Supply Situation Chinese Chemicals

The supply situation for Chinese chemicals is more volatile than we’ve seen in 10 years. A new raft of stringent anti-pollution measures is forcing thousands of China’s chemical factories into permanent or temporary shutdowns. At Partners in Chemicals we’re seeing a new reality for the chemical business in China: shortages of raw materials, longer lead times and rising prices.
The main purpose of China’s “Cease-Work Orders” is to optimize the atmospheric environment and control increasingly severe haze weather especially in the winter season. The specific measures include stopping and limiting production for industrial enterprises that may cause atmospheric pollution. It will affect the supply situation of Chinese chemicals.
Illegal dumping of chemical waste hits clean factories too
China is focusing not just on reducing its infamous haze but also on cleaning up the disposal of chemical waste. Traditionally many parties have resorted to illegal dumping rather than pay high disposal prices (USD 2,000 per metric tonne). The authorities are now introducing severe measures to tackle the problem. But the infrastructure just isn’t in place to deal effectively with all the waste. So it’s a vicious circle. If a plant can’t access proper facilities for chemical waste disposal, it’s deemed to breach regulations and will be closed down
There’s a random element too. If one producer on an industrial park breaches regulations, the Chinese authorities can temporarily close all the facilities on the complex: even companies like ours which have invested in modern state-of-the art facilities. And even if you make 100% of the changes required, you could be still closed down if someone dumps waste near your plant.
Of course we applaud the Chinese authorities for taking action on the environment. But as far as we can see, the severity and speed of the new measures are taking everyone by surprise.
Prepare for chemical price rises and longer lead times from China
In a volatile situation, one thing you know for sure is that prices of chemical supplies will rise along with lead times. Our advice is to order as early as you can. Our factories in Jiangsu and Hebei province have implemented most of the new regulations and are producing at full capacity. This is also the case for our contract partners in China. We’re working round the clock with our partners to manage the situation and obtain up-to-date and reliable information. To assess the options for our production partners and our clients.
What we know:
- The Cease Work Order will run for 6 months from October 1 2018 to March 31 2019 in the Beijing – Tianjin and Hebei province.
- The geographical scope has also been extended to the Yangtze river delta region. Many chemical manufacturers currently located along the Yangtze river will be shut down, relocated or renovated by 2020.
- In the Shandong province alone the authorities have already permanently closed 620 chemical facilities this year and stopped production at 2,614 others pending rectification measures.
- The number of cities involved is increasing from 28 to 80.
- The shutdown affects several industries in China including: chemicals, petrochemicals, thermal power, steel, non-ferrous (non-alumina), cement.
What we expect short-term
- Lead times for Optical Brighteners, UV Absorbers and Light Stabilizers of between 10 to 12 weeks (if the product is available)
- Price rises
- Shift from long-term pricing to spot pricing for chemicals
- Increased pressure on the Chinese chemical manufacturers that are open
- More stringent environmental measures in China through to 2020
What you can do
- Contact us to make a clear forecast together and discuss the current local stock levels available
- Lay in a stock of products
- Keep in touch for the latest information
The world of fiber applications
Today, more than half of all fiber consumed is synthetic. For example, polyamide (PA), polyester (PE),…
“Gorgeous modification” of Benzotriazole UV absorber
Omnistab UV 360 is a very efficient benzotriazole UV absorber. It has good UV absorption…
Expectations early 2021
This year was different from other years and a huge challenge for everyone. Working differently…
The advantages of efficient cleaning
Our branch office in Dubai, ICG Specialty Chemicals FZCO, has signed a distribution agreement with…
New product groups
New product groups coming soon! We are continuously working on our product portfolio to serve…
Today’s highlight is a triazine UV absorber
A triazine UV absorber has excellent properties. In addition, the dosage you need to put…
Antioxidant for long-term thermal stabilization
Looking for an antioxidant for long-term thermal stabilization? You probably need an asymmetric hindered phenol…
UV Absorber used in a wide wavelength spectrum
According to the different wavelengths, the UV light can be divided into three wavebands. UV…
Temperature resistant anti oxidant
An excellent temperature resistant anti oxidant is the Omnistab AN 80. The organic combination of…
PP Fibers
Looking for more stability of your PP fibers? Our Omnistab LS 119 is the right…
PE wax
In this article we will explain the characteristics and features of polyethylene wax (PE wax)….
Evaluation of new light stabilizers
Choosing your product among all available light stabilizers in the market is challenging. Based on…
Light stabilizer 2020
As of June 2020, we expand our product range with the development of, ironically, Light…
Sustaining Textile
Producing sustainable products is a hot topic. Especially in the field of clothes, it all…
Prolong the lifecycle of your engineering plastics
Engineering plastics instead of metal? Yes we can. In this article we will explain why…
UV absorbers in cosmetic industry
Sunscreen is an eternal topic in cosmetics, but it cannot exist without UV absorbers in…
Chinaplas 2021
Under current circumstances of the COVID-19, the Chinaplas will be postponed again. The 34th Chinaplas…
Omnistab Additives in Water-based Coatings
Water-based coating are coatings that uses water as a diluent and does not contain organic…
Corona virus
In this news letter we give you an update regarding to the latest Corona virus…
Additives for polyolefins
Polyolefin is a type of polymer of olefins. For example, polypropylene or polyethylene. In this…
Principles of stabilizers
Light stabilizers are important additives in rubber and plastic applications. In this article we focus…
Happy Chinese New Year
It has been a pleasure to work with you this year, we wish you a…
Anti yellowing agents
We launched two anti yellowing agents, Omnistab HN 130 & Omnistab HN 150. Both are…
Happy holidays
On behalf of our team: we wish you happy Holidays, all the best to you…
Comparison test PA6 with Omnistab LS 5519
In October we introduced the new light stabilizer for Polamide (PA); Omnistab LS 5519. To…
Light stabilizer for nylon – Omnistab LS 5519
Omnistab LS 5519 is a highly efficient light stabilizer for nylon. For example, polyamide (PA)….
K fair 2019 in Düsseldorf
Your global Partners in Chemicals will be exhibiting at the upcoming K fair in Düsseldorf…
Liquid Anti Oxidant
In the world of additives you see a large group of anti oxidants in powder, granular and flake form. However, if you are looking for a liquid anti oxidant
UV absorber for agriculture film
There are many different UV absorbers, but there is one that really stands out if…
Natural Rubber Latex
Since the start of Partners in Chemicals we offer the market Natural Rubber Latex. Natural…
Explosion Eastern China
An explosion at a pesticide plant in eastern China is the latest in a series…
End of cooperation with the NRC Group
Partners in Chemicals has decided, in mutual agreement with Nordmann Rassmann (NRC), to end our…
Evaluation of three UV absorbers
In this article we evaluate three different UV absorbers. They have advantages and associated characteristics….
High performance light stabilizer for coatings
In this article we highlight the performances of our Omnistab LS 123. This product is…
Near Infrared Absorber for Laser Beam Welding
Laser Technology Laser technology was originally used in 1970 to weld plastic film with CO2…
Introducing N3coat
It’s all about people “I believe in an honest and open way of doing business….
Omnistab NIR LW
The right laser absorber The diode laser has a wavelength of 800 ~ 1000nm and…
How to stop the yellowing of polyurethane flexible foam
A great number of manufacturers, including those that make high-grade sponge, have tried different solutions….
Liquid triazine UV absorber
Omnistab UV 400 is a liquid triazine UV absorber for coating products. We specially developed…
Chinaplas 2017
Partners in Chemicals presents Together with Longquan Chemicals, our booth in Hall 9.3 on stand…
Daniel Knegt
ITU WPS Gold Coast Recently he participated in the ITU WPS Gold Coast with his…
OMNISTAB UV 1600
Restrain on Chinese chemical production
The Chinese government started a straightforward campaign to decrease water pollution to control the waste…
ICG Specialty Group expands portfolio
The ICG Specialty Group is a global supplier of polymer additives whose proprietary Omnistab brand…
European Coatings Show 2016
During the European Coatings show we also showed the new generation product: Omnistab NIR. Its…
New environmental laws implemented
Why is the Chinese Chemical industry struggling? “There is still large gap in result between…
Introducing partnership with Deltachem
A Chinese partner of choice “We work with people from the Netherlands, China, Israel, Dubai,…