The global primary aluminum market “is moving towards a deficit in 2018, and larger than earlier forecast, driven by slower-than-expected supply growth,” Norwegian producer Hydro said Wednesday in its third-quarter results statement. Production outside China is expected to increase by 1%-2% in 2018, the company said, adding that while production of primary aluminum in China

Singapore — Seaborn medium and high grade iron ore prices on CFR North Asia basis reached new highs Tuesday on strong demand from Chinese steel mills, who were restocking ahead of the winter season, market sources said. S&P Global Platts assessed the 62% Fe Iron Ore Index at $70.55/dry mt CFR North China Tuesday, up

Houston — US September propylene contract prices showing a 1-cent decrease compared with August were accepted by a marketwide majority, sources said Friday. The decline is in line with most initial settlements from a week earlier. The 1-cent decline took the September polymer-grade propylene contract price down to 60 cents/lb ($1,323/mt) and the September chemical-grade

Valeric anhydride (C10H18O3) CAS number 2082-59-9, also known as n-valeric anhydride, pentanoic anhydride, pentanoyl pentanoate and pentanoic acid, is mainly used as a synthesis reagent in intermediate pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical steps. The most common application is in the production of the API – Butylphthalide. Used to treat hypertension and claimed to have neuroprotective effects. A

London — The crude complex was trending higher on Wednesday morning in early European trading, despite US crude inventory data showing a build in stocks, with the market likely more focused on tightened market fundamentals, analysts said. At 1110 GMT, ICE October Brent crude futures were up 24 cents/b from Tuesday’s settle at $76.19/b, while

Houston — US stocks of propylene for non-fuel use increased in the week ended August 15, representing a seventh consecutive week of growth, Energy Information Administration data showed Wednesday. Non-fuel use propylene stocks increased by 151,000 barrels last week to 3.108 million barrels, EIA data showed. Stock levels were also up by 284,000 barrels from

Pittsburgh — Canada is opening a 15-day consultation period to look into the harm or threat of harm from steel imports to domestic producers, Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Tuesday. Speaking to reporters at ArcelorMittal’s Dofasco plant in Ontario, Morneau said the “unfair tariffs” levied by the US is causing other countries to seek alternative

Tokyo — Japan’s Nippon Steel & Sumikin Stainless Steel Corp or NSSC Wednesday cut its August prices for austenitic stainless cold rolled coil and plates for distributors by Yen 5,000/mt ($45/mt), its first cut since August 2017. It kept ferritic CRC prices for August unchanged. NSSC does not disclose its list prices. The current market

As the consumption of natural gas in China grows, the country is set to become the largest importer by next year, with liquid natural gas (LNG) as its main import. The consumption of natural gas is expected to keep rising, with imports reaching 171 billion cubic meters in 2023. This result was announced during a

As the trade war between China and the US escalates, fewer vessels carrying US liquefied natural gas (LNG) have arrived in China over the past two months. China, which purchased 14 percent of all US LNG shipped between February 2016 and April 2018, has taken delivery from just one vessel that left the US in