Oversupply Pressures Affecting Global Petrochemical Markets: Petrochemical markets are evolving

摘要

2015 has been a challenging year for the global petrochemical market. The collapse in crude oil price and changes in international gas markets have had a significant impact on petrochemical prices and have triggered a shift in the competitive position of global petrochemical producers. The drop in naphtha prices has re-addressed the competitive position of European and Asian petrochemical producers versus Middle East and US producers. European and Asian naphtha based crackers have re-gained some competitive strength versus ethane based crackers and enjoyed stronger margins throughout 2015.