Rare earths started the year as metals that few people outside of the sector knew about. However, by Q2, the critical metals were receiving mainstream attention as China considered cutting off US access, causing concerns about a supply shortage. SEE MORE After a year of volatility in the oil market, prices are heading into 2020 with a sense of optimism, with oil markets closing on a fourth straight weekly high. SEE MORE International media outlets have highlighted Vietnam’s thriving economy which is among the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia in 2019 amid the global economic slowdown. SEE MORE The European fatty acids and fatty alcohols markets face diverging outlooks for 2020. SEE MORE The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) markets in Latin America are likely to remain slow on the back of long supply, falling prices and low buying interest. SEE MORE