Industry News
Chemical Industry News
US January BD rollover halts year-long downtrend
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The January ICIS butadiene (BD) Contract Reference Price settled at a rollover amid a more balanced domestic market and support from export demand. The ICIS price is a direct average...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe MTBE market eyes stable demand amid EMEA capacity growth
LONDON (ICIS)--The European methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) market is expected to navigate 2026 with steady demand and evolving supply dynamics, as new capacity additions in the Middle East and...
OUTLOOK ’26: Challenging conditions to continue to weigh on US PS and EPS markets
Houston (ICIS)--Demand for both US polystyrene (PS) and expandable polystyrene (EPS) is expected to be similar to what was seen in 2025. Demand for PS and EPS expected flat compared to 2025 PS...
OUTLOOK ’26: Slight consumption growth expected in Europe PMMA
LONDON (ICIS)--The European polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) market is expected to see a slight recovery in 2026, following the lowest annual consumption figures since at least 2020. Whether...
Europe ethylene January 2026 contract reference price falls by €25/tonne
LONDON (ICIS)--The European ethylene contract reference price for January 2026 has fallen by €25/tonne from December to settle at €1,080/tonne. Two producers and two consumers separately...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe AA, acrylate ester markets to face ongoing weak demand and import pressure for 2026
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe acrylic acid (AA) and acrylate ester markets are bracing for the challenges of 2025 to continue into 2026. Demand stays weak; downstream sectors remain under pressure 2026...
Europe propylene January 2026 contract reference price settles down €30/tonne
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe propylene contract reference price for January 2026 has decreased by €30/tonne to €950/tonne. Three producers and two consumers separately and directly confirmed. One of...
OUTLOOK ’26: European refinery solvents’ demand struggles continue
LONDON (ICIS)--European refinery solvents markets for 2026 are likely to be flat with 2025, with buyers and sellers looking to find the best strategies to see them through another difficult year....
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe xylenes demand to be stable at best in short term
LONDON (ICIS)--Mixed xylenes (MX) demand in Europe is expected to be stable at best as we head into the new year. Overall petrochemicals demand likely to remain below expectations Summer driving...
OUTLOOK ’26: Supply stability, demand challenges ahead for US recycled plastics
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The outlook for recycled polymers in 2026 remains challenging, with muted growth and cautious sentiment. Demand is expected to stay flat or soften as sustainability commitments...
OUTLOOK ’26: Fragmentation, capacity loss and lawsuits threaten Europe rHDPE in 2026
LONDON (ICIS)--A spread is growing between packaging-grade recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) pellets used in cosmetics applications and those that are not, threatening the profits made from...
Czech Day‑ahead premium to THE likely to widen into early 2026 amid Polish, Slovak demand
Snowfall, cold in Poland to keep CEE flows from the west elevated Ccech/THE Day-ahead spread likely to widen in coming days Competition of r German capacity to support spreads as CEE relies on...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe ECH capacity cut afoot; flat demand to temper effects
LONDON (ICIS)--Europe epichlorohydrin (ECH) players are poised for a structural capacity cut in 2026, as INEOS’ Rheinberg allylics/ECH ops closure looms. But buyers remain calm so far, as demand is...
OUTLOOK ’26: US propylene ample supply and high inventories keep prices stable
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Heading into 2026, propylene inventories are at the highest point since 2022, leading to lower volatility than the market has seen for the past several years. Despite the stability,...
China’s average run rate of PO plants inches down to 67% amid minor operational changes
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s propylene oxide (PO) plants posted an average run rate at 67.0% in the week ended 31 December 2025, down by 0.6 percentage points from the last reporting period, ICIS data...
China BPA average plant run rate edges up to 70.4% on operational ramp-up
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The average run rate of China’s bisphenol A (BPA) plants was at around 70.4% in the week ended 31 December 2025, up by 0.9 percentage points from the last reporting period, ICIS...
OUTLOOK ‘26: Europe Paraffin Wax set for renewed Chinese competition
LONDON(ICIS)--The European paraffin wax market is poised for oversupply persisting into 2026, with an abundance of Chinese material encouraged by low freight, despite the EU anti-dumping duties....
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe MPG demand projected to hold steady
LONDON (ICIS)--The European monopropylene glycol (MPG) market has been marked by persistent structural weakness with no major revival for 2026. Plant shutdown in Europe Europe net MPG importer in...
East China’s SM inventory drops 0.9% as consumption outweighs arrivals
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Styrene monomer (SM) inventory level in east China decreased by 0.9% from last reporting week as consumption outweighs arrivals, ICIS data showed on Wednesday. The total stock was...
NBP front month premium to TTF rises on bullish weather forecasts
By Ethan Tillcock and Harvey Bassett Cold and calm weather is set to bolster gas demand first fortnight of 2026 Firm storage reserves cap upside risk LNG arrivals remain steady at start of year...