Asian Ethylene: Low trading activity makes prices stable or lower- Well-stocked buyer inventories- Some producers are discouraged by poor marginsThe Asian ethylene market prices were
steady to soft December 16, with low trade activity due to weak demand. Sources said that buyers
remained largely neutral, having purchased sufficient stocks to cover them
until mid January. However, the presence of deepsea cargos from the Middle East
increased price pressures. Some producers
from regional regions were heard waiting for higher margins before returning
the market. Southeast Asia was also quiet,
with no tenders being received for two 6,500 mt cargoes by a major producer. Some regional sources indicated that there are no immediate
upsides, even though some downstream markets in South Asia experience some
recovery. The conventional wisdom is that
Q1 is an off season for plastics. This...