You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make her drink. That seems to be the critical message from the current state of US PVC export demand. This should be booming, based on the cost advantage provided by shale gas. But reality is different, as the chart based on Global Trade Information Services data shows:

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario (June 18, 2013) — Three things are noteworthy about China's truck tire industry, according to Boudewijn De Loose, global marketing manager of Bekaert Corp.: production overcapacity, a virtually non-existent retreading sector and a continuing measurable demand for bias-ply tires.

Open-spec H1-August prices fell by US$4-5/ton from Monday to US$879.50-882.50/ton CFR (cost & freight) Japan on Tuesday because of overnight losses in crude futures, ICIS data showed. Naphtha prices in Asia may slide further on the back of a regional supply glut and modest demand from crackers. Also, naphtha crack weakened to a one-month low of US$88.03/ton against Brent crude futures at the close of trade on Monday, down by 2.4% from 14 June- with naphtha spread at its weakest levels since 16 May.

Both local and overseas suppliers to China issued small increases on their ABS prices after returning from the Dragon Boat festival last week, as per ChemOrbis. The producers’ price increases were attributed to higher feedstock costs. Spot styrene prices on an FOB South Korea basis climbed US$15/ton week over week, supported by firmer energy markets while spot ACN prices are holding steady.

The global carbon fiber market is forecast to experience double-digit growth annually for the next five years in terms of dollars and pounds shipment respectively. The market is expected to reach US$3 bln in 2018 from US$1.8 bln in 2013. From its user segments, the industrial market is expected to witness annual double-digit growth, while aerospace experiences high single-digit growth. The sporting goods market is likely to witness the lowest growth in 2013-2018

According to Chinese customs statistics released: April 2013, 7,033 tons of carbon black imports and exports 62,061 tons, exports and imports are negative qoq growth in exports also grew sharply

Rubber rebounded from a nine-month low, paring a fifth weekly drop, as better-than-expected U.S. retail sales and jobs data eased concerns demand may weaken for the commodity used in tires.

The ministries of industry-trade and finance are considering another increase in the price of coal sold to power plants to match the coal production cost in 2013, said Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang

Gold traders turned bearish for the first time in a month as investors reduced holdings in exchange-traded products for an unprecedented 17th consecutive week and India, the biggest buyer, announced curbs on imports.

Gold is set to drop to the lowest level since 2010 after forming a symmetrical triangle, according to technical analysis by Bank of America Corp.

Vietnam’s five-year government bond yield dropped the most in two months on speculation falling borrowing costs and weak credit growth are buoying demand. The dong was little changed.

The Finance Ministry is calling for comments on a proposal to raise the tax on mining iron ore, titanium, gold, copper and several other minerals by 3 to 10 percentage points.

Gold rebounded to trade above $1,400 an ounce as equities retreated and the dollar’s rally halted, boosting demand for the metal as a store of value. Silver, platinum and palladium increased.

Vietnamese inflation slowed to its weakest pace in eight months in May, official data showed on Friday, in the latest sign that the economy is cooling.