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.

The agreement to pause steep tariffs between the US and China for 90 days allows normal business to resume, but chemicals CEOs still need to plan for structural changes to global trade.

- US-China tariff pause allows trade to resume between nations

- Will benefit chemical companies around the world

- But business leaders still need to plan for a more protectionist world

- Trade resumption could see huge spike in demand, snarling up logistics

- SABIC reportedly appoints banks to prepare for sale of European assets

- Could make strategic sense from cost perspective

- But would reduce footprint in the EU with its 450 million citizens
- Upgrade and restart of SABIC’s Wilton cracker reportedly delayed

BANGKOK (ICIS) -- Northeast Asia ethylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) markets have seen a slower-than-expected tempo of spot talks for June cargoes, with the main driver of uncertainty being unclear start up timelines from new ethylene derivative expansions, particularly from Chinese PVC.

• Around 1.5million tonnes/year new PVC supply may face start-up postponements
• Import discussions on ethylene slow pending clearer demand picture
• PVC demand clouded by India-Pakistan tensions amid pre-monsoon season

In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Jonathan Chou and Josh Quah discuss their findings from the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand.

China’s tariff on US LPG has been cut from 125% to 10% for 90 days. Shihao, Yan, and Lilian from the ICIS China LPG team discuss what this means for US cargo flows, CFR China price trends, and China PDH operation outlook, and why market players remain cautious despite the relief.

• China lowers tariffs on US LPG for 90 days
• What this means for trade flows and pricing
• PDH run rates show signs of recovery
• Market reaction remains cautious

Related article: Our April analysis on the tariff hike

Raphael Jaumotte, Technical Manager at Petcore Europe speaks to Matt Tudball, ICIS Senior Editor, Recycling about the Petcore Europe Thermoforming Conference on 27-28 May in Dijion, France.

Details of the event can be found via Petcore's webiste.

The theme of Petcore Europe's 3rd dedicated thermoforming conference is focused on PET thermoform circularity, and asks the question ‘how can collection and sorting of PET thermoforms be improved?’

Topics discussed include:

• Petcore Europe's work in connecting the thermoforming industry
• Challenges of sorting and collection
• Impact of regulation on the thermoforming market
• The need of collaboratoin in the industry
• New offerings and services that have come out of industry discussions

As demand for transport falters, and with the Middle East fighting for market share, crude oil prices may continue their downward spiral, eventually boosting chemicals demand.

- Low oil prices put money into consumers’ pockets

- Petrochemicals demand will eventually benefit from lower oil prices

- Destocking down value chains initially masks demand boost

- But trade war will likely dampen global economy, chemicals demand

- China’s move to electric vehicles will reduce crude oil demand

- Oversupply means oil price decline likely to continue

- Trade war, demand trends will drive changes in China petrochemicals