China’s tax reform to impact bitumen from independent refiners 8 June 2021. Bitumen production from independent refiners in China is expected to shift in 2021 following the recent mandate to implement consumption tax on blendstock like “bitumen mixture” from 12 June. Learn more about the tax reform and its impact on bitumen and fuel oil prices, and the overall outlook for China's bitumen market in 2021.
Argus market update: European PVC balance set to remain tight in 3Q 2 June 2021. A flurry of domestic production issues, lower US imports and firm construction demand have tightened the European PVC balance so far in 2021. A prolonged supply crunch, coupled with a demand growth in home renovation applications such as profiles, fittings and flooring, are likely to support PVC margins further going forward. In this white paper, Argus will provide an in-depth analysis of current PVC market dynamics in Europe, and how recent expectations in supply and demand flows will drive pricing and production margins later in the third quarter.
Propylene global capacity update 31 May 2021. Propylene capacity will increase by over 30pc in the next 5 years with PDH being the fastest growing source and the refinery sector being the most vulnerable to change. This surge in new capacity is based predominantly in China where there is also strong growth in demand. But, with no clear cost leadership to incentivize investment in one geographic region, all regions are investing in new production facilities. In this white paper, we explore the issues and evolution of the various propylene sources.
Proposals for volume-weighted average price indexes 21 May 2021. Argus proposes to launch new volume-weighted average indexes for 0.5pc sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) and 0.1pc sulphur marine gasoil (MGO) bunker prices at two key European hubs — Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) in northwest Europe, and Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta in the western Mediterranean.
Tight copper concentrate supply driving calls for price transparency 14 May 2021. Electrification has been driving rising demand for copper, with prices for the refined metal recently pushing above $10,000/t and China expanding smelter capacity to meet this demand. But it is tight supply of copper concentrate — the raw material, rather than the refined metal — that is dictating prices throughout the copper supply chain.
Changing US gasoline specification changes and the impact to global trade US fuel quality standards will streamline a complex patchwork of regional specifications governing cleaner-burning reformulated gasoline in time to impact the high demand summer driving season, but how will this impact trade flows coming from Europe in the US?
Three perspectives on Greece's gas hub hopes 15 April 2021. Updates and insight on Greece's natural gas market from three industry experts discussing the country's hopes to become a hub on two axes, the planned LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis and the launch of a gas exchange trading platform.
Steel — Indexation case study for European service centres 14 April 2021. Steel prices are surging as mills with idled capacity struggle to keep pace with booming apparent demand. But rising prices are also putting pressure on old business models. In our second instalment in the indexation series, we look at how SSCs can use the dual tools of indexation and futures to prosper, despite challenges.
The Argus AGS Marker and the AGS index 23 April 2021: The Argus American GulfCoast Select Marker and Argus AGS index represent Midland-quality WTI at the US Gulf coast, where US pipeline markets directly link with global waterborne trade. The AGS methodology was expanded in March 2021 to capture the liquidity at several new locations. This white paper was updated in April 2021 to address expansions to the AGS methodology. Download our white paper to read more about Argus AGS and the latest changes.
Nola spike drives daily global phosphates prices 29 March 2021. Argus is pleased to offer a complimentary phosphates white paper providing an in-depth assessment of price movements through the lens of daily phosphate pricing in the first quarter of 2021 for the major markets of the US, Brazil, China and India.
Renewable feedstocks present new and complex opportunities The global refining industry is increasing production of renewable fuels for the transportation sector. This means renewable feedstocks — whether crop-based or waste-based — are gaining popularity in markets that were once reserved for petroleum products.
Bulgaria: New infrastructure bringing only superficial, not structural changes 26 March 2021. New infrastructure investments could, in the right circumstances, be a shot in the arm for Bulgaria's nascent wholesale gas market. But without a more concerted effort to open up access to infrastructure and to alternate supply sources for firms other than the state-owned incumbent, this potential may well go unrealised.
Renewable feedstocks present new and complex opportunities March 2021: The global refining industry is increasing production of renewable fuels for the transportation market. This means renewable feedstocks — whether crop-based or waste-based — are flooding into markets that were once reserved for petroleum products.
Special Report: Hydrogen – Hope or Hype? March 2021. Seeing through the hype and understanding hydrogen’s limits will be key to unlocking its low‑carbon potential. This special report aims to dig into the challenges and provide a realistic assessment of the plans that are taking shape, and the kind of hydrogen market that could develop.
Challenges of commercializing soluble SOP 10 March 2021. Argus is pleased to offer a complimentary soluble SOP market white paper providing an in-depth analysis of this sector, with key insights on the physical and chemical properties that drive differentiation and the nuances of pricing specialty products like soluble SOP.
