Argus Weekly Korea Commodities Insights Episode 1

Our Global Lead for Base Oils, Guo Harn Hong, drives the conversation with Argus market experts Li Li Chng, Tara Tang, Victor Hu and Chu Ren Tan on how the Asia-Pacific base oils market performed in 2025 and what to look out for in 2026.   Listen now to discover: Market performance in 2025 and what market participants should expect this year New plant start-ups in India and expected repercussions on regional trade flows Rising production in Saudi Arabia and the impact on the Middle Eastern market Expected supply disruptions and grades likely to be impacted Trends to look out for in 2026

Welcome to Argus Weekly Korea Commodities Insights, the go-to source for what’s shaping South Korea’s energy and commodities markets. This week’s edition covers three major stories that could change the game for power generation, coal imports, and industrial investment.

Argentina is making headlines as the country moves from being a net importer of transportation fuels to potentially becoming an exporter. Camila Fontana, Deputy Bureau Chief of Argus in Brazil, and Flavia Alemi, who covers motor fuels in South America, discuss what is behind the transition.

A Argentina se prepara para deixar a posição de importadora líquida de combustíveis automotivos e acelerar a exportação de diesel e gasolina. Camila Fontana, chefe adjunta da redação da Argus em São Paulo, e Flávia Alemi, que cobre combustíveis na América do Sul, conversam sobre o que está atrás dessa virada. 

Argentina se prepara para dejar de ser importadora neta de combustibles para automotores y acelerar la exportación de diésel y gasolina. Camila Fontana, subjefa de redacción de Argus en São Paulo, y Flavia Alemi, especialista en combustibles en América del Sur, analizan qué hay detrás de este cambio.

Argus' Santosh Navada discussed with Ashish Kulkarni, Argus' lead aromatics consultant, the key drivers behind aromatics demand in 2025 and assess the critical factors likely to influence paraxylene–naphtha spreads in the coming months. They discuss: Outlook on the Northeast Asia aromatics market Perspective on China’s anti-involution initiative and South Korea petrochemical rationalization Reason behind the recent PX price surge in Asia observed in December Implications of the US tariffs on the aromatics market Key bullish and bearish factors that could influence aromatics market  Further details and additional insights are available from Argus Aromatics experts and Argus publications, including: Argus Toluene, Xylenes and Derivatives Argus Toluene and Xylenes Outlook Argus Toluene and Xylenes Analytics Argus Consulting  

In this episode, Alexandra Luca speaks with Oliver Chornous, CFO of Ch4mber Technologies, a leading project developer of orphan oil well plugging projects in North America. They discuss the rise of these projects, recent challenges, and what these developments mean for carbon credit buyers and project developers. Tune in for expert insights on: The scale and impact of orphan wells Key methodology and integrity standards Pricing trends and market dynamics Corporate demand and compliance market prospects

In this episode, Hannah Adler, Senior Biomass Reporter, explores how changes in the UK’s renewable policy and certificate markets are shaping the outlook for the biomass market. She’s joined by Giulio Bajona, Deputy Editor for Global Energy Certificates, to discuss:   What CfD reforms, sustainability consultations, and EU regulatory delays mean for the REGO market, and ultimately biomass generators. If policy changes, such as UK sustainability rules and the EUDR, will act as price drivers in 2026, or if they are still too far out to matter? What factors have contributed to the current bearish trend in certificate prices?   Argus offers biomass prices, news, analysis, and consulting.  Request a free trial or more information

Louise Burke speaks with Damien McLoughlin, CCO of FlyORO, about solving SAF supply chain challenges. FlyORO, a Singapore-based tech firm, offers patented modular blending units deployable from production sites to airports, enabling flexible, distributed SAF delivery. In the podcast they highlight issues downstream of production and the need for localized solutions to avoid “haves and have-nots” among airports. They also address growing demand for SAF certificates and Scope 3 flexibility, stressing robust traceability, and finally book-and-claim as vital for scaling SAF demand, complementing physical deployment with credibility.

Hear Argus’ essential analysis of phosphate market in India and Pakistan, focusing on how DAP prices are developing, the status of contract negotiations, DAP exports from China, TSP exports from Morrocco and the market outlook for 1Q 2026. Join Tom Hampson, Global Editor – Phosphates, Adrian Seewald, Senior Market Reporter – Phosphates and Mike Nash, Senior Editor – Fertilizers as they discuss these topics in the latest episode of Argus' Fertilizer Matters podcast series. Key questions answered in this podcast: - What were the key market sentiments from the Fertilizer Association of India conference - How have DAP prices developed in December? - Chinese exports to India to be delayed in 2026? - How are 1Q phosphoric acid contract negotiations developing? - How has Pakistan fared with this year’s high season compared with previous years? - Why has the differential between DAP cfr Pakistan and DAP cfr India fluctuated? - How could domestic DAP Pakistan prices and demand develop in 1Q 2026? - How have India and Pakistan reacted to Morocco’s push to move more TSP into South Asia