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The article offers information on orthoxylene (OX), a commercial isomer of xylene which is used to make phthalic anhydride to manufacture flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and unsaturated polyester resins and alkyd resins. Topics include supply and demand of OX, with China being the largest importer of OX in Asia; end of exports of spot OX by Formosa Chemical and Fibres Corp. due to a turnaround; a fall in the OX prices in July 2017; and outlook for its supply and demand.

The article reports on a decline in the demand for mixed xylenes imports due to the consumption tax imposed by China. Particular focus is given to topics including the opening of aromatic plants to increase the production of isomer-grade xylenes, the impact of the supply and demand imbalance on xylene prices, and purchase of alternative blending components due to tax on gasoline.

The article presents an overview of the capacity demand of soft xylene in Asia. The topics discussed include the decreasing demand of imported isomer-grade xylene, the forecasted plant capacity of petrochemical company CNOOC Huizhou Refinery in July 2017, and rise of domestic xylene production capacities in China.

The article discusses the possibility of decline in freight rates for petrochemical cargoes loading from the Middle East, as a result of demand for spot tonnage. It mentions slowdown in the Chinese markets and an increase in the tankers number for deployment would drive the decline. It also mentions China is reducing its reliance on Middle Eastern petrochemical cargoes imports due to economic slowdown, high debt levels and overcapacity for chemicals.

The article reports on regaining of Northeast Asia orthoxylene (OX) spot prices along with uncertain market outlook unless changes in demand supply pattern. Topics include players unwilling to take stance due to expectations of weakness persisting until mid-May as end-users covered requirements with previously purchased cargoes, gains due to turnaround at some OX plants and downwards pressure on OX demand & prices from hauling of operations at phthalic anhydride (PA) plants in eastern China.

The article discusses the expected continuing downtrend in the prices of isomer-grade xylene in Asia. Topics covered include details relating to the domestic prices of xylene in China as of February 14, 2017, the noted factors that boosted the supply of isomer-grade xylene in northeast Asia, and the potential impact of the restored aromatics production of Ningbo Zhongjin Petrochemical in China.

The article reports that due to sale tenders and limited buying interest, spot availability of February-loading isomer-grade xylene volumes in Asia. It is stated that a technical issue at downstream complex made an Iranian producer is preparing to sell 10,000 tonnes of mixed xylenes (MX) via tender. It is also mentioned that stock inventories along eastern China has steadily risen in the previous weeks despite limited import activities.

The article reports that the price of orthoxylene (OX) will increase with improved demand in northeast (NE) Asia. It mentions that the end-users expects tightened demand and supply, as the price increase. It states that buyers are focused on domestic market for prompting delivery cargoes. It mentions that the Sinopec, OX company raised OX offers in east China.

The article reports that traders have considered diverting isomer-grade xylenes to the U.S. market due to concerns of a lengthening spot isomer-grade supply from Asia in October 2016. Topics include the opening of the Asia-U.S. isomer-grade xylenes arbitrage window in the midst of higher prices in the U.S. Gulf Coast, the move by some traders to sell their September-loading cargoes to U.S. buyers, and the isomer-grade xylene plant by the company Hyundai Chemical in Daesan, South Korea.

The article reports that freight rates in Southeast Asia are expected to fall. Ship owners with vessels available for loading in the last fifteen days of May 2016 are finding it difficult to find cargoes. According to a ship owner, there are no new palm oil enquiries heading to India or petrochemical cargoes.

The article reports that Asia solvent-grade xylene's (SX) six consecutive weeks of gains in early 2016 have come to an end with prices remaining under pressure because of decreasing demand. Topics covered include free on board (FOB) Korea SX prices peaking at 620 U.S. dollars per tonne on March 18, 2016 and fluctuating stock markets and weak currencies leading to a slowdown in SX consumption and demand from China.

The article reports that prices of Asia orthoxylene are expected to soften due to bearish downstream, and also due to a previous rally that had driven end-users' margins into the negative territory. Topics discussed include the decline in demand from downstream phthalicanhydride (PA) end-users, and a fall in derivative dioctyl phthalate (DoP) spot prices.

The article provides an outlook for paraxylene (PX) in 2016. Topics covered include the primary factor that will determine demand for isomer-grade xylene, the projected decline in export volumes from Japan and the merger of Tonen General and JX Nippon Energy & Oil. Also mentioned is the plan by JX Nippon to reduce its excess refinery capacity, as well as the consolidation of the businesses of Idemitsu Kosan Co. and Showa Shel Sekiyu KK.

The article presents outlook for orthoxylene (OX) in the northeast (NE) Asian market in the fourth quarter of 2015. It forecasts OX demand and supply and reports the production output of two South Korean OX producers, the limited spot OX cargoes of Taiwan's Formosa Chemical & Fibre, and the decision of Sinopec Yangzhi Petrochemical to shut down its OX unit in Nanjing, Jiangsung, China. Also noted is the outlook for downstream markets like phthalic anhydride (PA) and 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH).

The article forecasts the aromatics market in Asia to remain sentiment-driven in the fourth quarter of 2015, with prices expected to track crude movement as demand rises. Data provided shows China's annualized third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth, prices of benzene, toluene, styrene monomer, paraxylene, and isomer-xylene. Update is also offered on the demand and supply for these aromatics.

The article reports that the prices of spot isomer-grade xylene in Asia increased to the highest level as of October 9, 2015 due to reported gains in both upstream and downstream markets. Topics cited include details relating to the spot prices of isomer-grade xylene in Korea, details relating to the isomer-grade xylene production in Japap, South Korea and Taiwan affected by scheduled maintenance works and the reported lackluster demand due to long holidays in China, South Korea and Taiwan.

The article presents chemical profile of Orthoxylene (OX) along with information on its supply and demand, price and production technology. Topics discussed include application in manufacturing phthalic anhydride (PA) to make flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC); impact on supply due to closure of OX facilities by chemical firm Jurong Aromatics in Singapore and manufacturing of OX from production of mixed xylenes involving catalytic reforming of naphtha.

The article reports on the unpredictable rise and fall in prices of isomer-grade xylene in Asia. Topics include the link to downstream paraxylene (PX) as well as purified terepthalic acid (PTA) prices, the shutdown of Japan's Taiyo Oil Kikuma plant and the resumption of PX production of the plant by S-Oil in South Korea. Also mentioned were the feedstock spot trading by Hyundai Cosmo Petrochemical (HCP) of South Korea and reduced PX outputs by the Qingdao Lidong plant in China.

The article reports that ethanol prices have reached a four-year low level in the Asian petroleum industry as of March 2015. It states that the prices have been affected by low lower value of Brazilian currency and mentions that oil traders have been uncertain in negotiating with Brazilian cargoes. It cites that according to data released by Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil ethanol stocks have become higher in the country.

The article reports on the rebound of isomer-grade xylene spot prices in Asia and mentions topics including the tight supply of isomer-grade xylene and the contribution of a rise in upstream naphtha prices on the increase in isomer xylene prices.