Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Berkshire Hathaway completes $9.7 billion acquisition of OxyChem from Occidental
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Occidental has completed the sale of its OxyChem chemicals business to Berkshire Hathaway for $9.7 billion, the companies announced on Friday. OxyChem is a major producer of polyvinyl...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe EPS market eyes signs of construction recovery, EPBD boost
LONDON (ICIS)--After weak and subdued demand in 2025, Europe’s expandable polystyrene (EPS) market players are cautiously optimistic about signs of recovery in 2026, driven by the Energy...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe MEG consumption in long-term decline
LONDON (ICIS)--European monoethylene glycol (MEG) players are preparing to face another difficult year as consumption continues to decline, tariff upheaval creates uncertainty and competition from US...
AI agents set to democratise computational chemistry
Large language models are powering a new generation of AI agents that could transform computational chemistry from a specialist discipline into one any researcher can use, reports Julia Robinson
Scientists recognised in 2026 New Year’s Honours list
Chemists receive awards for work on nuclear waste management, forensics, sustainability and promotion of inclusion and diversity
Anode-free battery doubles electric vehicle driving range
Could an electric vehicle travel from Seoul to Busan and back on a single charge? Could drivers stop worrying about battery performance even in winter? A Korean research team has taken a major step toward
OUTLOOK ’26: Weak IPA and MEK demand to continue, new IPA capacity in H2
LONDON (ICIS)--The European isopropanol (IPA) and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) markets are likely to remain under pressure from low demand and lengthy supply in 2026. Continued weak consumption expected...
Democratising science, one step at a time
Artifical intelligence is just the latest method to open up chemistry to more people
Infraserv Logistics sets new course
Infraserv Logistics is set for a change in management at the end of the year: Managing Director Dr. Andreas Brockmeyer will retire and Dr. Klaus Alberti will take over as sole Managing Director. Dr. Andreas
An airborne exposure route for a serious kidney disease
Linking Aristolochia plants to aristolochic acid nephropathy
OUTLOOK ’26: European BD supply remains long; cautious demand outlook tempered by recent Asia-led sentiment lift
LONDON (ICIS)--The European butadiene (BD) industry was significantly challenged in 2025 by US trade policy and ailing demand depending on sector, resulting in excess length in the market in the...
OUTLOOK ‘26: Europe PA to grapple with import pressure and muted demand into 2026
LONDON (ICIS)--As the European phthalic anhydride (PA) market looks towards 2026, continued import competition coupled with weak demand is expected to limit market growth, reflecting the overall...
OUTLOOK ’26: US epoxy resins bracing for continued volatility in 2026
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US epoxy resins is preparing itself for some degree of turbulence in 2026 amid feedstock volatility, tariff developments, annual duty reviews and a clouded demand outlook. PRICING...
OUTLOOK ’26: No bright future for European engineering plastics
LONDON (ICIS)--European polyacetal (POM) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) markets stayed very quiet throughout 2025 – and they are expected to continue in the same vein in the upcoming year....
OUTLOOK ’26: Polish petchems strives to rid itself of ‘white elephants’
LONDON (ICIS)--Two worldscale investments critics say should never have got off the drawing board continue to loom over Polish petrochemicals. In the coming year, the state corporations dogged by the...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe ABS sector pessimistic on demand, duties could reshape market share
LONDON (ICIS)--The European acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) market kicks off 2026 marked with pessimistic sentiment after weak demand throughout 2025 – and overshadowed by uncertainty...
Eurozone factory output declines in December, manufacturing hits nine-month low
LONDON (ICIS)--Eurozone manufacturing ended the year at a nine-month low, with output falling for the first time since February. The HCOB Eurozone Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)...
OUTLOOK ’26: US phenol/acetone production to remain curtailed
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US phenol/acetone run rates will not change much in 2026 due to global overcapacity and little rebound in demand. FEEDSTOCKSDemand for cumene into gasoline blending is up as it is...
OUTLOOK ’26: European methanol market to remain long in Q1 2026, demand stable
LONDON (ICIS)--The European methanol market length is expected to continue into the first quarter of 2026, despite production rationalization and feedstock constraints in key regions. Oversupply...
OUTLOOK ’26: Jet fuel outlook skews cautiously upward on regional, geopolitical dynamics
LONDON(ICIS)--The global jet fuel market will continue to recover in 2026, but the pace and durability will remain uneven and increasingly dependent on regional aviation dynamics. ICIS forecasts that...