Global benzene market outlook
2015-07-10
Su probes into global benzene market from four aspects:
1. Global benzene supply and demand overview. Co-product benzene continues to dominate supply. By-product benzene production from pygas looks set to stagnate. The benzene market cannot be reliant on new supply from steam crakers.
2. Changes in global trade flows. The United States may continue replying on imported benzene. Total European benzene and net equivalent imports are expected to increase to over 1.8 million tons by 2025. Widening supply/demand imbalance across regions results in increased dependence on trade.
3. China's benzene import trend. China may become the third major import hub bidding for benzene.
4. Benzene price outlook. Benzene prices may remain range-bound but expect increased short-term volatility.