Episode 1126: Red Sea issues dominate; underlying demand yet to recover in the Europe phenol, acetone and derivatives markets

Red Sea shipping issues have been the hot topic in Q1 with import delays opening up domestic demand opportunities and leading to a firmer price sentiment in some markets. There have been some increase in buying in January, but underlying demand is yet to recover in a shaky macro-economic climate. Europe ICIS editors Jane Gibson (acetone and phenol), Heidi Finch (bisphenol A and epoxy resins), Mathew Jolin-Beech (methyl methacrylate) and Meeta Ramnani (polycarbonate) discuss the impact of rising sea freight and feedstock costs in the acetone, phenol and derivatives markets.