Peroxide- or thiadiazole-cured CPE exhibits good thermal stability up to 150°C and is much more oil resistant than nonpolar elastomers such as natural rubber or EPDFM. Commercial products are soft when the chlorine content is 28–38%. At more than 45% chlorine content, the material resembles polyvinyl chloride. Higher-molecular-weight polyethylene yields a chlorinated polyethylene that has both high viscosity and tensile strength. often provided for research as a 50% suspension in water, wh
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US-Canada tariff escalation disrupts chemical trade flows, prompting industry caution over impacts on PVC, polypropylene, and methanol derivatives used in automotive and construction sectors.
European caustic soda producers face increased competition and reduced export prospects due to new EU-US trade deals and competitiveness issues. Senior analysts discuss the market outlook for caustic
Shin-Etsu Chemical reported a 3.5% increase in net profit for the fiscal first quarter while adjusting PVC prices due to rising feedstock costs. The company also saw growth in electronics materials dr
Hanwha Solutions plans to reduce PVC operating rates from 80% to 60%-70% starting mid-June due to negative margins. This adjustment covers 800,000 metric tons of annual capacity amid falling market pr
Chemplast Sanmar reported a 9% revenue increase and narrowed losses for Q4 FY24. Its PVC segment benefited from dealer restocking despite VCM price spikes due to Middle East tensions, while caustic so
ICIS editors analyzed Asia olefins and vinyls markets, covering ethylene and PVC trends amidst shifting trade flows driven by surging Chinese exports during the Mideast conflict.
Middle East conflict tightens global PVC and chlorvinyl markets, though rising Chinese production drives prices down as the sector rebalances. ICIS analysts outline Q2-Q3 market scenarios for Europe a
Westlake Chemical faces its first-quarter earnings test with analysts anticipating narrower losses driven by potential PVC price rallies and cost-saving initiatives. Recovery hinges on stabilizing pet
ICIS Europe's weekly roundup highlights rising PVC prices, BASF securing US LNG supplies, and major firms pushing back on packaging waste regulations. Additionally, European chemical spot prices rever
Orbia CEO forecasts PVC prices stabilizing around $800/tonne due to Middle East conflict disrupting Asian feedstock supplies. The company anticipates passing cost hikes to customers while leveraging i
China's chemical exports surged in March due to high domestic capacity and Middle East supply disruptions. Key products like ethylene, methanol, and PVC saw significant growth driven by arbitrage marg
Shin-Etsu Chemical's US subsidiary Shintech plans a $3.4 billion expansion in Louisiana to boost PVC and caustic soda capacity by 2030. The project adds new ethylene and VCM units to strengthen integr
Orbia forecasts moderate Latin America PVC growth by 2026, as Brazil's demand offsets Mexico's construction slump. Despite global oversupply, trade measures and policy shifts may support prices.
AGC reported a 1.6% decline in chemical sales for 2025 driven by weaker essential chemicals and lower PVC prices, offset partially by growth in performance chemicals.
China will eliminate VAT rebates on PVC exports starting April 1 to address domestic overcapacity and boost industry profitability.
Westlake Chemical closed a PVC plant amid falling prices, signaling potential global production cuts in 2026. Market analysts predict supply contraction despite high trade volumes and varying regional
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