North America continues to strengthen as a player in the global crude oil markets, with US supply beating all expectations in 2017 and set to outstrip Saudi Arabia this year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Friday. SEE MORE Butadiene (BD) buyers in Asia, particularly in the downstream synthetic rubber sector, are resisting sellers’ proposed price hike this week amid limited tank space in the region. SEE MORE The EU has adopted the “first-ever” Europe-wide strategy on plastics in what it described as a bid to protect the planet, defend its citizens and empower its industries, the European Commission said on Tuesday. SEE MORE The European Commission on Tuesday adopted an EU-wide strategy focused on combating plastic pollution and on moving towards a more circular economy. SEE MORE Spot prices of dutiable polypropylene (PP) flat yarn prices in southeast Asia have exceeded those of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) prices for the first time in three years. SEE MORE