US-Iran conflict reshapes the global naphtha market

Listen to our experts (Toong Shien Lee - Deputy Editor, Erol Musov - Analyst and Jide Tijani - European Naphtha Analyst) analyse how the sudden escalation in US–Iran tensions and the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz have upended the global naphtha market.

With tanker movements collapsing, export hubs damaged and loadings slowing sharply, Asia has absorbed the brunt of the shock, as nearly two‑thirds of its naphtha imports transit the strait. Meanwhile, Europe and the US Gulf Coast remain comparatively stable thanks to more diverse supply chains and stronger domestic production.

The podcast also explores how petrochemical producers across Asia are responding and how the tightness may cascade through ethylene, propylene and polymer markets. Medium‑term fundamentals are discussed: weak petrochemical margins, the impact of new cracking capacity in China and South Korea, and the growing role of gasoline blending in managing naphtha balances.

Find out what these shifts mean for naphtha balances in the months ahead, how long Asia’s supply shock could last, and the key market signals to watch as the industry navigates one of its most volatile periods in years.