2020-01-08

NDRC: Value Added of the Chemical Industry Increased by 6% Year on Year in August

According to data recently released on the website of the National Development and Reform Commission, in August the value added of the chemical industry increased by 6% year on year, a deceleration of 4.4 percentage points compared with the same period last year. Among major chemical products, ethylene output fell by 8.1% year on year, while output of primary-form plastics, synthetic rubber, and synthetic fibers rose by 0.9%, 12.8%, and 3.1%, respectively; caustic soda output increased by 7.2%, whereas soda ash output declined by 0.2%; fertilizer output dropped by 13.7%, with nitrogen fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer falling by 14.9% and 14%, respectively, while potash fertilizer output grew by 3%; pesticide output decreased by 3.6%; tire casings output rose by 10.2%; and calcium carbide

2020-01-08

Domestic xylene prices edged up; the outlook for the near term is expected to be one of volatile, consolidating trading.

On the 9th, xylene prices edged up slightly. Currently, the benchmark trading range for solvent-grade xylene is RMB 4,700–5,600 per ton, while the benchmark for isomerized xylene is around RMB 4,950–5,500 per ton. Spot quotes for solvent-grade xylene are hovering near RMB 4,700 per ton (ex-tank, Zhangjiagang), and domestic isomerized xylene is quoted at approximately RMB 4,700–4,750 per ton (ex-tank). Sinopec Central China Branch reports the following xylene prices: Changling Refinery, Wuhan Petrochemical, and Sino-Korean Petrochemical are all quoting RMB 4,700 per ton. Sinopec South China Company’s solvent-grade xylene prices are as follows: Guangzhou Petrochemical is quoting RMB 5,750 per ton, while Maoming Petrochemical is quoting RMB 5,500 per ton; isomerized x

2020-01-08

The urea market is generally stable, with minor localized fluctuations.

In early July 2016, the average domestic urea quotation was RMB 1,285.4 per tonne; by the end of September, the average factory-gate quotation had fallen to RMB 1,241.4 per tonne, a decline of 3.42%. At the end of September, mainstream ex-factory quotations in the domestic urea market ranged from RMB 1,120 to RMB 1,200 per tonne, with lower-end quotes at RMB 1,050–1,100 per tonne and higher-end quotes at RMB 1,200–1,300 per tonne. Market Analysis Product: In July, the domestic urea market remained largely stable, though prices in some regions showed signs of easing. Overall, while the urea market did receive modest support, the broader domestic nitrogen fertilizer sector continued to trend weakly, with most distributors adopting a wait-and-see approach.

2019-12-13

Relevant Policies for the Food Additives Industry

Laws and Regulations (Order No. 73 of the Ministry of Health) Article 1 In order to strengthen the management of new varieties of food additives, these Measures are formulated in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Food Safety Law and the Implementing Regulations of the Food Safety Law. Article 2 New varieties of food additives refer to: (1) food additive varieties that have not been included in the National Food Safety Standards; (2) food additive varieties that have not been listed in the announcements issued by the Ministry of Health as being permitted for use; (3) food additive varieties for which the scope of use or the dosage has been expanded. Article 3 Food additives shall be technically necessary and, following risk assessment, proven to be safe and reliable.

2019-12-13

Nutritious food additives

Nutritious Food Additives (12 points) ① Fruit and vegetable juices such as those made from pears, apples, bananas, and potatoes tend to discolor easily. Once discolored, they not only look unappealing but also lose their flavor. What can be done? Simply add a bit of lemon juice. ② All fruits and vegetables contain varying amounts of polyphenolic compounds. When the peel is removed, these compounds are exposed to air and undergo oxidation, forming quinone compounds. These quinones readily polymerize with one another to form “browning pigments,” causing the food to change color. Lemon juice, however, is rich in ascorbic acid, which can reduce quinones back to their original polyphenolic state; alternatively, ascorbic acid itself can be oxidized, thereby consuming the quinones.