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Industry sources reported ‘tight supply in Asia and US, as well as expectations of higher crude prices, will play a part in boosting benzene values in this region’.

Benzene prices in Asia are expected to strengthen in 2010 on the back of healthy demand from downstream styrene market in Q1. As we proceed into Q2 and forward, will demand and prices of styrene monomer continue the uptrend as global economy sets its recovery?

Following the recent successful start up of Shell’s ethylene cracker in Singapore last month, recovering markets have also pushed the upcoming US$2bn Jurong Aromatics Corporation (JAC) plant on track for completion in the first half of 2013. The JAC plant is anticipated to be among the most competitive petrochemicals facilities in the world.

Jiangsu Sanfangxiang (SFX), a leading petrochemical industry player is an example of one to take advantage of the upcoming positive market. While having a 10 – 25% stake in the JAC cracking plant, it’s also looking at plans to invest in an aromatics complex in China.

Asia, and in particular China, remains as a key player in the global aromatics industry and one to keep an eye on.

6^th Asia Aromatics & Derivative summit brings together top panelists from petrochemical giants, SINOPEC and Petrochina to share their perspectives on current vital issues and the challenges ahead.

• Take away essential updates on new aromatics projects, new capacities and China’s growth opportunities.
• Also hear reports on other Asian market updates, from Reliance, PTT & Petrovietnam, to complete a thorough discussion on the Asian aromatics and derivatives markets.

Register with your teams today and save! Save your seat here.

Shell announced it has successfully started up the ethylene cracker at its Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex (SEPC) project in Singapore, producing on-specification ethylene on 22 March 2010.

The 100% Shell-owned ethylene cracker complex (ECC) has a capacity of 800,000 tonnes of ethylene per annum, as well as 450,000 tonnes of propylene and 230,000 tonnes of benzene. These olefins and aromatics products are petrochemical ‘building blocks’ that will be used primarily for downstream chemical plants located on Jurong Island, including the Shell mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) plant. The availability of these additional feedstock will support the growth and diversification of Singapore’s chemicals cluster... Read more here.

The above is good news not only for Singapore but also the rest of APAC & Middle East petrochemical industry which is enjoying positive growth and low labor costs with new projects leading the growth in China, Thailand, India and South Korea.

To keep abreast of all these new projects within the region CMT will host a two-day conference on the 6^th Asia Aromatics & Derivatives meeting this June! Some of the key highlights include:

• Find out China’s upcoming projects and feedstock acquisition strategies by SINOPEC
• Cost-benefit analysis of Thailand’s Integrated Aromatics Refinery by PTT Aromatics and Refining
• Opportunities in Vietnam and its aromatics and derivatives demand led by Petrovietnam Research and Development Center for Petroleum Processing
• Preview on Iran and India markets from Iran Petrochemical Commercial Company and Reliance Industries Limited.

To find out more on the 6^th Asia Aromatics & Derivatives >>click here<<