Episode 1406: Think Tank: Asia chemicals see more competition from low cost producers in China, US

Chemical markets across Asia are seeing more trade flows from low cost producers such as China and the US as competition grows amid rising overcapacity.-          Asia downstream markets not expected to recover until 2027/8-          Low cost producers such as US, China, competing for market share-          US tariffs, sanctions disrupting regional chemical markets-          Moves in China, South Korea, Japan to close uncompetitive plants may help rebalance markets-          China producers are exporting to other regions, such as Latin America-          New China acetic acid plants add 10% to capacity in 2025-          Downstream demand growth not keeping pace-          Since the podcast was recorded on 3 November, a major plant has shut, driving up demand for imports into India, potentially widening arbitrage for Atlantic spot trades  -          In China, retirement of older acetic acid plants unlikely to offset capacity addition in near future