2013-03-18 03:04:25 - Recently published research from Business Monitor International, "Israel Petrochemicals Report Q2 2013", is now available at Fast Market Research

BMI View: Israel is exposed to key developed markets where growth is faltering and is now seeking to maximise opportunities elsewhere. Nevertheless, industry consolidation, coupled with currency depreciation, has affected the structure of the Israeli petrochemicals market and this could balance out the cost disadvantages that arise because there are so few sources of indigenous feedstock.

Although faltering growth in key developed export markets will continue to weigh on the relatively large external sector, growing diversification and exposure to faster-growing emerging markets, as well as ongoing product specialisation, should support Israel's petrochemicals industry. Much will depend on Israel's external competitiveness. Israel's weakening external position has put pressure on the shekel over the medium term and this is expected to continue. As

a result, we expect the currency to continue depreciating, enabling chemicals exporters to maintain competitive prices.


Full Report Details at
- www.fastmr.com/prod/552317_israel_petrochemicals_report_q2_2013. ..


Naphtha costs will also be crucial. The theoretical surplus between supply and demand in the global oil market will grow over the coming years, precipitating a decline in the price of oil and a corresponding decline in naphtha feedstock costs. BMI forecasts a decline in crude prices in 2013, which, together with depreciation, should ensure an easing of costs through the petrochemicals value chain and bolster domestic production.

Over the last quarter, BMI has revised the following forecasts/views:

* Carmel Olefins completed a four-week maintenance shutdown at its petrochemicals complex in Haifa in early February 2012. The shut-down compounded rising import prices as producers in Europe and the Middle East sought to push increased costs onto buyers. The reopening of the facilities should ease prices on the local market throughout the rest of Q113, thereby stimulating sales volumes. The opening of a new hydrocracker at the Haifa refinery will also boosts long-term naphtha availability and improve margins.
* The Israeli chemicals market is set for stronger growth in 2013, in line with an increase in economic growth of 3.1% - although this is a slight revision of our 3.3% forecast last quarter due to heightened political risk. Growth in domestic polymers consumption will be supported by a sharp 6.2% increase in construction growth, prompted by an increase in residential construction. This is in large part due to pentup demand but also because of falling interest rates and the subsequent impact on mortgages. This should boost polyvinyl chloride (PVC) consumption. Meanwhile, industrial production is set to rise 8.7%, providing a strong context for domestic market growth. At the same time, exports are expected to assist with manufacturing activity.
* In BMI's Middle East and Africa (MEA) Petrochemicals Risk/Reward Ratings (RRRs) matrix, Israel lies in fifth place, with a score of 57.8 points, up 1.0 point since the previous quarter due to an improvement in market risk. This component has been supported by the country's domestic gas potential as well as recent upgrades at the Haifa refinery and petrochemicals complex. Israel now sits 0.9 points ahead of Iran and 2.7 points behind Kuwait.

Partial Table of Contents:

BMI Industry View
SWOT
- Petrochemicals
- Political
- Economic
- Business Environment
Industry Forecast
- Table: Israel's Petrochemicals Sector, 2010-2017 ('000 tpa, unless otherwise stated)
Macroeconomic Forecasts
- Israel Macroeconomic Forecast
- Private Consumption Outlook
- Fixed Investment Outlook
- Government Spending Outlook
- Net Exports
- Risks To Outlook
- Table: Israel - Economic Activity
Industry Risk Reward Ratings
- Regional Petrochemicals Risk/Reward Ratings
- Africa Coming Into View As Gulf States Mature
- Arab Spring Takes Its Toll
- Regulatory Framework Dictates Risks
- Table: MEA Petrochemicals Regional Risk Reward Ratings
- Industry Risk Reward Ratings
Market Overview
- Table: Israel's Petrochemical Sector - Cracker Capacity, 2008-2016
Industry Trends And Developments
- Upstream
Company Profile
- Oil Refineries Ltd (ORL)
- Israel Chemicals Ltd (ICL)
Regional Overview
- Middle East Overview
- Kuwait And UAE Challenge Region's Bigger Producers
- Ethane Reliance A Structural Weakness
Global Industry Overview
- Global Petrochemicals Overview
- Change In Feedstock, But Not In Market Cycle
- Polymers Heading On Different Trajectories
- Global Oil Products Price Outlook
- Table: BMI's Oil Price Forecasts, Average Price (US$/bbl)
- Table: BMI's Refined Products Forecasts
- Refiners: Is The Party Over?
- Jet Fuel: Middle East & Africa Remain Positive As Global Air Traffic Slumps
- Table: Total Air Freight & Passenger Volumes
- Gasoline And Diesel: Demand Destruction Takes A Toll
- Naphtha: Asia Stays Afloat While Europe Sinks
- Bunker Fuels: Trans-Pacific Route Rebound Amid High Prices
Demographic Forecast
- Israel Demographic Data
- Table: Israel's Population By Age Group, 1990-2020 ('000)
- Table: Israel's Population By Age Group, 1990-2020 (% of total)
- Table: Israel's Key Population Ratios, 1990-2020
- Table: Israel's Rural/Urban Population Split, 1990-2020
Glossary
- Table: Glossary of Petrochemicals Terms
Methodology
- Chemicals And Petrochemicals Industry
- Cross Checks
- Risk/Reward Ratings
- Table: Petrochemicals Risk/Reward Indicators And Rationale

Full Table of Contents is available at:
-- www.fastmr.com/catalog/product.aspx?productid=552317&dt=t

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