Chemicals News Today

Post al-Assad's rule, Captagon production and smuggling have reduced, but not ceased. Syria's new government faces challenges in controlling the trade due to international drug networks' involvement.

Toluene prices have slightly declined, reflecting bearish market sentiment and subdued demand in key industries like paints and coatings. While domestic production remains stable, imports continue to meet the majority of demand. Global crude oil and feedstock price fluctuations, coupled with plant turnarounds in Southeast Asia, are influencing market dynamics.

China's polypropylene exports rose in 2024: homopolymer exports up 88% to 2.162 MMt, copolymer exports up 54% to 290,297 metric tons.

Sasol warns of lower sales for 2025, but expects improved margins to offset some losses. Chemical sales volumes expected to be 4-8% below 2024 levels, mainly due to weaker demand and unplanned outages.

Petronas Chemicals Derivatives' Glycol Ethers plant in Kerteh, Malaysia, with a capacity of 60,000 tons per year, will restart by end of January 2025 after being offline since early January 2025.

EDC prices held steady at $285/MT in FEA and SEA. VCM prices remained unchanged in FEA but rose to $600/MT in SEA.

Ineos Styrolution's Bayport SM unit to resume operations after power outage, stabilizing styrene supply.

India's chemical industry aims to make the country a global manufacturing hub through sustainability and innovation.

Leading manufacturer, Aether Industries Limited, acquires a strategic 15-acre (60,000 sq. m) plot in Gujarat's GIDC Industrial Estate, Panoli.

The Telangana Power Cycle Corporation (TPCC) is operating its solvents plant at a lower rate, leading to a reduction in production.