North America
Peak season closes with modest PP, PE gains in China, except for LDPE’s strong stand
The PP and PE markets in China slipped into November with a stable-to-softer tone, wrapping up the peak “Golden September – Silver October” season. Yet, golden opportunities for polyolefin sellers to boost margins proved elusive, as price hikes came in fits and starts. While PE—particularly LDPE film—managed a steady climb, PP struggled to gain traction from the very start, finding little solid ground to stand on amid shifting market dynamics... 06-11-2024
India finally announces ADD on S-PVC imports: What’s in store for subject countries?
The long-awaited announcement of India’s anti-dumping duty (ADD) on suspension-grade polyvinyl chloride (S-PVC) imports has finally been made public. As the world’s largest PVC buyer, India's decision holds significant implications for global PVC markets, especially for the exporting countries involved. The new provisional duties aim to shield India’s domestic industry from a flood of low-priced imports that have been impacting local producers... 05-11-2024
Turkish PE players hunt for signs of a market bottom amid pending Nov offers
With its healthy premium over Asia now gone, Türkiye's import PE market saw players searching for signs of a market bottom over the week. The market has been in flux amid the recent gains in shipping costs, poor netbacks that may repel global sellers, the potential year-end lull prior to the book closures and the foggy demand outlook. While Middle Eastern offers were yet to take shape, most projections called for minor price changes... 04-11-2024
Freight rates rise after prolonged slump; is this rebound here to say or just a dead cat bounce?
Proving speculations right about higher freight rates out of Asia that first kicked off early last week, global benchmarks have risen this week following continuous decreases since mid-July. Currently, the question is whether this increase will be sustained. Although some anticipate ex-China rates will climb higher due to increased buying activity around the year-end, higher blank sailings and November 1 rate hikes from shipping firms, others believe that the downward trend will persist... 01-11-2024
