The Urethane Blog

Everchem Updates

VOLUME XXI

September 14, 2023

Everchem’s Closers Only Club

Everchem’s exclusive Closers Only Club is reserved for only the highest caliber brass-baller salesmen in the chemical industry. Watch the hype video and be introduced to the top of the league: read more

New 4th Tranche of Tariffs on China Imports of $300 Billion under Consideration – Request for Comments by United States Trade Representative

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Butzel first reported the Trump Administration’s decision to increase existing tariffs on $200 Billion worth of Chinese imports in our Client Alert of May 6th. The alert explains that tariffs on products covered by List 3 of the Section 301 tariffs were to increase from 10 to 25%. This increase took effect on May 10th. The Trump Administration has now issued a request for comments on a new list of proposed tariffs which is scheduled to appear in the May 15th Federal Register. This proposed List 4 identifies possible tariffs on an additional $300 Billion worth of Chinese products imported into the US.

The list is not focused on traditional auto parts, as most imported auto parts from China are already covered by Lists 1 – 3 of the Section 301 tariffs. Instead, the new list covers nearly all remaining Chinese imports. The request for comments lays out a process for comments and objections to the proposed tariffs, sets a hearing date for June 17th, and a deadline to request to testify as June 10th.  Written comments can be submitted until June 24th.

This proposed List 4 is apparently a response to China’s recent announcement that it plans to raise tariffs on U.S. importers.    China’s retaliatory tariffs will be imposed at the following levels:

The proposed List 4 of Section 301 tariffs escalates the trade war with China – a ‘war’ the Trump Administration believes it can win. Butzel Long has worked with clients to submit comments and exclusion requests for Section 301 and 232 tariffs. We are able to assist any clients that have questions regarding these updates or who wish to file comments (or to testify) about the proposed List 4 of the Section 301 tariffs.

https://www.butzel.com/resources-alerts-4th-Tranche-Tariffs-Comments-Request.html

New 4th Tranche of Tariffs on China Imports of $300 Billion under Consideration – Request for Comments by United States Trade Representative

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Butzel first reported the Trump Administration’s decision to increase existing tariffs on $200 Billion worth of Chinese imports in our Client Alert of May 6th. The alert explains that tariffs on products covered by List 3 of the Section 301 tariffs were to increase from 10 to 25%. This increase took effect on May 10th. The Trump Administration has now issued a request for comments on a new list of proposed tariffs which is scheduled to appear in the May 15th Federal Register. This proposed List 4 identifies possible tariffs on an additional $300 Billion worth of Chinese products imported into the US.

The list is not focused on traditional auto parts, as most imported auto parts from China are already covered by Lists 1 – 3 of the Section 301 tariffs. Instead, the new list covers nearly all remaining Chinese imports. The request for comments lays out a process for comments and objections to the proposed tariffs, sets a hearing date for June 17th, and a deadline to request to testify as June 10th.  Written comments can be submitted until June 24th.

This proposed List 4 is apparently a response to China’s recent announcement that it plans to raise tariffs on U.S. importers.    China’s retaliatory tariffs will be imposed at the following levels:

The proposed List 4 of Section 301 tariffs escalates the trade war with China – a ‘war’ the Trump Administration believes it can win. Butzel Long has worked with clients to submit comments and exclusion requests for Section 301 and 232 tariffs. We are able to assist any clients that have questions regarding these updates or who wish to file comments (or to testify) about the proposed List 4 of the Section 301 tariffs.

https://www.butzel.com/resources-alerts-4th-Tranche-Tariffs-Comments-Request.html

May 22, 2019

Roadcheck

The CVSA International Roadcheck will take place from June 4-6 this year, with an emphasis on an important topic: steering and suspension.

During this time, the CVSA will be inspecting commercial motor vehicles and drivers across North America for both driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness. Below you will see that during last year’s Roadcheck more than 21% of the 67,603 vehicles inspected were placed out of service. View the full infographic.
I want to remind you how important it is to plan your freight ahead for Roadcheck week. Due to increased scrutiny, a number of carriers and drivers choose not to operate the week of the event and our data shows that each year there is a significant drop in overall available capacity in the marketplace. Reduced capacity or delays caused by non-compliant drivers or faulty equipment will add days to your supply chain.
http://s1392407584.t.en25.com/e/es?s=1392407584&e=27103&elqTrackId=0835ad748d6a4b29b602eaa6ee5bf011&elq=7262554ac4ad4dd49cada8de32a94b80&elqaid=1361&elqat=1

May 22, 2019

Roadcheck

The CVSA International Roadcheck will take place from June 4-6 this year, with an emphasis on an important topic: steering and suspension.

During this time, the CVSA will be inspecting commercial motor vehicles and drivers across North America for both driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness. Below you will see that during last year’s Roadcheck more than 21% of the 67,603 vehicles inspected were placed out of service. View the full infographic.
I want to remind you how important it is to plan your freight ahead for Roadcheck week. Due to increased scrutiny, a number of carriers and drivers choose not to operate the week of the event and our data shows that each year there is a significant drop in overall available capacity in the marketplace. Reduced capacity or delays caused by non-compliant drivers or faulty equipment will add days to your supply chain.
http://s1392407584.t.en25.com/e/es?s=1392407584&e=27103&elqTrackId=0835ad748d6a4b29b602eaa6ee5bf011&elq=7262554ac4ad4dd49cada8de32a94b80&elqaid=1361&elqat=1

Middle East polyether polyols prices may mark further declines

Source: ICIS News

2019/05/21

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Spot import prices of polyether polyols in the Middle East declined and further weakness could be on the cards as some producers could offer discount to entice buying interest amid worries about the impact of the China-US trade war on downstream polyurethane foam demand.

Khor Fakkan port in Dubai, UAE (Photo by Deedee Degelia Brent Winebrenner Degelia/Mood Board/REX/Shutterstock)In the week ended 16 May, import prices of 10-13.5% polymer polyols (POP) drummed cargoes in the Middle East were lowered by $50/tonne to $1,650-1,700/tonne CFR (cost & freight) Middle East, after three straight weeks of stable pricing.

Meanwhile, import prices for conventional polyether polyols also fell by $50/tonne to $1,550-1,600/tonne CFR Middle East.

There were limited offers for conventional grade polyols to the Middle East and these matched the high end of the week’s range. One supplier indicated it had run out of conventional polyols for sale to the spot market in May.

For POP, the bulk of offers were within that $1,650-1,700/tonne CFR Middle East range but buying interest at these price levels was still generally muted.

ICIS Editorial Chart goes here

One reason behind this was the fear that the escalating US-China trade tensions could eventually snuff out any recovery in demand for co-component toluene diisocyanate (TDI), which is used together with polyols in the manufacture of flexible foam products like mattresses.

But China suppliers this week were able to reduce their prices quite substantially because recent declines in the prices of feedstock propylene oxide (PO) in China had given these suppliers some flexibility to lower their prices without affecting their margins. Even so, the reduced prices generated limited demand from buyers.

Other Asian suppliers said they were facing persistently weak demand conditions and stiff pricing competition for polyols imports into the Middle East region.

“For polyols, our business is not doing so good – the demand is very slow,” said one Asian supplier.

A producer has reduced operating rates at its polyols plant to lower operating costs in the face of sluggish demand.

The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which started in early May, also further dampened market activity, according to market sources.

In Asia, polyols prices last week were assessed mostly lower as offers for certain grades softened on the back of poor cargo uptake from southeast Asian buyers.

ICIS Editorial Chart goes here

The chart above shows the spread between feedstock PO import prices in China and POP prices in the Middle East. It shows the correlation between feedstock PO and prices of POP in the Middle East and indicates POP prices are likely to continue tracking PO.

Focus article by Izham Ahmad

https://www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/2019/05/21/10366213/middle-east-polyether-polyols-prices-may-mark-further-declines