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The author discusses the move of Brazilian polymers giant Braskem SA to shift to gas-based feedstocks for polypropylene (PP) production. He stresses that the strategy is essential for the company to compete with naphtha-based petrochemical companies. Also investigated is the construction of Braskem's gas-based cracker and polyethylene (PE) facilities in the U.S. and its PE supply contracts with Enterprise Products Partners LP.

The article reports on the impact of Asia arbitrage on the increase of naphtha demand in Europe in April 2013. The arbitrage serves as the only positive factor in the market. Traders describe the shortage in Asia as deeper than the oversupply in the region. The increase in supply of naphtha is accounted to slow transatlantic gasoline demand and poor domestic petrochemical demand.

The article reports that naphtha industry in Europe depends on the weak demand of polymers in Europe. It states that naphtha price considers the markets of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) since it has low demand and the consumers seek for lower prices in May 2013. In addition, naphtha price reduce that lead to better margins for cracker operators. Moreover, PE buyer noted that they are offered for price reduction if they buy more volumes of polymers.

The article focuses on the weakening backwardation after the naphtha prices fall in Asia as of 2013. It states that the lowering oil prices contributed to the fall of naphtha prices. It says that the Indian exports are expected to grow in March, with almost 600,000 tonnes of naphtha from Indian refiners as compared to the 500,000 tonnes in February.

The article reports on the persisting tight condition in the European naphtha market in February 2013. According to a trader, the tight condition in the naphtha market is expected to last until the end of March. It mentions that prices of propane are recovering while premium are still in its record high. Moreover, buyers still require base volumes of naphtha for their businesses despite the increased demand in propane as an alternative.

The article focuses on the expectation for the strong demand for European and Asian naphtha to persist until March 2013. It says that the expectation of strong demand reflects the significant change for European naphtha market. It adds that naphtha has been the first choice as rival feedstock propane have significant prices. It mentions that the naphtha premiums in Asia will be fueled by the tight petrochemical feedstock supply and strong demand.

The article offers various insights regarding the oversupply naphtha in European market despite of an open merchandise in Asia. One trader says that naphtha supply in northwest Europe is invariant. Another states that supply and demand influences the excessive naphtha supplies in the country. Moreover, low demand for naphtha is triggered by less expensive price of propane which is an alternative source of fuel.

The article focuses on the market outlook for the naphtha industry in Europe. It states that despite the increase in demand of naphtha, the naphtha market is predicted to be oversupplied and the price for the commodity will fall. In addition, according to a producer, naphtha industry will remain negative in 2013 similar to 2012. Moreover, demand for petrochemicals such as naphtha and propane remains small as the year 2012 came to close.

The article discusses the European naphtha market. According to the author, market participants are in agreement that the outlook for Europe's naphtha market is bearish, noting that the market will likely lengthen and prices weaken as weakening refining margins continue to decline. Topics discussed include a natural correction to the market, the role of weak macroeconomics, and a chart showing naphtha spot prices between November 2011 and 2012.

The article discusses Asia's naphtha prices. According to the authors, weak petrochemical demand could push naphtha prices downward, noting that the intermonth spread between the first half contracts of January and February 2011 weakened from backwardation. Topics include statistics on intermonth spread, falling cracker operation rates, and a chart showing spot cost and freight (CFR) naphtha prices between December 2011 and November 2012.

This article discusses chemical company IHS Chemical's predictions that global benzene capacity will be dominated by Asia and the Pacific Region from 2012 to 2022. Topics include the anticipated increase in benzene demand in Asia from 2012-2016, the minimal growth of benzene production in Europe due to the lack of naphtha cracking capacity for the production of pyrolisis gasoline (pygas), and the forecasted profitability increase in the styrene industry.

The article discusses the naphtha chemical market in Europe as of September 2012, noting the influence of low demand and supply surpluses. Other topics include the downward effects of an unfavorable petroleum chemical price crack spread, naphtha supply shortages in Asia, and reduced production of naphtha in India.

The article discusses forecasts of naphtha chemical price decreases in Asia in response to lower petroleum chemical industry demand. Particular focus is given to the decision by the petrochemical company Maruzen Petrochemical to reduce the operating rate at its naphtha cracker in Chiba, Japan. Topics include ethylene price margins, proposed operating rate cuts at a PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) plant in Thailand, and the restart of a naphtha plant by Formosa Petrochemical Corp. (FPCC) in Taiwan.

The article reports that spot prices for naphtha in Asia have risen to hit an 11-week high as demand in Europe and Asia improves. The author notes that regional cracker operators do not expect the surge to continue, adding that large arbitrage cargoes from Europe to Asia could result in a tightening of the naphtha supply. Factors contributing to increased petrochemical demand for naphtha, including demand for propane as heating fuel, are discussed.

The article presents a graph comparing economic aspects of naphtha cracking and ethane cracking in the U.S. between January 2011 and July 2012, discusses the costs of naphtha feedstock compared to the net price of ethylene, and mentions the use of chemical co-products in increasing profit margins.

The article reports that the chemical compound naphtha spot prices have increased in Asia for the week ending July 20, 2012, citing price competition between naphtha and market rival, raw material propane. Topics of interest include an increased manufacturing rate and lower export quantity from India of naphtha, the potentiality for sudden drop in naphtha prices due to augmented European production, and weak demand from both gasoline and petrochemical businesses.

The article discusses the decline in 2012 global naphtha prices. The authors note that naphtha prices are falling in tandem with a drop in crude oil prices, adding that naphtha spot prices in Asia fell to a 21-month low on June 22, 2012. Topics include weak buying sentiment, the impact of a switch by cracker operators to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as feedstock on naphtha demand, and recovery in the product margins among some Asia cracker operators.

According to the article, a June 2012 surge in Asian naphtha prices may not last. The article says that a decline in U.S. gasoline consumption, low demand and oversupply in Asia, and an increase in Indian and Middle Eastern cargoes may undo the partial rebound in June Asian naphtha prices. A decrease in crude oil prices is also mentioned.

The article focuses on naphtha prices in Asia as of June 4, 2012. It states that Asian naphtha prices hit their lowest levels since mid-2011 due to subdued demand and a reduction of petrochemical prices. It mentions that the substitution of liquified petroleum gas to substitute for naphtha cracking has decreased naphtha spreads and lessened demand. It comments that an arbitrage was open from Europe to Asia, but the Asian naphtha market is also weak.

The article focuses on the possibility chemical plants in Asia may have to reduce production due to weakening derivative markets in 2012. It mentions naphtha producer Yeochun NCC (YNCC) said that negative profit margins have forced the company to cut production across its three naphtha crackers at the end of May 2012. It comments that the last time YNCC cut cracker production rates was during the global financial crisis in 2008 and talks about poor performance of polyethylene and polypropylene.

The article focuses on the European naphtha market as of May 28, 2012. It states the naphtha market continues to be weak due to muted demand, an overhang of stocks in Europe, and a lack of a viable arbitrage outlet. It mentions that weakness in the European gasoline sector could result in arbitrage opportunities if price spread widens between the U.S. and Europe. It comments on uncertainty in the Asia-Pacific region due to fluctuating feedstock crude prices and low downstream demand.

The article focuses on the naphtha market as of April 23, 2012. It states that the European naphtha cargo market in Europe is being driven by demand from the gasoline sector with higher prices in the U.S. for blending components resulting in increased gasoline blending occurring in Europe. It mentions that the petrochemical industry's demand for naphtha continues to be limited due to lower prices for propane. It comments that spot prices for naphtha in Asia declined.

The article presents a list of the top five read chemical industry news stories for the week ending April 23, 2012 and chemical industry blogs. It states the top five read news stories include the possible use of cracking liquefied petroleum gas instead of naphtha by Asian naphtha crackers, probable price hikes for European polyethylene and polypropylene buyers, and an explosion at a chemical plant in Marl, Germany. It mentions the blogs discussed the Eurozone and research into varroa mites.

The article looks at forecasts for a decline in the prices of naphtha chemicals in Asia in light of low catalytic cracker production and plant start-up delays. Other topics include the effect of gasoline industry demand on naphtha supply, the markets in Northwest Europe (NWE), Russia, and the U.S., and chemical plant turnarounds.

The article focuses Asian chemical industry including naphtha prices and discusses how Asia markets are buoyant with producers concentrating on building inventories and informs on how news of 1m tonnes of naphtha which is moving west to east fails to calm fear of shortages.

The article discusses the improvement in the European naphtha cargo market. The author notes that despite expectations of market lengthening in the latter half of January 2012, industry experts consider the market to be tight as a result of a variety of factors, including increased buying activity and open arbitrage to the U.S. Experts predict that strong premiums in 2012 are unlikely to remain at their levels as a result of cracker turnarounds in March.

The article reports on the performance of the naphtha industry in Asia during 2012. It is stated that naphtha spot prices in Asia are expected to decline because of rising supply. The temporary closure of three refineries owned by Petroplus Holdings AG in Belgium, France, and Switzerland, has reportedly had a little impact on the Asian naphtha market.

The article reports that the variable cash margins for naphtha crackers in Europe have declined to an average of 167 euro/tonne during the first two weeks of 2012, which is its lowest level since December 2010.

The article reports that Asian and European naphtha markets have gained strength riding on firmer profit margins.

The article reports that Russia's state-owned Rosneft is working to develop a naphtha cracker and downstream petrochemicals project in Nakhodka in the Primor-sky region of Russia's Far East.

The article reports on price trends for naphtha in Asia, Europe, and the U.S.

The article discusses the case study by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board on a fire that destroyed the Barton Solvents Inc.'s tank farm in July 2007 in Kansas. The study found that the fire started during a routine transfer of naphtha from a tanker truck to a storage tank owned by Varnish Makers and Painters (VM&P). The findings also revealed that the material safety data sheet for naphtha at Barton did not contain information to prevent the said disaster.

The article presents information on naphtha prices in September 2011. It is stated that following a rout in global crude markets, Asian naphtha prices are expected to decline. Also mentioned is that demand for European naphtha remains subdued, while heavy naphtha differentials remain strong on the U.S. Gulf. Graphs on natural gas prices, and global naphtha prices, are also presented.

Two charts are presented that list natural gas in the U.S. and naptha prices world wide in September 2011.

The article reports that naptha prices in Asia are expected to rise in September 2011 with prospective restart of Formosa Petrochemical Corp.'s crude distillation plant, whereas the European naptha cargo market is seemed to be on downfall due to poor demand.

The article focuses on the supply and demand in the world naphtha market. It predicts a possible rise in the prices of naphtha in Asia because of its limited regional supply, the strengthening of naphtha backwardation and the crack spread, the bullish naphtha cargo market in Europe, and a threat of oversupply in European markets in future. It also mentions a decline in the demand of naphtha from the gasoline industry and limited demand from the petrochemical industry.

The article reports that the European naphtha cargo market has become increasingly over-supplied due to poor demand. Sources said there were cargoes accumulating in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region and there is little demand for naphtha from the gasoline sector. Buyers are said to be opting for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and condensate instead. However, Naphtha prices in Asia remain firm amid higher global crude futures.

The article reports that talks regarding the cuts in operating rates among naphtha cracker operators in Asia have been faded due to the recent rebound in regional ethylene prices.

The article presents an update on the global prices of chemicals. Prices of ethane and naphtha in North America remained unchanged, while crude oil prices stayed relatively stable. Price of spot naphtha in Europe increased, while spot ethylene and propylene remained flat. In the U.S. Gulf Coast, prices of spot benzene and toluene decreased by five centavos per gallon.

The article reports on the cancellation of the plan of SP Chemicals to construct a 1.5 billion U.S. dollars naphtha cracker plant in Hoa Tam in the Phu Yen province in Vietnam. SP Chemicals attributes its decision not to pursue the project to poor economic conditions. Also noted is the expectation of the company to receive supply of petrochemical feedstocks from China.

The article reports on the commencement of the construction of Liaoyang Petrochemical Co. Ltd.'s 1.4 million t/a reforming and disproportionation unit in China. The unreconstructed t/a naphtha reforming unit is designed the address the shortage of raw materials processing capacity. Meanwhile, the project includes the pre-treatment of 1.46 million tons of raw materials and 1.3 million t/a disproportionation.

The article presents a price report for the petrochemical markets in February 2009. West Texas Intermediate crude oil dipped $2.62/bbl to $34.93/bbl and Brent crude skidded almost $5/bbl to $39.44/bbl. North American spot naphtha dropped about 8 cts/gallon. However, the economics of ethane cracking are still favored over naphtha cracking, sources say.

The article reports that Daelim Industrial has been awarded a contract by JG Summit Petrochemical Corp. to build a previously announced naphtha cracker in the Philippines. JG Summit has previously announced that the cracker would be built in Batangas, located 125 kilometers south of Manila, and cost $600 million. JG Summit is also reportedly in talks with refining company PTT Philippines Corp. on joint petrochemical projects in the country.

This section offers world news briefs related to the chemical industry. China's petrochemical demand is expected to slow after peaking in 2007, as macroeconomic controls, high crude oil costs and heightened environment and safety awareness curb usage. Asia's naphtha market may tread on a sorer note in 2008 from heavier cracker turnarounds that are planned in the northeast in the second half. Mitsubishi Chemical, the Japanese major, shut its No. 2 cracker in Kashima after it caught fire.

The article continues a previous discussion on controlling a mundane naphtha stabilizer. Operating a debutanizer at an unusually low proportion of C (sub 5) can produce a substantially higher LPG yield penalty. Under these conditions it makes economic sense to utilize APC on the column. Foregoing APC would require regular lab support and operator training.

The article discusses controlling the distillation columns known as "stabilizers" that remove liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from naphtha. Because the LPG that has to be removed is commonly butane or isobutane, the columns in question are better described as "debutanizers." The article discusses the relative merits of rectifying tray and stripping tray temperature controllers.

The article discusses the challenges facing the naphtha industry due to inadequate refineries. A source from the petrochemical industry advises producers to focus on enhancing refinery integration and on understanding the pressures on refiners. The author cites that the need to find enough feedstock will pose a problem to naptha cracker operators. Paul Hodges of International eChem predicts that the naphtha industry would be tight in 2009 with a possible market rebalancing by 2010.

The article explores the impact of Formosa Petrochemical's naphtha cracker in Taiwan for the plastics industry in Asia. The impending start-up of Formosa Petrochemicals new naphtha cracker in Taiwan, which is to produce 1.2 million tonnes/ year of ethylene, along with other downstream products, will have an immediate negative effect on Asia's plastics sector. Scott Weaver, a senior analyst at Macquarie Securities, said the new capacity will result to a downturn in petrochemical conditions.

The article reports that the naphtha hydrogeneration unit in Dalian Petrochemical Co. Ltd. was conducted successful wet commissioning in Liaoning province, China. Information about the total capacity of the hydrocarbon recovery unit is presented. The author also discusses the benefits of the new unit for the company.