Under Pressure: Weather extremes take toll on chemicals industry The fire at the Dow Glycol II unit, the INEOS pipeline explosion, or the olefin unit fire at Shell’s Deer Park, are just a few of the 100 chemical accidents in the USA thus far in 2023. Texas holds the largest share with 27 incidents according to the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters. On average a chemical fire, explosion, or toxic release occurs every two days in the USA.
India’s hydrogen strategy: Implications for its clean/conventional ammonia and fertilizer industries In this comprehensive white paper, Argus analyses India’s hydrogen strategy and the implications for its clean ammonia, conventional ammonia and fertilizer industries.
Can Opec+ surprises bring market stability? June’s meeting of Opec+ ministers delivered another surprise for oil markets. After catching the market off guard in April with a 1.2mn b/d package of voluntary cuts agreed by a group of producers, the June meeting agreed to extend those cuts to the end of the year, with Saudi Arabia adding an additional 1mn b/d cut of its own, initially just for July. Find out more in this white paper.
European Electricity: Argus Summer 2023 Preview July 2023. In this white paper, our European power team goes through the outlook for summer 2023 by looking at some of the key questions in the market now.
Polyethylene Contract vs. Spot Prices in the USA Polyethylene supply in the US is increasing at a time when demand is showing signs of weakness. Argus' polymers expert Terry Glass looks at what a transition in buying activity might mean in terms of prices, whether spot prices have an influence on contract price movements, and what this impact might be.
Key Questions Answered - Global Coal Outlook 2023 and beyond After the recent webinar, we received many inquiries from attendees. We reviewed all the submitted questions and identified the most common themes. We have responded to some of the most relevant inquiries. If you are interested in finding out more, please read on………
The growing importance of Chinese sulphuric acid freight routes June 2023. In this concise market insight paper, Argus analyse the growing importance of Chinese sulphuric acid freight routes, focusing on China to East Coast India (ECI) and China to Chile.
Argus adjusts PVC contract markers down to reflect new base prices for 2023 Weak demand and oversupply prompted European and US PVC producers to adjust their 2023 base contract prices outside of the typical monthly negotiation period. This white paper discusses the Argus PVC methodology, the most recent annual contract marker adjustment for 2023 and the ties to price indexation.
The European bitumen market today: Sanctions, supply, demand and pricing European Bitumen & Asphalt Conference was held in May 2023 in Nice, France, where Keyvan Hedvat, Europe/Africa Editor, Argus Bitumen, and Tom Woodlock, Market Reporter, Argus Bitumen, presented a picture of bitumen, crude and fuel oil price volatility in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine's LPG market adapts to new realities After Ukraine was invaded in February 2022, the country was forced to abandon its traditional reliance on LPG imports from the east, switching to full supply from Europe. What supply challenges has the LPG market faced?
Rising European ethanol use sparks changes in gasoline benchmarks EU-wide targets, stemming from mandates such as the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive, have driven the uptake of ethanol-blended gasoline across Europe. After extensive consultation with market participants, Argus will evolve the methodology for its gasoline benchmarks to reflect rising adoption of E10 gasoline.
South African coal exports shift to Asia as European demand wanes When Europe stopped imported Russian coal in August last year, South Africa emerged as a key supplier to the continent, reprising a role it once held many years ago. But as European inventories have filled – and demand for coal dropped off – South African coal flows have tilted to Asia, with sellers capitalising on a recent convergence between Russian prices and other key global benchmarks.
NW Europe biofuels bunker demand from ships without scrubbers to rise in 2024 Vessels traveling in EU territorial waters will have to begin paying for their CO2 emissions starting next year. As a result, demand for biofuels for bunkering from vessels without scrubbers could increase in northwest Europe. By contrast, vessels with scrubbers could continue to burn high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) in the region. Continue reading in the white paper.
US Consumption of Plastics Goods and Polyolefin Demand. Argus recently launched a monthly outlook service for polyethylene and polypropylene spot markets. This white paper discusses trends and possible impacts for spot resin trading activities for the next several months. Argus' polymer expert Terry Glass analyses data from the Global Trade Tracker and ACC’s Plastics Industry Producers’ Stats Group report. Published May 2023.
Red light to Bluewashing Policymakers, journalists and consumers are grappling with unfamiliar production modes for commodities. For a short while definitions will be up in the air, offering a “Wild West” for product marketers.
