Industry News
Chemical Industry News
LNG spot charter rates begin to soften into early 2026
Atlantic spot rates have fallen as most activity is shifting to January More vessels are positioned and available in the basin versus last week Sources expect focus on prompt market to mean risk of...
European ethylene oxide December contract price rolls over from November
LONDON (ICIS)--The European ethylene oxide (EO) December contract price was assessed flat following the settlement of the upstream ethylene contract. The European ethylene contract reference price...
EUROPEAN GAS STORAGE UPDATE: Net withdrawals ramp up on short-lived cold snap in mid-November
LONDON (ICIS)--Cold weather in the second half of November, coupled with muted renewable generation prompted shippers to withdraw considerably more gas than in the previous fortnight. Following weeks...
International student levy worries universities as budget contains little new for research
Levy of £925 per overseas student would fund disadvantaged students but there are concerns it could have an unpredictable effect on student numbers
Europe November PX contract price rises €15/tonne, first increase since June
LONDON (ICIS)--The European paraxylene (PX) contract price for November has settled at an increase of €15/tonne month on month, the first rise after four consecutive months of declines. A firmer...
Europe rHDPE non-packaging grade pellet prices fall; packaging grades stable
LONDON (ICIS)--Recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) general purpose and pipe grade pellet prices fell on the high end of the range in November, as packaging grades remained stable despite talk...
Taking aerogel insulation from spacecraft to living space
Nanoplume’s bio-based materials are super-insulating but also cheap and scalable
HYDROGEN: EU commits €600 million to alternative fuel projects
LONDON (ICIS)--The European Union announced on 17 November more than €600 million in grants to 70 projects aimed at accelerating the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure across the bloc....
ICIS launches additional adipic acid monthly contract price assessments
LONDON (ICIS)--ICIS has introduced additional monthly adipic acid (ADA) contract price assessments to reflect net price levels. The starting assessed range for the ADA FD (free delivered) NWE...
Europe rHDPE NWE bale prices fall, UK bale prices rise on PRNs
LONDON (ICIS)--NWE mixed-coloured recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) bale spot prices fell on the low end of the range in November, as UK mixed-coloured and natural bale prices rose. The fall...
Asia PA market mixed as China softens and SE Asia fluctuates
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Phthalic anhydride (PA) markets across Asia were mixed in the week ending 28 November, with overall sentiment remaining weak. In China, orthoxylene (OX) values held steady while...
Chemical Profile: US MA
Uses Maleic anhydride (MA) is primarily used in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins (UPR), which are used in applications such as recreational boats, bathroom fixtures, automobiles,...
Revived claims that antibiotics don’t kill bacteria with reactive oxygen prove controversial
Researchers say that multiple lines of evidence for hypothesis have now been undermined
Chemical profile: Europe PE
Uses Polyethylene (PE) is the most used of all commodity thermoplastics. There are three primary grades – high density PE (HDPE), linear low density PE (LLDPE) and low density PE (LDPE). In...
Asian MA market firms as China strengthens, year-end demand softens
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Maleic anhydride (MA) markets across Asia firmed in the week ending 28 November, supported by stronger domestic sentiment in China and a slight uptick in export discussions into...
Thailand PP demand affected by floods, some suppliers accept discounts to sell
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--With demand impacted by adverse weather conditions and slow finished goods sales, some Thailand polypropylene (PP) suppliers have started to accept discounts again as they push for...
INSIGHT: Core global petchems hubs diversify markets despite trade fears
LONDON (ICIS)--The concept of regionalisation has been a talking point in the chemicals sector in the face of greater global geopolitical uncertainty, but the trend so far for key hubs in 2025 has to...
Vietnam PP transactions limited, converters sidelined after earlier restocking
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Spot activity involving polypropylene (PP) in Vietnam was weak, with converters moving to the sidelines after restocking earlier. Some non-dutiable flat yarn cargoes of South Korean...
Europe PC production still covers most consumption
LONDON (ICIS)--ICIS consumption and trade data suggest that imports of polycarbonate (PC) into Europe account for a minority of the total PC used on the continent, and that the total amount of PC...
Import interest in Indonesia PP market rises as domestic prices firm further
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--With domestic polypropylene (PP) prices maintaining an uptrend, import interest in Indonesia grew, although a buy-sell gap remains especially for dutiable cargoes. Some non-dutiable...