-Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 5 October 2018

petrotahlil-Asia MEK market sentiment bullish; spot cargoes limited

Asia’s methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) market sentiment is bullish on expectations of improved demand amid limited availability of spot cargoes in the near term.

Asia TDI downtrend continues on sluggish demand

Asia’s toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) prices may remain on a downtrend in coming weeks, if regional demand fails to pick up soon.

Asia benzene up on firm crude; ample supply to cap further gains

Asia’s spot benzene prices were firmer despite the week-long holidays in the key Chinese market, riding on strong crude ahead of the US sanctions on Iran.

Asia shipping rates may firm on low-sulphur rules at China ports

Freight rates in Asia may firm as some ports in the key China market have tightened regulations related to pollution emissions of ships in October.

NE Asia industries stable-to-weak in Sept; trade war worries persist

Manufacturing momentum in northeast Asia was stable-to-weak in September amid soft external demand, with overall business sentiment in the region weighed down by the ongoing China-US trade war.

Asia petrochemical markets gain as crude at near four-year high

Spot prices of some petrochemicals in Asia spiked on Tuesday with crude prices trading at near four-year highs ahead of the re-imposition of US sanctions on Iran next month.

India PE, PP markets on a seasonal lull ahead of Diwali

India’s polyolefin demand has been largely weak, with upside limited amid a seasonal market lull ahead of Diwali in November.