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The article reports that the U.S. benzene value had a lower spread than toluene by 2 cents per gal in the first 3 quarters of 2015 compared to its 2014 level. Topics discussed include the spread change was affected by factors like crude oil price drops and rising imports, the International Trade Commission revealed that U.S. benzene imports grew by 18 percent in 2014, and toluene-benzene conversion processes like toluene hydrodealkylation and selective toluene disproportionation.

The article attributes the increase in U.S. phenol prices for October 2015 contracts to U.S. benzene contract prices for the same month. Data presented shows the October phenol and benzene contract prices. It reports the impact of poor market economics, including the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of phenol producer Haverhill Chemicals and the closure of the Axiall phenol/acetone plant, on U.S. phenol production and operating rates of producers.

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.

This section offers news briefs on the global chemical industry as of October 26, 2015 including European benzene spot prices, the spot ethylene prices in Asia and the tight polyethylene (PE) supply in Europe.

The article reports on the decline of European benzene spot prices in the week ending September 20, 2015, which is said to reflect the downward movement in the U.S. Gulf market. Topics covered include the role of good cracker margins in keeping European output rates stable, the declining demand for polystyrene (PS) and expandable polystyrene (EPS), and the relationship between U.S. prices and the European benzene market. It is said that any further imports into Europe will be limited.

The article reports that the recovery of spot prices of acetone in China may be derailed by soft raw material gauges and ample spot cargo availability, according to market participants. In the week ended September 11, 2015, spot acetone prices settled at an average of 522.50 U.S. dollars per tonne cost and freight (CFR) China. Other topics covered include raw material propylene prices, benzene prices, and the status of bisphenol A (BPA) plants of producers Nan Ya Plastics and Samyang Innochem.

The article focuses on the need for a downward correction of the European market, which many benzene players claim had been overpriced for some time. Topics discussed include the triple-digit drop in the European September 2015 benzene contract, the impact of China's surprise devaluation of its yuan currency versus the U.S. dollar in mid-August, and the doubts expressed by industry players surrounding market direction for the rest of 2015.

The article reports on contract price of raw materials assessed by Independent Chemical Information Service (ICIS) as of July 31, 2015. It focuses on the increase in the U.S. polystyrene (PS) contracts along with benzene. It mentions the increase in charges for customers with PS contracts. It adds the increased charges of the firm Styrolution.

The article reports on decline in benzene prices in the U.S. and reduction in monthly contract settlement due to decline in sport prices in the European benzene market in August 2015. Topics discussed include decline in benzene prices and softening in benzene buying interest; impact of liquidity on prices of benzene in Europe, and dampening effect on pricing from the emergence of South Korean imports. It mentions role of the gasoline blending in the benzene market.

The article reports on nylon producer BASF's plan to raise prices for its nylon 6 polymer and feedstock caprolactam in North America in July 2015. Topics covered include the failure of earlier attempts to increase prices, U.S. contract prices for upstream benzene, and similar price increases sought by other producers such as Honeywell. News that some producers had lowered their prices to retain market share and remain competitive is also mentioned.

The article discusses the reversal of the average price spread between benzene and toluene in the U.S. market. It takes note of outages in styrene production operations depressing benzene prices even as demand for toluene by gasoline fuel blenders has risen ahead of the summer driving season. Data from the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers association indicating build-up of benzene inventories is also discussed.

The article discusses the global market for linear alkylbenzene as an intermediate material for producing the surfactant linear alkylbenzene sulphonate or linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acid. It takes note of low demand pressing down Chinese production while the southeast Asia and India markets continue to grow in spite of tight normal-paraffin feedstock supply. The drop in June 2015 import prices following contract movements for feedstock benzene and jet kerosene is also discussed.

The article discusses the decline in spot prices for styrene in the European market after slowdown in end-user demand and corrections on availability in May 2015 halted price increases. It is noted by a derivative producer that inventory may hold up until July 2015 and that the price spread between benzene and styrene is acceptable to manufacturers. It adds that limitation of downstream operations of styrenics users during the holiday season will affect the pricing cycle.

The article discusses the expectation of derivative demand from China and the Middle East driving up spot pricing for benzene with contract settlements for Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp in the European market recovering from June 2015 levels. It takes note of resumption by a styrene unit in the Middle East pulling in Asian benzene exports. Improvements in the status of cracker facilities in Europe and the onset of holidays in the second half are also expected to impact the market.

The article discusses the intention of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene producer SABIC to join manufacturers Styrolution and INEOS ABS in raising prices for their Cycolac, Terluran and Lustran ABS in the North American market. It takes note that prices for the Magnum resins of producer Trinseo would also be raised in June 2015 due to higher benzene raw material prices. It adds that traders doubt the new prices will hold after benzene prices settle downward.

The article discusses the recent performance and outlook for the benzene chemical market as absorbed by eythylbenzene to styrene, cumene to phenol, and cyclohexane to nylon manufacturers. It takes note of American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers data showing inventory oversupply in the U.S. as downstream styrene underwent turnarounds and outages during the first quarter of 2015 while benzene contract prices were observed to recover in May 2015.

The article reports on the flat rollover price forecast for epoxy resin prices in the U.S. in 2015. Topics discussed include the rising feedstock costs but with a heavy inventory, the delivery in bulk (DEL bulk) basis prices reported by the Independent Chemical Information Service (ICIS) and the rising benzene values.

The article reports that the U.S. contract prices for April 2015 styrene were increased as on May 8, 2015 due to stronger spot styrene and feedstock benzene. Topics discussed include shutdown of Americas Styrenics plant in St James, Louisiana in late April 2015 due to severe weather, growth in benzene spot prices throughout April 2015 and increase in contract prices for May 2015 benzene.

The article highlights the increased U.S. benzene contract prices that were agreed for May 2015 and also mentions the changes in contract prices since February, the confirmed deals from March to May, and the factors affecting spot benzene prices in the U.S. and Asia.

The article reports on the higher contract prices of U.S. cumene than benzene as of April 24, 2015 attributed to mixed feedstock price movement.

The article reports on the expected increase in the price of spot European benzene. It mentions factors contributing to the price increase which include higher U.S. pricing and steady exports from the region, the settlement of the March European benzene contract at 611 dollars/tonne free on board (FOB) northwest Europe (NWE) and the negative impact of styrene turnarounds in the region on the offtake of benzene.

The article focuses on efforts of European phenol manufacturers to improve profitability by increasing prices. It states that conversion ratio of feedstock to product has impacted prices of phenol and benzene and mentions that increase in spot prices of benzene along with weaker euro may improve profitability. It cites that fees of benzene are decided by contract negotiations between buyers and seller in the chemicals industry.

The article reports on the status of the European styrene/benzene market as of March 23, 2015. Topics discussed include an increase in European spot styrene prices, the relatively flat prices of benzene, and the strong demand for styrene. Also mentioned are the turnarounds at regional plants and the limited volume of U.S. styrene imports.

The article reports on the decline in the benzene contracts with split settlements in the U.S. in March 2015. Topics discussed include low benzene spot prices, weak prompt material demand, and decreased gasoline prices. Weak crude markets in the country and across the globe until April of the year is also projected.

The article reports on the unclear direction of the spot benzene market in Europe ahead of the March 2015 contract settlement. Topics discussed include the downward trend on benzene prices in February due to the build-up of domestic length, average prices of benzene and the tendency of many petrochemical companies to stick with naphthalene due to the tight supply of propane.

The article discusses an expectation by players in the European benzene market that the market will remain in a strong contango in March 2015 due to fluctuations in pricing in February. Topics covered include the correlation between crude oil movements and benzene spot values, the value of benzene bids and offers as of February 17, and the effect of the upward trend in naphtha prices on the benzene/naphtha spread.

The article offers information on the U.S. polystyrene (PS) market, the drop in contract prices due to the plunge in energy markets, prices for bulk general purpose PS (GPPS) Delivered (DEL), bulk high-impact PS (HIPS) DEL, and the link between PS reduction and spot prices for feedstock benzene.

The article reports on the decline expected for European monthly crude methyl di-p-phenylene isocyanate (MDI) contract prices in February 2015 based on upstream benzene cost relief over recent months, low seasonality and ample supply. Topics include the possibility of price reductions for crude MDI in some cases, the lack of market confirmation to substantiate any price rollovers for crude MDI monthly business in February 2015, and switch from quarterly to monthly contract prices in early MDI.

The article reports on the decline registered by the European cyclohexane February contract following the confirmation of the upstream benzene February contract settlement on February 2, 2015.

The article discusses the decline of the contract prices of benzene by 9.0% for seven months in the U.S. Topics include the statement of senior director Peter Feng regarding the signs of life shown by the styrene market, the data compiled by the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers showing the 112.0 million gallon of the inventories of benzene during the fourth quarter, and the influence of crude oil on contract prices of benzene.

The article looks at poor margins for phenol in Europe as of January 16, 2015. Phenol price has been affected by drop in benzene price amid lower crude oil price. Also mentioned is the increased capacity in China which is lengthening global supply which prompted producers to keep their margins to compensate for lower profits.

The article discusses the different properties, uses and pricing of cyclohexane (CX), and chemical industry developments relating to CX. Topics covered include details relating to the European contract price of CX and benzene, the supply and demand status of CX in the European market, and the technology used in producing CX. It also discusses the author's outlook with regards to the supply and demand status, pricing and trading of CX in the European market.

The article discusses the decline in expandable polystyrene (EPS) prices in the U.S. and Mexico as of January 6, 2015. It reports that January marks the fourth month of declines in EPS spot prices, following the plunge in crude oil, particularly feedstock benzene which is sourced from catalytic reforming or steam cracking of liquid petroleum feedstocks. It cites EPS spot prices in the U.S. and Mexico and mentions major North American EPS producers including BASF, Nova Chemicals and Styrochem.

The article offers an outlook for European methyl di-p-phenylene isocyanate (MDI) contract prices for January to March 2015 according to market players on January 7. Price reductions for MDI are expected due to substantial benzene cost relief, lower production costs, and weak demand during the winter in the construction and wood sectors. Prices for pure MDI are seen to soften to a lesser extent than for crude MDI in January due to seasonal demand differences.

The article discusses factors affecting the outlook for pricing and sentiment in Europe's styrene market in 2015. Topics addressed include the effect of lower oil and benzene prices, the Asian styrene market's collapse, and concerns about the free on board (FOB) Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) barge contract in Europe. Also mentioned are slow downstream demand for styrene, increased styrene imports into Europe, and challenges in the polystyrene and expandable polystyrene markets.

The article focuses on the data issued by IHS Chemical which shows that the contracts for the chemical compound Benzene for the month of January have been settled in the U.S. at $2.20 per gallon and is the lowest value in more than five years.

The article offers outlook on the global supply and demand trends for the benzene value chain in 2015 through 2019. Data provided indicate the volume of production, as well as the changes in the capacity utilization rates and production capacity for benzene and its derivatives including cumene, cyclophexane (CX) and styrene.

Statistics are presented showing the regional breakdown of benzene value chain prices including the percentage drop in Asia benzene as of January 2015, the peak price of Europe styrene in January 2014, and the price per tonne for U.S. benzene in December 2014.

A list of the most read stories on the chemical business as of January 5, 2014 is presented including the 2015 oil demand growth forecast by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the decline in polyethylene (PE) prices in South East Asia, and the increased spot prices of Eurpean benzene.

The article focuses on the price status of benzene and toluene in the U.S. as of December 2014. Topics discussed include the outlook which shows that the trend regarding the price dropped for the two chemicals will continue in 2015, benzene contracts and trading, and value loss of toluene. The insights of Peter Feng, senior director of aromatics at IHS Chemical, regarding the prices of the two chemicals are also discussed.

The article reports on the decline of toluene and benzene prices in the U.S. Topics mentioned include the effects of crude oil prices in the decline of benzene and toluene prices, the insights of Peter Feng, senior director of aromatics at research firm IHS chemical, on the energy prices, and the supply of toluene and benzene in Asia.

The article reports on the severe price declines of derivatives and petrochemicals in Asia. Topics covered include the major contributing factors such as the collapse in crude oil and weak demand. Also mentioned are China's peak manufacturing season, the widespread anecdotal reports of anemic buying of raw materials in general, and the spot price declines in paraxylene, ethylene and benzene.

The article reports that Asia's spot adipic acid (ADA) prices for Chinese-origin cargoes drop to a record low the week ended December 12, 2014 amid sharp drops in values of feedstock benzene and crude oil. Topics covered include the regional prices of feedstock benzene, how major Chinese and global suppliers were being forced to cut ADA offers, and the year-end destocking activities in the market.

The article reports that phenol prices into India may drop further after dropping to a three-year low on December 9, 2014. Topics covered include the average phenol prices into India, further losses in the feedstock sector, and the steep decline in the local Indian market benchmark. Also mentioned are the raw material benzene prices and the co-feedstock propylene prices.

The article reports that phenol prices in India declined to 1,252.50 dollars per tonne cost and freight for the week ending November 28, 2014. It states that a rebound in raw material benzene prices resulted in an upswing in the sentiment of Indian buyers in the week ending November 21, but declines in benzene and crude oil prices caused market participants' confidence to fall. It comments on a downturn in China's market which could result in lower-priced trades into India.

The article discusses the declining U.S. polystyrene (PS) contract prices in November 2014 due to falling raw materials, and mentions topics that include details relating to the cuts in contracts, weakened demand for PS, and details relating to benzene spot prices.

The article discusses reduction in toluene contract settlements in Europe due to low toluene demand, and mentions topics that include the declining Europe toluene market, comparison between toluene trading in November 2014 and December 2014, and declining benzene spot prices.

The article reports on the increase on the contract price for epoxy resin for October 2014. Topics discussed include the mixed price movement of epoxy resin since July, the decrease in prices for feedstock benzene and propylene, and the supply and demand for epoxy resin for the third quarter of the year.

The article reports on the initial contract prices for European methyl diphenylene isocyanate (MDI) for November 2014. Topics discussed include the rollover of MDI prices from the previous month, the anticipated supply and demand for MDI in November, and the impact of the upstream benzene situation on the November prices of MDI.

The article discusses buyers expecting reduction in the prices of nylon products. Topics include European caprolactam (capro) buyers targeting reductions in the prices, reduction in the price of cyclohexane and prevalence of economic uncertainty due to rising benzene and oil prices. Also included is chemicals company LANXESS restarting its production.