The Weekly Catalyst

Global Chemical Update – In The Days Of Slowness
August 15, 2022
Report Sections:
Feedstocks & Energy, Global Ethylene Cracker, Spot Profit Analysis, Ethylene & Propylene, Price Trends, Polyethylene Review, Other Relevant Global Polymer Trends, Other Relevant Global Chemical Trends, Global Chemical Data Sheets, Flow Charts & Other Ancillary Data
Companies Mentioned:
LyondellBasell, Dow, ExxonMobil, CP Chemical, Formosa Plastics, Westlake, Nutrien, CF Industries, LSB Industries

The Weekly Catalyst

Global Chemical Update – In The Days Of Slowness

Key Points:

  • Global chemical sector indicators suggest margin pressure in 2H22, as production cost curves flatten and prices reflect downward pressure. Agriculture remains a notable sub-sector bright spot.   
  • Ex-US naphtha values fell to a YTD low relative to USGC ethane values last week, depicting a flatter global ethylene cost curve at the feedstock level. Europe’s naphtha values fell relative to Asia.
  • US spot ethylene, propylene, and benzene values reflect support WoW, but all three reflect sizable declines relative to YTD highs. China polymer prices mostly moved lower with feedstocks WoW.
  • Macro indicators for farmer income improved WoW. Corn, soybean, and canola prices increased WoW, with US corn prices rising more than soy, though fertilizer price movements varied globally.

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