Industry: Specialty polymers

Chemical industry summary Lack of confidence in global chemical demand and weakness in the energy sector have spurred a generally gloomy outlook for global chemicals in 2016. The continuing weakness in the Chinese demand, especially for commodities, has resulted in weakness in global stock markets and especially on the Shanghai Exchange. Very high global inventories […]

Chemical industry summary  As witnessed by record inventory, the global oversupply of crude oil continues to weigh on expectations for a price recovery in the near term. This is both a supply and a demand-driven problem with consensus expectations indicating that 2016 is highly unlikely to show significant improvement in energy pricing. Companies in the […]

Chemical industry summary Publicly traded US commodity chemical producers reported surprisingly good financial results for the recently completed third quarter. Margins in Q3 for the US polyolefin chain decreased sequentially with polymer prices falling more than feedstock costs. However, for Europe, the story was reversed with declining oil and naphtha prices falling faster than olefins […]

Chemical industry summary The deflation of global chemical prices continues following declining feedstock and oil/gas prices. Key olefins in the US are now hitting levels not seen since 2009 in some cases, not seen since 2003. Ethylene margins are starting to ease for US shale gas-based chemical producers as lower international prices have resulted from […]

Chemical industry summary Reflecting a lower cost basis, global commodity chemical prices continue to wilt as the global chemical industry adjusts to lower crude oil prices. Spot ethylene in Asia has recently traded near US$800 per MT, down from US$1,400 in July. Margins have eased for producers in all regions. The Asian ethylene/naphtha spread has […]

Chemical industry summary US and global commodity chemical companies generally reported favorable financial results in the Q2 earnings season, with several companies reporting record results. Commodity chemical prices proved to be relatively stable despite ongoing feedstock price erosion. Demand for polyolefins in all regions was relatively firm and producers’ inventories at the end of Q2 […]

AMERICAS  Hexpol to boost synthetic rubber compounding capacity in Mexico  Hexpol plans to expand synthetic rubber compounding capacity in Mexico. The expansion will add a new advanced 135 L rubber compounding line into its Querétaro facility, Mexico, which will increase overall capacity to 70 KTA. Comments: Sweden-headquartered Hexpol A.B. supplies advanced rubber and plastic compounding […]

ADI Chemical Market Resources has completed a detailed analysis of high melt-strength polypropylene (HMS PP) technologies, designed to enhance PP’s processability in applications like extrusion foaming, thermoforming, and blow molding. HMS PP is produced through techniques such as long-chain branching and molecular modification, making it competitive with polystyrene and polyethylene in performance-demanding uses. Key applications […]

ADI Chemical Market Resources (ADI CMR) conducted a strategic study of global styrene block copolymer (SBC) markets, including SBS, SEBS, and SIS. These thermoplastic elastomers offer outstanding mechanical, elastic, and processing properties and are widely used as polymer modifiers and in adhesives, films, wire and cable, roofing, and automotive parts. The report analyzes supply-demand dynamics, […]

AMERICAS Dunkin’ Donuts seeking replacement of EPS cup Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. has looked for alternatives to expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam cups for its coffee cups. Currently, polypropylene foam cups from Berry Plastics Group have been considered the best alternative to EPS foam cups. Dunkin’ Donuts also seeks a new and recyclable lid to be […]

AMERICAS   Shintech to build new ethylene unit at Iberville Parish facility   Shintech, the largest PVC producer in North America, will invest USD 1.4 billion for a new ethane cracker installed at its facility in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, as well as infrastructures that connect ethylene output to VCM and PVC units. The new plant […]

AMERICAS   Nova Chemicals evaluating new PE plant   Canada-headquartered Nova Chemicals is considering building a new PE plant and might have a final decision within 12-18 months. If this PE project realizes, the PE plant would benefit from its expansion project of cracker in Corunna, Canada which is due on stream in 2017. In […]