Argus Media

The Polyethylene and Polypropylene markets across South and West Africa continue to evolve in response to shifting global trade flows, changing supplier strategies and regional demand dynamics.

 

In our latest podcast, Dila Odluyurt, Senior Reporter, Chemicals explore the key factors shaping these markets, including:

 

• The impact of ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflict on supply chains and product availability

• How suppliers have adjusted pricing strategies in response to changing market conditions

• Seasonal demand patterns and purchasing trends across key African markets

• Feedstock considerations and how market participants manage procurement and supply security

• Emerging opportunities and challenges for buyers, traders and distributors

• What market participants should watch in the months ahead

Overview

In this episode, Argus examines new US export controls on tungsten scrap and battery black mass, introduced as part of a broader effort to secure domestic critical mineral supply chains. Our experts discuss the immediate market impact, the implications for recyclers and processors, and whether similar measures could spread to other metals and regions.

Covered in this episode

• What the new US restrictions on tungsten scrap and battery black mass mean for exporters, recyclers and consumers
• How the measures are affecting prices, trade flows and domestic processing capacity in the US
• Why tungsten and battery materials are increasingly being treated as strategic resources
• Whether similar export controls could be extended to other critical minerals and non-ferrous scrap streams
• How the European Union is approaching scrap retention and critical raw material security
• The long-term implications for recyclers, global trade and vertical integration across metals supply chains

Speakers

• Ronan Murphy, Editor, Argus Non-Ferrous Markets
• Reagan Patrowicz, Reporter, Critical Minerals Markets
• Cristina Belda, Associate Editor, Battery Materials
• Zach Schumacher, Editor, Argus Scrap Markets

Saudi crude looks relatively cheap for a European buyer, after state-owned Saudi Aramco cut its official formula prices for European buyers by more than expected. This would benefit European refiners in September, who have been scrambling for medium sour crude since the start of the US-Iran war.

In this episode, Argus Crude deputy editor Lina Bulyk and Mediterranean crude reporter Ellanee Kruck discuss how the Mideast Gulf supply will shape Europe’s medium sour markets in September.

Key topics include:

• How do Aramco and Somo official prices for September compare to rival spot grades
• How does Aramco export its barrels amid the US-Iran war and Houthi threats
• What does this mean for the European medium sour market next month

 

How are ethylene and propylene prices established in one of the world's most influential olefins markets? As trade flows evolve and pricing mechanisms continue to develop, the US market offers valuable insight into how prices are discovered, referenced and negotiated across the olefins value chain.

In this episode, Craig Barry, Lead Olefins Consultant and Michael Camarda, Senior Editorial Lead for US Olefins, discuss the factors shaping ethylene and propylene pricing in the US and what sets the market apart from other major regions.

 

 

 

Listen to learn more about:

 

• Why the US market has become a key reference point for global ethylene and propylene pricing.

• How spot market activity has changed the way market participants assess value and negotiate contracts.

• The differences between US ethylene and propylene markets, including the growing role of pricing indexes.

• What expanding exports and changing market fundamentals could mean for olefins pricing in the years ahead.

 This episode is part of the Olefins Market Structure & Pricing podcast series, where Argus experts share insights into the pricing mechanisms and market dynamics shaping ethylene and propylene markets across Asia, Europe and the US. Bringing together perspectives from each major region, the series highlights why pricing practices differ across global olefins markets, how prices are established and referenced, and the market fundamentals that influence commercial pricing decisions.

As North American fuel flows shift, El Paso is becoming a more important pricing point for gasoline and diesel moving across the Southwest. In this episode, Amanda Hilow (Distillates Editor, US Products) and Jared Ainsworth (Gasoline Editor) discuss the launch of Argus’ new El Paso assessments, including Argus ULSD fob El Paso and four new gasoline assessments covering regular and premium CBOB. 

The conversation looks at why El Paso’s role is growing as Gulf Coast supply moves west, California refinery capacity tightens, Arizona seeks more secure inland routes and Mexico remains a major outlet for US gasoline exports.

 

 

In this episode, Savannah Resources' chief executive Emanuel Proença joins Argus battery materials reporter Chris Welch to discuss the economics behind Barroso's definitive feasibility study, the outlook for European refining projects and how Portugal, Spain and Morocco could form part of a regional battery ecosystem.

Key topics include:

• Results from Savannah's definitive feasibility study
• Why Barroso can remain competitive without European refining
• The role of AMG and other offtake options
• Lithium demand growth beyond EVs
• Challenges facing policymakers and investors in critical minerals markets

Podcast summary:

This podcast explores how escalating Middle East tensions disrupted crude and clean tanker markets in June-July, driving volatility in freight rates, trade flows and shipping risks.

The discussion focuses also on the growing role of AWRPs in the Middle East and alternative loading routes, including Argus' new clean tanker freight assessments from the Gulf of Oman and India's west coast.

Key Topics Discussed

• Escalating security risks in the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
• The impact of the conflict on crude tanker freight rates and vessel availability.
• Volatility in CPP tanker markets across the LR2, LR1 and MR segments.
• Rising AWRPs and their influence on freight costs.
• Alternative loading routes and the launch of Argus' new clean freight assessments from the Gulf of Oman and India's west coast.

Asia’s olefins market is highly integrated, with most ethylene consumed internally and only limited volumes available for trade.

In this episode of the Chemical Conversations series, Argus' Sarah Rae, VP for Ethylene and Derivatives, speaks with Toong Shien Lee, Head of Olefins Editorial, about how ethylene and propylene markets in Asia are structured and priced — and what sets them apart from other regions.

Tune in for insights on:

• Asia’s olefins market structure and trade flows

• Why oversupply is driving buyers toward spot deals

• How contract prices are settled and formulas applied

• How PDH economics are shaping Asian propylene prices

 

This episode is part of the 'Olefins Market Structure & Pricing' podcast series, where Argus experts share insights into the pricing mechanisms and market dynamics shaping ethylene and propylene markets across Asia, Europe and the US. Bringing together perspectives from each region, the Argus team highlight why pricing practices differ across global olefins markets and the market fundamentals that influence commercial pricing decisions.

 

Listen to the other episodes in the series for a global view of olefins markets, and check back soon for upcoming releases.

 

Learn more about Argus' Polymers Analytics service covering supply-demand fundamentals, capacities and detailed expert insight for the polyethylene and polypropylene markets: https://view.argusmedia.com/polymers-analytics.html

As renewable fuel mandates tighten and advanced feedstocks become increasingly important, the HVO market is entering a new phase of growth. In this episode, Argus experts explore the policy, pricing and demand trends shaping renewable diesel markets across Europe, with a particular focus on Germany and the launch of the new Argus Class V HVO assessment.

Key topics:

• Germany's rapidly expanding HVO market

• The impact of evolving EU renewable fuel policy

• Growing demand for advanced biofuels

• The launch of the Argus Class V HVO benchmark

• HVO commoditisation and pricing

Global tackifier markets are navigating a period of uncertainty as changing trade flows and shifting feedstock economics continue to influence supply chains.

 

In this podcast, Leonardo Siqueira, Editor, Pine Chemicals, and Steve Williams, VP, C5 and Hydrocarbon Resins, discuss the outlook for hydrocarbon resins and rosin ester tackifiers. Recent disruptions have highlighted the close relationship between natural and petroleum-derived feedstocks, creating new challenges for buyers navigating an increasingly interconnected market.

 

Listen to the podcast to:

 

• Understand the factors influencing global tackifier supply and demand

• Explore the relationship between hydrocarbon resin and rosin ester markets

• Hear how geopolitics and feedstock availability has impacted pricing

• Identify key trends shaping market developments in the months ahead

 

This podcast draws on insight from Argus Pine Chemicals and Argus C5 and Hydrocarbon Resins.

 

Argus will be attending the World Adhesives Conference (WAC) in London, 16-18 September. Visit our stand to speak to our market specialists about the latest developments in tackifiers, pine chemicals and hydrocarbon resins. Click here to register.