據天然氣資訊9月17日消息稱，新冠肺炎疫情嚴重影響了2020年的全球經濟。GlobalData稱，亞洲主要經濟體的增長預計將在2021年出現反彈，因為遏制措施和刺激方案可能會增加該地區的經濟活動，推動石化產品需求。

GlobalData石油和天然氣分析師John Paul Somavarapu表示：“該地區的產能增加主要集中在中國，目標是實現自給自足，以滿足該國現有和不斷增長的石化產品需求。其次是印度和印度尼西亞，它們也在利用它們不斷增長的需求。疫情爆發和原油價格下跌促使兩地區的石化巨頭宣布項目推遲。處于早期開發階段的項目可能會被推遲，因為企業希望重新評估自己的投資策略。”

由于各國政府為控制疫情大流行采取了封鎖措施，亞洲的聚合物需求受到影響。不過，近期工業/商業活動的上升，以及經濟的逐步重新開放，必將增加對聚合物的需求。由于需求疲軟和制造業供應鏈降低了增長，建筑和汽車等關鍵最終用途領域的需求受到了影響。然而，來自包裝和醫療保健部門的需求將維持該行業的增長。

索馬瓦拉普總結說：“ COVID-19大流行是史無前例的，各公司已通過制定戰略和實施嚴格措施來應對這種經濟不確定性和增長疲軟。公司將資本投資用于維持現有的資產基礎，并對當前情況進行戰略評估，并相應地安排發展項目。”

曹海斌 摘譯自 天然氣資訊

原文如下：

Growth across major Asian economies to drive petrochemicals demand in the region, says GlobalData

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global economy in 2020. Growth across key Asian economies is expected to rebound in 2021, as the containment measures and stimulus packages are likely to increase economic activities and drive petrochemicals demand in the region, says GlobalData.

John Paul Somavarapu, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The regional capacity additions are largely concentrated in China, targeting self-sufficiency to meet the country’s existing and growing petrochemicals demand. China is followed by India and Indonesia, also capitalising on their growing demand. The COVID-19 outbreak and lower crude prices have prompted petrochemical majors in the region to announce project delays. Projects under early stages of development are likely to be postponed, as companies look to re-evaluate their investment strategies.”

Polymer demand in Asia was affected due to lockdown measures undertaken by governments to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. However, recent uptick in industrial/ business activities and gradual re-opening of economies are set to strengthen the demand for polymers. The demand from key end-use segments such as construction and automotive have been affected, as sluggish demand and manufacturing supply chains have lowered the growth. However, demand from packaging and healthcare sectors would sustain the growth of the industry.

Somavarapu concludes: “The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and companies have responded by developing strategies and implementing stringent measures to battle this economic uncertainty and weakened growth. Companies are channeling their capital investments towards maintaining existing asset base and are undertaking strategic review of the current scenario and scheduling their growth projects accordingly.”