Asia’s plastics industry is under severe pressure as naphtha shortages compound already weak petrochemical margins. Producers across the region have cut cracker operating rates, with several declaring force majeure. South Korea and Japan are particularly exposed to Middle Eastern feedstocks, while Chinese producers have also reduced operations. The disruption highlights Asia’s vulnerability to volatile naphtha supplies and intensifies pressure on an industry already struggling with overcapacity.
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S&P Global Commodity Insights — Asia petrochemicals face Middle East war challenges