Premium News

How did the Mid-East war shock Asian polyolefin markets just in one week?
by Esra Ersöz
The Middle East war has left one week behind with big reverberations on the rest of the world, as the region is not only a major exporter of crude oil, LNG and LPG, but also a crucial seller of petrochemicals. Asian markets are feeling the pain. The question now is: is there more ahead?...
2026-03-06

Major Indian producer skyrockets local PP, PE offers as Mid-East turmoil deepens
by ChemOrbis Editorial Team
The latest revision comes just days after earlier increases announced on March 1 and March 3, further accelerating the rapid price discovery process triggered by the escalating Middle East conflict and the resulting disruption to global supply chains…
2026-03-06

Maersk suspends key services linking Asia, Mid-East, Europe amid escalating security risks
by ChemOrbis Editorial Team
A.P. Moller-Maersk has moved to further tighten its operations in the Middle East, announcing the suspension of two key container services as security risks in the Gulf region continue to escalate...
2026-03-06

Brent climbs to $87 on Friday after closing Thursday above $85 despite US efforts to cool market
by ChemOrbis Editorial Team
Oil prices remained elevated on Friday, with Brent crude holding above $87/bbl after settling at its highest level in recent months a day earlier, as Middle East supply disruptions tightened global markets. The rally comes as the halted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and a US waiver allowing India to purchase Russian crude reshape global oil flows…
2026-03-06

China’s local ethylene, propylene markets rally amid supply fears
by ChemOrbis Editorial Team
Rapid price escalation reflects both tightening spot availability and surging upstream costs, with crude oil, propane, and naphtha prices rising sharply following the outbreak of war in Iran…
2026-03-06

Maersk suspends cargo bookings across Gulf, keeps select ports operational
by ChemOrbis Editorial Team
The latest measures go beyond the precautionary vessel rerouting announced earlier in the week. On Monday, the carrier said it had halted transits through the Strait of Hormuz and paused Trans-Suez sailings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Suez Canal, while continuing to accept cargo for the region where possible...
2026-03-05

SE Asia PE sees influx of re-export offers from China as Mid-East sellers retreat
by Merve Sezgün
Chinese exporters have redirected PE cargoes to Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam, after Middle Eastern producers halted offers. With limited supply options and tight spot availability, buyers are facing high offers while remaining cautious due to weak downstream demand and shipment delay risks…
2026-03-05

Europe’s PVC market jolted by energy shock as Middle East turmoil reverberates globally
by Manolya Tufan
European PVC markets have been thrust into renewed volatility after the sharp escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East triggered an energy price shock not seen since the 2022 crisis. While Europe is not facing an immediate supply shortage of PVC, soaring upstream and logistics costs are rapidly reshaping pricing strategies, trade flows and buyer behaviour across the bloc...
2026-03-05

Asian ethylene: Prices surge as US-Iran war sparks panic buying, supply fears
by Jennifer Lee
Asian ethylene prices surged following the US-Iran conflict, as panic buying, feedstock volatility and shipping risks triggered sharp spot gains, particularly in South China. Additional cracker rate cuts in South Korea and precautionary measures across the region are expected to tighten olefin supply further in the near term…
2026-03-05