SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China's rapid expansion of styrene monomer (SM) capacity has transformed the country into an increasingly important exporter. By mid-2024, China's export volumes had overtaken imports, prompting ICIS to launch its FOB China SM assessment in August 2024. China became a net exporter in 2025, and growing liquidity has since increased the relevance of the FOB China benchmark.

In this podcast, Senior Editor Luffy Wu reviews the progress of ICIS' SM FOB China daily assessment since its launch two years ago and looks ahead to some of the improvements and plans in the pipeline to better serve the market.

• China becomes net exporter in 2025 amid capacity growth
• Jan-Jul exports hit 860,000 tonnes, filling supply gaps left by Mideast suppliers
• FOB China quote attracts rising attention, but CFR China conventions persist

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--India's dependence on polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) imports from the Middle East has made the country vulnerable to disruptions stemming from the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

In this podcast, ICIS market specialist Aswin Kondapally discusses feedstock constraints on domestic production, how China has helped bridge supply gaps, and the shifting priorities of buyers navigating logistical uncertainty.

This is part two of a two-part series.

• PP imports from China surged to 45% in early 2026, supplementing SEA cargoes amid Mideast disruptions
• Buyers prioritize shipment reliability over price amid logistics delays, freight uncertainty
• Buyers hesitate to place new orders amid delays of previously booked cargoes

The summer lull continued to limit spot business across Europe's oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets, while Rhine water levels fell to exceptionally low levels through much of August, disrupting logistics and restricting barge traffic. Although recent rainfall has provided some relief, Rhine logistics remain a key uncertainty as market participants turn their attention to the traditional late August-September restocking period.

Oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate reporter, Marion Boakye, joins acrylate esters editor, Mathew Jolin-Beech, and glycol ethers editor, Cameron Birch, to discuss current conditions along the oxo-alcohols value chain.