“Tackling supply issues amid high growth”

Gathering of Global Producers & Traders

“Cumene supply prices remain very high due to the elevated values for raw materials…extremely high energy prices have not allowed benzene values to ease…Propylene also remains very expensive…due to energy…” – www.plastemart.com, 28 Nov 2007

Over the past year, high raw materials prices (benzene & propylene) have put a margin squeeze on the industry. Strong energy prices and good demand growth have created tightness in feedstock markets. Will the emergence of new production technologies providing alternative sources of feedstock improve the situation? While energy prices will undoubtedly remain high, relief is expected to be provided by the loosening of demand/supply balance as new crackers and PX capacities are being added.    

Producers have opinioned that escalating EPC costs are also hampering decisions to add on capacities.  Meanwhile, the global phenol industry is booming, clearly driven by Asia where a series of downstream expansions continue to occur.  Demand is not being satisfactorily met, and is exacerbated by the shortage of cargo coming from Europe and USA, due to operating issues and delays in plants coming onstream.  There are expectations by traders that until 2010, when the mega projects by Ineos (Europe) and Ertisa come on-stream, will the tightness be eased. How will the inter-regional trades change?

In China, Ineos and Kingboard Chemical are the latest entrants.  How will these latest capacities impact the demand/supply equation?  Are previously announced projects progressing on schedule?  Evonik Industries will also be building a new MMA plant in Shanghai, which is scheduled to come onstream in mid-2009.  How will the China market evolve?  The conference aims to clarify key concerns with an analysis of the situation in China.

Acetone demand has been relatively strong compared to previous years.  Will BPA/PC continue to drive the growth, since optical discs demand will remain stable in the coming years?  How long will the demand sustain, before acetone reverts to its long position?  What will also be the prospects of other acetone-derivatives such as MMA,
Epoxy Resins, and Solvents? 

Into its 5th year, CMT’s annual Phenol/Acetone conference includes
vital sessions as:

• Propylene & Benzene overview – Pricing, Markets & Technologies
• Global Cumene/Phenol/Acetone market developments
• Derivatives review – Phenolic resins, BPA/PC, Epoxy resins, MMA, Solvents
• Storage & logistical challenges
• Production flexibility - Controlling Acetone imbalance
• Managing imbalance of Phenol/Acetone

Attended by the key players and majors of the Phenol/Acetone industry,
this is an event which you will want to be seen.  Register early with your team
to secure your seats and hotel bookings now!  Please go to www.cmtevents.com
or send in your registrations to sasha@cmtsp.com.sg

You will network with
Presidents, MDs, SVPs, VPs, GMs/Managers from Commercial/Foreign Trade,
Sales & Marketing,  Market/Business development departments,
Planning/Business Analysts, Global Sourcing, Procurement  Heads,
Plant Managers, Traders of Petrochemicals (Olefins/Aromatics),
International & regional Phenol/Acetone,  Derivatives (Bisphenol A (BPA),
Polycarbonate (PC), MMA, Phenolic resins & Epoxy resins), Solvents,
Consulting companies, Financial Institutions/banks, Additives &
Technology companies and Bulk liquid Shipping/Logistics/Storage companies