World news
fromThe Washington Post
1 week agoRamen, K-beauty, clothes face shortages as Iran war hits Asia's supplies
Supply chain issues in Asia are causing shortages of everyday goods due to rising oil prices and petrochemical shortages.
Any escalation or expansion of hostilities could adversely affect global supply chains, commodity prices and macroeconomic conditions, highlighting the interconnectedness of geopolitical events and market stability.
Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons - molecules made mainly of carbon and hydrogen. Refineries and chemical plants separate and transform these molecules into smaller chemical building blocks known as petrochemicals. Some of the most important petrochemical building blocks include chemicals such as ethylene, propylene and benzene.