Industry News
Chemical Industry News
US Feb auto sales rebound from Jan but down year on year as affordability issues persist
HOUSTON (ICIS)--February sales of new light vehicles surged from January but were down by 1.4% year on year as affordability issues continue to create headwinds for the industry, one of the largest...
German auto production, sales still far below pre-crisis, but EVs a bright spot
LONDON (ICIS)--Germany’s domestic auto production and sales remained far below their pre-pandemic levels in the first two months of 2026, according to data from the automotive trade group VDA....
HYDROGEN: Subsidised EU renewable hydrogen projects must use EU-made electrolyzers
LONDON (ICIS)--On 4 March, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal for the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), which would require that renewable hydrogen projects awarded subsidies by...
European PET market splits on cost pressure and panic buying
LONDON (ICIS)--European polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sources are split. Producers are individually pushing for steep price increases on soaring costs while buyers warn panic‑driven prices...
Shintech’s expansion plans could pressure US VCM producers, add length
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Shintech’s recent announcement that it intends to expand capacities at its Plaquemine, Louisiana facility could put pressure on other producers, assuming the landscape in the...
US natural gas futures gains capped by bearish demand amid Middle East conflict
Henry Hub futures gained slightly on geopolitical energy risk concerns, bearish demand March forecasts indicate mild weather for most of US Storage data shows inventories decreased to 2.2% below...
Putin muses on early end to Russian gas exports to Europe, will instruct government to work on idea
Putin moots early end to European gas exports, HU/SK excluded Unclear if proposal would include LNG alongside pipeline volumes LNG redirection easier than pipeline supply due to infrastructure...
Europe base oils Group II/III players pull offers, braced for tightness from Middle East disruptions
LONDON (ICIS)--The European base oils Group II and Group III markets have stalled as producers pull offers, with shortages and volatility after disruptions in the Middle East and the ensuing crude...
Freight surge and supply constraints fuel PET/PTA turmoil in Europe
LONDON (ICIS)--Europe’s polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and upstream purified terephthalic acid (PTA) markets are facing extreme volatility as soaring freight rates, constrained supply and low...
INSIGHT: Five key takeaways for global crude market amid Iran escalation
LONDON (ICIS)-- Five key points summarize the Iran war’s impact on global crude markets: Oil prices have risen by between 15 to 20% since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East. While this
INSIGHT: Europe AA, acrylate esters markets brace for hikes as Middle East conflict continues
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe acrylic acid (AA) and acrylate ester markets are bracing for price rises amid the global fallout from the conflict in the Middle East. Brent crude values and liquefied...
Poland to add 1.2GW gas-fired generation capacity by 2030
Poland to build two new gas-fired power plants totalling 1.2GW The units will boost flexibility of power system and additional capacity during peak demand Commissioning of both units expected in 2030...
PPC-METLEN announce 1.5GW battery project in Romania, Bulgaria, Italy
1.5GW lithium BESS project planned across Romanian, Bulgaria, Italy 1GW expected to go online in next 12 months Impact on wholesale baseload power prices to remain marginal – ICIS Analytics London...
Nuclear dominates UK’s T-1 capacity market auction
T-1 capacity market auction for delivery in 2026-27 cleared at £5/kW/year, 75% lower than last year’s auction A total of 7.2GW was procured across 195 capacity market units, with nuclear...
INSIGHT: Crude prices climb amid US-Iran conflict; styrene and derivatives pressure would come from upstream feedstocks
HOUSTON (ICIS) – With crude prices rising in response to the US-Iran conflict and shipping restrictions from the Strait of Hormuz, increases in feedstock costs would put upward pressure on...
INSIGHT: European phenol/acetone and derivatives chain braces for higher costs
LONDON (ICIS)--Escalating cost concerns as the conflict in the Middle East continues are amongst the latest challenges facing the European phenol and acetone chain. Targeted price increases...
Europe markets and chems stocks stabilise amid geopolitical instability, prospect of higher prices
LONDON (ICIS)--European chemicals stocks have moderated as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate. Listed company share prices largely remained stable, with the most significant move...
INSIGHT: Europe methanol market turns bullish on gas rally, supply threats
LONDON (ICIS)--European methanol spot pricing is trending bullish for March/April loading due to supply risks and a spike in natural gas costs. Middle East conflict leads firmer energy markets for...
Temporary ETS intervention could help reduce energy costs, industry source
EU college of commissioners to discuss energy prices on 6 March Price interventions could exacerbate underlying shortage, traders Exceptional release of unallocated allowances from the Market...
UBE delays start-up of US battery chemicals plant; AI data centers support demand
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Japan’s UBE Corp is delaying the start-up of its upcoming US dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) plant in Louisiana to 2027. Instead of November 2026, as...