Special Reports

Global petrochemical markets are entering a new decade with vast opportunities as well as challenges ahead. In this special report, S&P Global Platts takes a closer look at what to expect in the first half of 2020 – narrowing petrochemical margins on high naphtha and shipping costs, as well as changing trade flows amid trade tensions between nations and China's drive towards self-sufficiency.

At a time when the oil market is facing looming structural changes, state-owned companies are transforming themselves - not just to survive, but to thrive. As part of this change, many national oil companies are opening up, diversifying, driving a new wave of downstream development and trading businesses to reach new markets and evolve beyond just national champions.

Plastics recycling’s profile has been steadily growing, with 2018 a pivotal year for the industry as legislation, industry initiatives and consumer awareness led to a focus on waste and recycling. S&P Global Platts takes a global look at the reduction of single-use plastics and the impact of recycling on the virgin plastics market.

Global petrochemical markets are bound to face numerous challenges in the second half of 2019 with the dispute between superpowers and the emergence of China's new mega refineries impacting trade flows, demand-supply dynamics and currency fluctuations. With more new capacities coming on stream soon, turmoil may be the new norm in global markets.