Argus Media

Korea Commodities Market Highlights Episode 4

South Korean thermal coal prices dipped slightly amid quiet trading, while major utilities issued large tenders and received guidance to limit Russian coal to about 10% of imports. Weather‑related delays tightened inventories. Wood pellet prices weakened on soft demand. Korea advanced its energy transition with major renewable expansion plans, a new clean‑energy pact with Sweden, and a 25‑billion‑won decarbonisation auction. Electricity prices were frozen despite high winter demand. Refiners prepared for significant spring maintenance that may tighten fuel supply. Base‑oil exports were stable year on year.

Falando de Mercardo: Argentina - El boom del GLP y el impacto en el Cono Sur

Argentina está entrando en una nueva era energética. La reciente liberalización del mercado de GLP—después de décadas de control estatal— esta impulsando crecimiento. Con nuevos proyectos en marcha que van ayudar a levantar la capacidad para procesar y exportar más GLP, Argentina no solo está batiendo récords de exportación: está redefiniendo el mapa energético del Cono Sur y mas alla. 

Global LPG Conversations: Could Ethane's Boom be Stalling?

US ethane output has surged since the country became an exporter. As potential recovery upsides shrink, could that trend slow down? Peter Wilton, Argus’ editor of International LPG in London, joins US NGLs reporter Joseph Barbour in this podcast to discuss historical and future trends in ethane recovery in the US. 

Biomass Beat: The Changing Compliance Landscape for US Biomass Producers

In this episode of the Biomass Beat podcast series, Argus' Hannah Adler speaks with Sarah Crow, CEO of New March Strategies, to discuss how the US biomass sector is responding to newly revised SBP risk ratings. They explore what these changes mean for forest owners, biomass producers, and the supply chains that link them. 

Tune in to hear insights on: 

• What the new SBP risk rating revisions mean for US forest owners and biomass producers— including how the EU’s land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector shapes US forestry perspectives.
• How sustainability standards interact across the Atlantic, and the biggest misconceptions Europeans hold about US forestry practices. 
• What producers need do to adapt, from sourcing strategies and supply‑chain due diligence to the rising role of AI, remote sensing, and contractual safeguards. 

Argus offers biomass prices, news, analysis, and consulting. Get more information and request a free trial. 

Methanol Market Trends, China MTO Outlook & MTBE Analysis

Welcome to this Methanol Market Puts-and-Takes podcast episode, part of the Chemical Conversations series.

In this episode, Senior Fuels and Octane consultant Roel Salazar and Dave McCaskill, VP of Methanol & Derivatives discuss:

• Methanol market headlines during the first 2 months of 2026.
• China MTO production and outlook
• Methanol derivative demand and challenges.
• Iranian methanol production
• Global MTBE market analysis

Argus offers methanol prices, news, analysis, forecasts, and consulting. Get more information and request a free trial.

Falando de Mercado: E-combustíveis e a descarbonização do transporte marítimo

Os combustíveis sintéticos se destacam como uma rota promissora para alcançar zero emissões líquidas de gases de efeito estufa no transporte marítimo até 2050. Natália Coelho, colaboradora do relatório Argus Marine Fuels, e Pâmela Machado, que cobre hidrogênio e derivados, discutem as oportunidades e desafios em torno desses combustíveis limpos, incluindo o recente adiamento da votação sobre precificação de carbono na Organização Marítima Internacional. 

Market Talks: E-fuels and decarbonization of maritime transport

Synthetic fuels stand out as a promising pathway toward achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transport by 2050. Natalia Coelho, a contributor to the Argus Marine Fuels report, and Pamela Machado, who covers hydrogen and derivatives, discuss the opportunities and challenges surrounding these clean fuels, including the recent postponement of the International Maritime Organization’s vote on carbon pricing. 

Hablando de Mercado: Combustibles sintéticos y descarbonización del transporte marítimo

Los combustibles sintéticos se destacan como una vía prometedora para alcanzar emisiones netas cero de gases de efecto invernadero en el transporte marítimo para 2050. Natalia Coelho, colaboradora del informe Argus Marine Fuels, y Pamela Machado, quien cubre el hidrógeno y derivados, analizan las oportunidades y desafíos en torno a estos combustibles limpios, incluida la reciente postergación de la votación sobre la tarificación del carbono en la Organización Marítima Internacional. 

Driving Discussions: The Gasoline Glut - Markets Out of Balance

As part of our 5-part series looking into the outlook for refined products in 2026, this episode takes a deep dive into the global gasoline market.

The global gasoline market saw unseasonable strength in the final quarter of 2025, and this episode breaks down what’s behind it. We also discuss how EV adoption, policy shifts, and blending mandates are reshaping demand across key regions, assess the impact of new mega‑refineries on traditional trade flows, and highlight the critical drivers to watch as we move into 2026.

Gasoline cracks surprised to the upside in late 2025, peaking in November across Europe and Asia as widespread refinery maintenance in Asia and the Middle East tightened supply. But moving further into 2026, gasoline cracks are expected to come under pressure from more consistent gasoline supply and lengthening balances, particularly in the Atlantic Basin.

Listen to our market experts, Emma Pike - Gasoline Analyst, George Maher-Bonnett – Deputy Editor and Asill Bardh – Senior Reporter, as they discuss the latest developments shaping the global gasoline market, reflect on how it evolved through 2025, and outline the critical drivers to watch as we move into 2026. 

Asia’s Bitumen Shift: Trade Flows, Freight, and Future Demand

In this episode, our market experts examine how shifting trade flows, growing shipping uncertainty and evolving supply dynamics are reshaping the global bitumen landscape in 2026. Importers across Asia are navigating longer voyage times, tighter vessel availability and escalating freight costs, all of which are creating greater unpredictability in securing prompt cargoes. The discussion also delves into Asia‑Pacific’s rapidly changing supply picture, driven in part by a sharp rise in Chinese exports. Competitive pricing from China is increasingly redefining traditional trade relationships across Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand.

The episode further explores how infrastructure spending trends are diverging across major regional markets. China faces slowing growth, while India, Southeast Asia and Australia continue to benefit from stronger project pipelines. These contrasting demand trajectories highlight how broader economic conditions, government investment and market maturity are influencing consumption patterns. Collectively, these factors illustrate a bitumen market in transition, shaped by new trade routes, shifting competitiveness and evolving regional demand.