Earlier this month, we explored how chemical value chains are shifting, adapting and evolving to navigate geopolitical, societal and world welfare issues. Our blog post Retreat of Western investment in – and reliance on – China considered the views of key brand representatives on the issue and Davos thinking alongside the insights of our own consultants.  Today, we are flipping the coin to present the thinking of our colleagues and industry partners within the Asia region.  ANALYSIS BY GRACE SHEN, TECNON ORBICHEM’S CHINA-BASED ORTHOXYLENE, PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE, UPR & AROMATICS EXPERT From an aromatics import/export perspective, globalisation strategy seems to be making a comeback. ‘Trading volumes apparently increased in the second quarter of 2022,’ says senior consultant Grace Shen. Aromatics, including toluene, mixed xylenes, benzene and styrene are being actively exported from Asia to the US and Europe,’ adds Shen. The western region’s shortages have...