Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Brazil’s Braskem mulling debt freeze as coupon deadline looms but no easy fix in sight – Moody’s
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Braskem would reportedly be evaluating a court injunction to suspend debt payments for 60 days as a $100 million bond coupon due in July threatens to drain cash reserves further,...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices climb amid concerns of intensifying Middle East conflict
WTI May contract moves above Brent June contract following comments from Trump Trump states attacks against Iran will intensify over next two to three weeks UK holds meeting with 35 other nations to...
UK electricity demand for 2026 set to stay above previous years
UK power demand through first quarter of 2026 is above the same period in 2025 UK power prices could increase in line with higher demand, gas volatility ICIS Power Foresight shows demand is set to...
Plant status: Indorama’s Polish plant restarting but still on force majeure
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Indorama Ventures Wloclawek Location: Wloclawek, Poland Product: PET Capacity (tonnes/year): 230,000 Event start: 2 March 2026 Event finish:...
US trade deficit widens in February
HOUSTON (ICIS)--After falling in January, the US goods and services trade deficit rose by $2.7 billion or 4.9% month on month to $57.3 billion in February, the US Census Bureau reported on Thursday....
Plant status: Westlake Vinnolit to carry out PVC maintenance at Knapsack, Germany, in April
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Westlake Vinnolit Location: Knapsack, Germany Product: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Capacity (tonnes/year): 160,000 Event start: April Event finish:...
Mexico’s petrochemicals rebound in Q1 as Iran war reshapes global supply chains – bank
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Mexico's petrochemical sector is entering its first-quarter earnings season with improving financial metrics and healthier demand environment, even as the ongoing conflict with Iran...
China’s Sinopec to build 300,000 tonne/year BD plant in Kazakhstan
LONDON (ICIS)--Kazakhstan’s Butadiene LLP has signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with China’s Sinopec Guangzhou Engineering for a 300,000 tonne/year butadiene (BD)...
Volatile gas prices likely to continue driving Hungarian May ’26 power contract
Uncertainty around Middle East conflict likely to continue to influence gas, power contracts Good precipitation across Balkans could pressure prices – trader Low solar forecast likely to add...
INEOS Oxide seeking increases on US MEG and DEG, effective 15 April
HOUSTON (ICIS)--INEOS Oxide is seeking a price increase on US monoethylene glycol (MEG) and diethylene glycol (DEG), effective 15 April, according to a customer letter. The price increase nominations...
Global sulphuric acid offers climb on supply concerns, increasing demand
LONDON (ICIS)--Sulphuric acid pricing has firmed across the globe as the ripple effect of the Middle East conflict continues to pressure availability of burner feedstock sulphur - along with oil,...
GRAPHIC DETAIL: Vitol the big seller as May Brent contract expires
LONDON (ICIS)--Vitol was the major seller as the May Brent contract expired on 31 March, responsible for 44 of the 53 June EFP and May/June BFOETM spread trades on the day. This total is the
India’s MEG import duty exemption likely to further increase US export volumes
HOUSTON (ICIS)--India has announced a temporary exemption on basic customs duties on key petrochemicals, including monoethylene glycol (MEG), from 2 April to 30 June, according to the official order....
Europe’s domestic Group I spot prices rally amid “sold out” spot market
LONDON (ICIS)--European Group I base oils spot prices were locked in an upward trend on diesel profitability, tight supply and formulation switching. All grades gained USD$150.00/tonne this week...
Europe SBR spot prices spike by triple digits on feedstock costs and supply tightness
LONDON (ICIS)--European styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) spot prices continued to rocket upwards, with prices assessed at triple-digit increases this week. Spot 1500 dry grade prices have been assessed...
Europe styrene April Blended Formula Index soars on cost, spot gains
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe styrene April Blended Formula Index was assessed increasing €303/tonne from March, with support from sharply higher spot and feedstock prices in recent weeks. The April...
US natural gas futures trend lower during shoulder season
Henry Hub futures trend lower during shoulder season US LNG feedgas demand increased week on week Storage data shows inventories stood 3% above five-year average HOUSTON (ICIS)—US natural gas...
Hungarian gas flows shift dramatically on 1 April as Ukrainian import demand plunges
Hungarian gas flows change significantly on 1 April Exports to Ukraine fall to zero but Slovakia taking more Regional price spreads also shifting, with Hungary’s MGP rising above Austrian VTP...
Europe Q2 sulphuric acid supply contract talks indicate increases ahead
LONDON (ICIS)--Sulphuric acid supply contract talks are in progress across northwest Europe, with increases seen as likely for both smelter and burner acid. Upstream, burner feedstock sulphur supply...
Industry overcapacity weighs on outlook for Hanwha Total Petchem – Moody’s
LONDON (ICIS)--Despite the Middle East conflict, South Korea’s Hanwha TotalEnergies Petrochemical (HTP) should improve earnings this year, credit watchdog Moody’s said in an update on Thursday....