Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Archaeon’s lack of metabolism challenges definitions of life
A question that is not the same as asking whether something is alive
Europe MTBE average prices decline alongside lower Eurobob values
LONDON (ICIS)--European methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) average prices declined in the week ending 9 January compared with the prices seen in the previous ICIS report dated 26 December 2025....
Plant status: Saudi’s Luberef to restart Group II base oils unit in mid-Jan
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Luberef Location: Yanbu, Saudi Arabia Product: Group II base oils Capacity (tonnes/year): 900,000 Event start: 15 November 2025 Event finish:...
Brazil’s sulphur imports from US plunge 40% in 2025 amid trade uncertainty
LONDON (ICIS)--Brazil’s total sulphur imports saw minimal change in 2025, but trade uncertainty prompted a shift in sourcing, resulting in a 40% decline in volumes from its primary supplier, the...
How safe is the next generation of battery chemistries?
Rapid advances mean researchers are struggling to understand these batteries’ safety and fire hazards
ICIS TTF Early Day assessments: 13 January 2026
- US President Donald Trump via social media announced a 25% tariff on goods into the US from countries trading with Iran without offering details or any official notices on federal government...
Taiwan’s FPCC 2025 net income surges by 71% on improved refining margins
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Formosa Petrochemical Corp's (FPCC) net income surged 71% year on year to New Taiwan dollar (NT$) 9.9 billion ($313 million) in 2025 mainly due to improved refining margins, the...
China ends export tax rebates for chemicals related to solar, battery products
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China will abolish value-added tax (VAT) rebates on exports of photovoltaic and battery products, and related chemicals such as methanol, ethylene glycol (EG), polyvinyl chloride...
Abadi LNG faces cost squeeze as Indonesia urges faster development
LNG economics tested as Indonesia advances project Domestic gas at the fore of gas plans Prices soft as project presses ahead SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Indonesia’s $20 billion Abadi LNG project is moving...
OUTLOOK FOR 2026: UK likely to maintain net power import position through 2026
UK likely to hold a net power import position through 2026 ICIS Power Foresight shows net power imports could average 4GW between 1 February and 31 December under a base-case scenario Pressure on the...
Heavy maintenance, stronger feedstocks to buoy Asia polyester market
SINGAPORE (ICIS)-- Heavy maintenance of polyester plants in China and stronger feedstock markets are expected to buoy Asian polyester market. Sellers hold firm to offers on heavy maintenance Stronger...
Plant status: China’s Zhejiang Wankai shuts one PET line on technical issue
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Zhejiang Wankai New Materials Location: Haining, Zhejiang, China Product: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Capacity (tonnes/year): 200,000...
India’s AM Green signs green ammonia off-take agreement with Germany’s Uniper
MUMBAI (ICIS)--German state-owned energy firm Uniper Global Commodities has signed a long-term offtake agreement with India’s AM Green for green ammonia from India, official statements showed....
Iran protests on third week; oil spike dampens Mideast, S Asia petrochemical demand
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Iran’s mass protests running for the third straight week have sent oil prices surging at above $64/barrel in Asian trade, supporting feedstock naphtha prices but constraining...
S Korea solvent MX Feb export prices rise on snug regional availability
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--South Korea’s solvent grade mixed xylenes (MX) spot export prices were firmer in the week ended 9 January compared with the last assessed prices on 24 December, reflecting higher...
Revolutionizing chemistry – reaction by reaction
Professor Daniele Leonori, Chair of Organic Chemistry III at RWTH Aachen University, has published research findings in the journal Nature Catalysis that open up new avenues for more cost-effective and sustainable processes in chemical synthesis.
New aluminum-ion cell chemistry on the battery test bench
Efficient and environmentally friendly storage technologies such as the lithium-free aluminum-ion battery (AIB) are essential for a secure and climate-neutral energy supply. The SALSA research project (development of application-specific aluminum-ion batteries using innovative passive and
Foeth acquires Italian peer, strengthening its position as used process equipment dealer
Foeth announces the acquisition of the Italian equipment dealer Intimac, strengthening its position as the European market leader in refurbished process, formulation and packaging machines for the pharmaceutical, chemical, recycling and food and feed industries.
Die Köttermann Group appoints Joerg Hoffmann as CEO
Setting the course for the future, the Köttermann Group, which owns the companies Köttermann, Labflex and Lab Concept and is a member of the BHM Group, has announced the appointment of Joerg Hoffmann as Chief
Anomeric effect cannot be explained by hyperconjugation alone
Computational studies suggest this textbook principle is governed by a range of factors