Import Surge Amid Iran War Supply Disruptions
Singapore is poised to import an unprecedented volume of refined products in March, highlighting the country’s importance as a key oil trading hub at a time of widespread supply disruptions, according to shipping data and market sources. Read More
Asia’s Benzene Market Dislocated as Feedstock Shock Ripples Through Petchem Chain
Asia’s benzene market has entered one of its most volatile phases in recent years, as geopolitical disruptions, feedstock shortages and structural demand constraints converge to reshape pricing dynamics across the region. Read More
Oil Markets to Face Extensive Fallout from Qatar Strikes
Petroleum product markets are feeling the impact of drone attacks on QatarEnergy’s infrastructure and bracing for an extensive fallout that could ripple through global markets for at least a year, even after the conflict subsides. Read More
China’s Polyester Industry Faces Margin Erosion as Supply Chain Volatility Hits
The Chinese polyester industry is currently weathering a storm of margin erosion and supply chain volatility, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz choking essential petrochemical supply lines and sending feedstock costs upwards. Read More
China’s Naphtha Market Braces for Further Challenges as Russian Oil Waivers Expand
While crackers across Asia are rushing to secure Russian cargoes following the Trump administration’s expansion of the Russian oil sanction waiver on Friday, naphtha-fed crackers in China could face greater obstacles, as the once-discounted cargoes become more elusive. Read More
Asia’s Cracking Volumes Fall Amid Mideast Conflict: OPIS Poll
April cracking volumes across Asia’s flexible crackers are set to plunge as escalating Middle East hostilities have disrupted feedstock supply and prompted a wave of force majeure declarations by petrochemical firms, according to the latest monthly OPIS cracking survey concluded on Tuesday. Read More
South Korea Gets Ready to Tap Internal Oil Reserves Amid Iran Crisis
South Korea is prepared to release oil from its strategic reserves and supply stored petroleum to the domestic market if the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues and depletes private inventories, said the government in an urgent meeting to discuss the situation. Read More
Naphtha Gains Most From Lifting of Sanctions on Venezuelan Crude Oil
On Jan. 5, the U.S. launched an operation to take the then Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, into custody. It also began to exert greater control over Venezuela's energy sector, lifting sanctions on crude oil and refined product exports it imposed in 2019. Read More
Rising Prices, Maintenance to Cap Asia’s LPG Cracking in March: OPIS Poll
Flexible crackers in Asia are set to reduce LPG cracking volumes in February and March, as a sustained price rally and a heavy maintenance season in the first quarter continue to keep buying activities at bay, according to the latest monthly OPIS survey. Read More
Petchem Consolidation, Rising Prices Curb Asia’s LPG Cracking: OPIS Poll
Asia’s flexible crackers are set to reduce LPG cracking volumes in February as petrochemical consolidation gathers pace in East Asia and LPG prices rise amid tight supply, according to the latest monthly OPIS cracking survey concluded on Jan. 8. Read More
US Feedstock and Alkylate Cargo Movements Eased in December: Vortexa Data
U.S. feedstocks and some blending component movements in December slowed, possibly related to the usual end-of-year drawdowns and shipping movement disruptions due to weather. Read More
Asia’s LPG Cracking to Rise on Lower Prices, Naphtha Supply Risks: OPIS Poll
Asia’s flexible crackers are set to increase LPG cracking volumes in December, driven by a decline in LPG prices and concerns over potential naphtha supply disruptions following U.S. sanctions on Russian oil majors, according to the latest monthly OPIS cracking survey. Read More
Naphtha East-West Spread Widens on Fresh US Sanctions
The naphtha market has rallied with the regional east-west price gap widening to a three-year high, following U.S. sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil announced on Wednesday. Read More
China-built US Vessels Exempted from Retaliatory Port Fees
Beijing has eased some of its moves to impose retaliatory fees on American vessels calling at Chinese ports, exempting ships built in China that are U.S.-owned or -operated from paying the special port fees. Read More
China Targets 5% Growth in Petchem Restructuring Drive
China aims to achieve more than 5% growth in the added value of petrochemical output in 2025–2026, as part of broader efforts to restructure the industry amid mounting pressure from oversupply, according to a plan released on Friday. Read More
Asia’s LPG Cracking to Rise in September Despite Trade Tensions: OPIS Poll
Asia’s flexible crackers are set to increase LPG cracking volumes in September, driven by lower prices and ample regional supply, despite renewed trade tensions sparked by new U.S. tariffs across multiple countries, according to the latest monthly OPIS cracking survey. 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
Naphtha Buyers in Asia Shun Russia-Linked Refiner Post-EU Sanctions
Naphtha buyers in Asia are shying away from a Russia-linked refinery’s cargoes following sanctions imposed by the European Union on Friday, while weak market fundamentals have also contributed to the buying apathy, sources said. 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
Asia’s LPG Cracking to Fall in August on Higher Naphtha Demand: OPIS Poll
Asia’s flexible crackers are set to reduce LPG cracking in August as operators pivot toward naphtha as their primary feedstock and curb run rates, the latest monthly OPIS cracking survey concluded on Monday shows. 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
Asia Sees Weak LPG Buying Demand Despite Price Drop
Competition from naphtha, tariff uncertainty and sluggish demand from major importing countries have contributed to weak buying interest in Asia's LPG market despite a sharp price drop following the Israel-Iran ceasefire, market sources said. Read More
Asia’s Oil, Refined Prices Jump on Israel-Iran Conflict
Oil and refined product prices rose in Asia on Friday amid heightened levels of uncertainty following Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Read More