Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Widening gap in container rates suggest shippers are uncertain; Strait of Hormuz closed
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Widening spreads between high and low costs for shipping containers on various trade lanes indicates uncertainty on both sides of the trade, largely because of the war in the Middle...
Plant status: SABIC performs planned maintenance at US PC plant
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: SABIC Location: Burkville, Alabama, US Product: Polycarbonate (PC) Capacity (tonnes/year): 300,000 Event start: 2 March 2026 Event finish: 30...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude advances on rising concerns of retaliation from Iran
US seizes Iranian vessel over the weekend, increasing tensions across Middle East Kuwait declares force majeure on oil output unable to comply with customer needs IMF forecasts possible global...
Europe jet fuel supply risks intensify as loss of Middle East flows exposes structural import dependence – IEA
LONDON (ICIS)--European jet fuel markets are entering a critical phase of tightening supply as the loss of Middle Eastern exports disrupts global trade flows, with the International Energy Agency...
Europe E&P series prices extend gains in H2 April amid limited spot availability
LONDON (ICIS)--Spot prices for E&P series glycol ethers continue to see consolidation at higher levels in the market into the latter half of April as availability constraints continue to bite...
Europe MMA prices stabilize despite supply tightness
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe methyl methacrylate (MMA) market has seen spot prices stabilize despite ongoing supply tightness. Unchanged prices come as there have been growing concerns among buyers...
Pakistan PP prices stable to firm, PE stable to soft amid US-Iran ceasefire talks
DUBAI (ICIS)--Pakistan polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) prices followed mixed price directions during the week ended 17April, tracking offers mostly from Chinese-origin material, and limited...
GAS ALERT: Austrian regulator consults on 2027 gas tariffs
LONDON (ICIS)--Austrian energy regulator E-Control has opened a consultation on proposed changes to Austria’s gas tariffs applicable for 2027. The majority of the proposed changes are relatively...
Interest falls in PRISMA monthly capacity bookings for May
Bookers opt for lower capacity levels amid market volatility Little profit incentive as spreads barely cover transport costs at some points Booking of 16mcm/day for Algerian imports to Italy bucks...
Brazil’s IG4 seals debt-for-equity deal for Novonor’s Braskem stake, pledges financial restructuring
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--IG4-backed investment funds have agreed to acquire Novonor's controlling stake in Braskem through a debt-for-equity exchange, handing IG4 over half the company's voting capital at...
Europe DEG spot prices plateau as buyers take wait-and-see approach
LONDON (ICIS)--European diethylene glycol (DEG) spot prices were assessed as unchanged in the week ending 17 April sentiment in the market has turned. DEG truck spot prices were assessed unchanged at...
Brazil’s bioceanic road corridor to reshape LatAm trade flows, cut logistics costs – minister
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazil's planned bioceanic road corridor linking its interior to Pacific ports in Chile could cut freight costs by 30% to 40% and shave 14 days off shipping times to Asia, according...
Operators launch Trans-Adriatic Pipeline capacity-expansion consultation
Consultation launched on increased Greece-Italy pipeline capacity Capacity expansion could unlock higher gas flows Binding capacity test planned for Q1 2027 MILAN (ICIS)-- Infrastructure operators...
Europe MEG spot prices stable-to-firm as market sentiment turns
LONDON (ICIS)--European monoethylene glycol (MEG) spot prices were assessed stable to firm in the week ending 17 April, but a range of spot price directions were mentioned by market sources as...
Plant status: Avista Oil’s base oils re-refinery in Dollbergen ends maintenance
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Avista Oil Location: Dollbergen, Germany Product: Re-Refined Base oils Group I Capacity (tonnes/year): 118,239 (2,300 barrels/day) Event start:...
Ethiopia imports more urea in Q1 on import system revamp
LONDON (ICIS)--In Ethiopia, urea imports jumped by 31.5% in the first quarter to 379,834 tonnes compared to 288,906 tonnes in the same period of 2025, according to customs data, following a...
German caustic soda ECU contract margins rise in week ending 17 April, calculated value of chlorine higher
LONDON (ICIS)--Average German membrane electrochemical unit (ECU) contract margins rose in the week ending 17 April, as the value of chlorine was higher week on week. The ECU value increased, with...
ICTA works to launch Global Responsible Distribution to fill in regional gaps – exec
NEW YORK (ICIS)--The International Chemical Trade Association (ICTA) is working towards a full launch of its flagship Global Responsible Distribution (GRD) program that will bring certification for...
China’s MX-toluene price spread to stay negative amid split demand
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s toluene and mixed xylenes (MX) prices have fallen by varying degrees since April amid ongoing Middle East tensions, sharp crude volatility and domestic supply-demand...
Europe MX prices slip, spot premium range steady
LONDON (ICIS)--The European mixed xylenes (MX) spot premium range was stable on both ends in the week ending 17 April, on the back of ongoing minimal buying interest from the market. The spot premium...