Gulf conflict pushes European chemicals industry to breaking point
Woes mount for sector buffeted by high energy prices, weak demand and cheaper Chinese competitors
Woes mount for sector buffeted by high energy prices, weak demand and cheaper Chinese competitors

A wave of cheap imports is pushing Europe’s industry to ‘breaking point’

Japan and South Korea exposed to shortages of key component for plastics

Shortage spurs surge in prices and threatens sectors from fertiliser to microchips as impact of war in Iran widens

Companies worry about effects of higher energy costs even as they get short-term advantage over Asian peers

Iran war leads to shortage of petrochemical feedstock naphtha, prompting plastic makers to hunt for cheaper alternative

US and Israeli air strikes throw energy markets into turmoil