Market Monitor - Chemicals performance - Singapore

Market Monitor

  • Singapore
  • Chemicals/Pharma

1st June 2015

In 2015, Singapore’s GDP is forecast to grow a modest 3 %, and the production of chemicals is expected to grow at the same rate.

Market performance at a glance 

Singapore

  • The chemicals sector contributes to over 30% of Singapore´s manufacturing output. The island state is one of the leading petrochemical hubs in the region, and home to over 90 multinational chemicals corporations.
  • In 2015, Singapore’s GDP is forecast to grow a modest 3%, and chemicals´ production is expected to grow at the same rate. Profit margins are expected to remain stable.
  • There are some government initiatives aimed at attracting investments in this sector, particularly in the petrochemicals and specialty chemicals segments.
  • The overall indebtedness of businesses in this sector is not too high, and banks are generally willing to provide loans.
  • The average payment duration in the chemicals industry is 60 to 90 days. Payment delays and default cases are low, and expected to remain so in the coming months.
  • Due to the general positive indicators, our underwriting stance is relaxed for the chemicals sector.
  • However, we are more restrictive on the bunkering / fuel trading segment, as companies in this subsector have shown lower margins and high debt levels in the past couple of years. The market exit of OW Bunker at the end of 2014 has resulted in many unpaid creditors.

Related documents

Disclaimer, no warranties and exclusion of liability

Atradius disclaims any representations or warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose of (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO) any information contained on or provided via this Web Site and/or any service described or promoted on this Web Site, including warranties with respect to infringement of any patent, copyright, or other rights of third parties. Atradius shall not be liable for any injury, loss, damage or expense arising out of any access to or use of this Web Site or any site linked to or from this Web Site, including, without limitation, any loss of profit, indirect, incidental or consequential loss. Atradius furthermore shall not be liable for persons, property damage or especially direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, immediate or subsequent (pecuniary) loss. While Atradius has used reasonable efforts in maintaining a virus-free Web Site, it declines any liability for persons, property damage or especially direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, immediate or subsequent (pecuniary) loss which may result from transmission or downloading of computer viruses. Atradius cannot be held liable for hardware damage, loss of data, alteration of data, or downtime.