BANGKOK (ICIS) -- Asia benzene prices saw an uptrend early week. However, this gain was wiped out by a drop in crude prices by Friday.

• Market gets boost from US-China trade breakthrough
• Early week increases of over $50/tonne eroded by crude drop at week's close
• Market cautious about sustainability of uptrend amid incoming European cargoes

In this chemical podcast, Asia benzene editor Angeline Soh discusses the situation in the market and some insights from the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand.

BANGKOK (ICIS)--Over the past week, Asia ethylene players arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, to reflect on the industry's drift towards oversupply, and probe opportunities for continued survival as supply-demand balance changes enter the horizon.

• Feedstock cost competitiveness, ethane conversion considerations still on the table
• Consolidation a complex question, but looking more necessary for survival
• SE Asia's new supply may cause supply-demand balance changes for Indonesia

In this chemical podcast, ICIS editor Josh Quah discusses some insights gleaned from the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand.

LONDON (ICIS)-- European acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and acrylonitrile (ACN) markets are facing ongoing demand weakness in 2025, as well as uncertainty for global supply dynamics and the potential impact expected from US tariffs.

In this latest podcast, Europe ABS market editor Stephanie Wix and markets editor for the Europe ACN report, Nazif Nazmul, share the latest developments and expectations ahead.

• Demand stability at a weak level expected to continue across 2025
• Macroeconomic challenges persist, players monitor US tariffs situation
• Impact of ongoing antidumping investigation on ABS imports from South Korea, Taiwan

ABS is the largest-volume engineering thermoplastic resin and is used in automobiles, electronics and recreational products.

ACN is used in the production of synthetic fibres for clothing and home furnishings, engineering plastics and elastomers.