Traders of oil products and iron ore have their eyes trained on China’s supply-side dynamics, as the country grapples with the coronavirus outbreak. Also in the spotlight this week: Permian gas output, Germany’s coal plant closures, US corn exports and European gas prices.
Platts Insight: the essential perspective on global commodities
 
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January 23, 2020 16:02 UTC 
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The Singapore bunker market recorded its highest monthly sales volume for the year in December 2019, and uptake of low sulfur bunker fuel finally brought some optimism back into the market as it falls in line with IMO 2020. The International Maritime Organization’s global sulfur cap, which kicked in January 1, has been the major talking point in the oil and shipping industry for the past three years. |
 
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January 22, 2020 09:43 UTC
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The global recycled plastics market will continue to grapple with unfavorable economics in 2020. In the long term, demand for recycled plastics is expected to grow significantly, along with recycling rates for core materials PET, PE and PP. |
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January 21, 2020 13:55 UTC
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Pure hydrogen (H2) is increasingly seen as a tool for decarbonization in a wide range of industries. But in order to break into the mainstream, the fuel will need reliable methods to transport it. While current demand for H2 is limited primarily to oil refining and chemical production – mainly ammonia and methanol – there is growing consensus that H2 could serve as a key decarbonization approach in an array of commercial, power generation, transport and industrial applications. |
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January 20, 2020 09:51 UTC
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This week’s pick of energy and commodity market trends kicks off with EU biofuels demand prospects and a window of opportunity for Australian crude oil grades. US and European gas market dynamics and Brazilian corn prices are also in the sights of S&P Global Platts news editors this week. |
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January 16, 2020 12:21 UTC
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China’s voracious demand for commodities and energy continued unabated in 2019 despite a slowing economy and uncertain external environment. But what will be on the agenda in 2020 as the economy, environment and energy security come into greater focus? Here are are some key trends to watch over the coming year and what they mean for commodities. |
 
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January 15, 2020 13:57 UTC
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Battery storage deployment in the US is set for a rapid acceleration from 2020. That is one of the key takeaways from the latest S&P Global Platts Analytics’ US Power Storage Outlook, released to clients on December 18. In addition, while megawatt deployments in 2019 were at 2018 levels, the storage duration of battery storage assets increased in the past years, pointing to new usages. |
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January 14, 2020 09:33 UTC
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After nearly a year of sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports have failed to force President Nicolas Maduro from office, the US may effectively remove Chevron and other US companies from the South American nation, potentially quickening the collapse of the country’s oil sector. The Trump administration may let a waiver allowing Chevron, Halliburton, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes and Weatherford International to continue certain work with PDVSA, outside of US sanctions, expire on January 22. |
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January 13, 2020 09:51 UTC
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In this week’s pick of energy and commodities trends, European wind generation storms into 2020 and oil refiners in Asia and Europe feel the impact of US-Iran tensions. Plus, S&P GSCI index performance in 2019 reveals investors’ darlings among commodities. |
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January 9, 2020 15:19 UTC
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The global oil market is brimming with a smorgasbord of crudes, from the Canadian tar sands extracted with the help of steam and sand, to the lightest US condensates whose color mirrors a glass of fine white wine. Each crude stream possesses its own unique characteristics, and when refined yields varying proportions of different refined products. Understanding crude quality has never been more important, following the dramatic rise in US shale output, which has transformed the composition of the global oil market. |