Industry News
Chemical Industry News
UK February ’26 Baseload above Dutch, French contracts, but below German equivalent
UK power February ’26 Baseload contract above Dutch, French counterparts, but at discount to German contract Weather, interconnector outages key drivers for UK power prices through February,...
Plant status: China’s Kingboard Chemical to shut No 2 acetic acid plant
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Kingboard Chemical Location: Xingtai, Hebei, China Product: Acetic acid Capacity (tonnes/year): 800,000 (No 2) Event start: 3 January 2026 Event...
East China toluene port inventory higher on more arrivals
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Toluene inventory at east China ports increased to 46,900 tonnes in the reporting period ended 31 December on more arrivals, according to ICIS data. The inventory was up by around...
OUTLOOK ’26: Asia fatty alcohols mid-cuts to see demand ahead of Lunar New Year holidays
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s mid-cuts fatty alcohols market is expected to see Chinese spot interest picking up pace into January ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays in February 2026. Restocking...
OUTLOOK ’26: Soap noodles demand tepid in early 2026 on fluctuations in feedstocks
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Demand for soap noodles is expected to be tepid in early 2026 due to the fluctuations in the upstream crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel oil (PKO) markets amid macroeconomic...
OUTLOOK ’26: Asia fatty acids demand to pick up in early Jan ahead of Lunar New Year holidays
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s fatty acids market is expected to see increased Chinese spot interest into January 2026 on restocking activities ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays, which falls in...
OUTLOOK ’26: Asia butyl glycol faces margin squeeze, P-series demand wanes on recycled alternatives
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s butyl glycol (BG) markets are bracing for a challenging start to 2026 after prices in 2025 fell to their lowest level in five years, pressured by significant capacity...
OUTLOOK ’26: Asia Group II base oils faces a challenging year as supply lengthens
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s Group II base oils market will enter 2026 under mounting pressure as structural supply shifts are expected to tilt the balance toward a surplus. ExxonMobil’s new capacity...
OUTLOOK ’26: China base oils imports to stabilize, downstream demand to recover slowly
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--After a continuous decline from 2020 through 2025, China’s overall base oils imports are expected to stabilize in 2026, driven by the start-up of ExxonMobil Singapore’s new unit...
OUTLOOK ’26: Asia GAA and acrylates weakness to continue with demand growth lagging
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The Asia-Pacific glacial acrylic acid (GAA) and acrylates market has seen new capacities coming online in 2025 in China and India, adding on to overcapacity and self-sufficiency....
OUTLOOK ’26: Asia glycerine demand likely soft on weak downstream ECH in Jan-Feb
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s glycerine demand is expected to remain soft in early 2026 due to the weak downstream epichlorohydrin (ECH) market. ECH seasonal demand usually slows early in the year...
OUTLOOK ’26: No signs of recovery in Europe ethylene oxide chain
LONDON (ICIS)--European ethylene oxide (EO) 2026 discussions largely centred around stable-to-soft agreements, depending on starting point and account, at the end of 2026. Optimism for January...
OUTLOOK ’26: Rationalized Europe epoxy ops landscape weighed against muted demand
LONDON (ICIS)--European epoxy resin players will face reduced structural capacity in 2026 following Westlake’s Pernis site closure, but buyers remain composed amid a modest demand outlook. Seller...
OUTLOOK ’26: US caustic soda demand expected to remain challenged in 2026
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US caustic soda market is expected to face continued hurdles in 2026 with supply growth expected amid a backdrop of flat to softer demand. The market faces further headwinds from...
OUTLOOK ’26: Structural shifts drive bearish views for Europe naphtha in H1 2026
LONDON (ICIS)--Europe’s naphtha and gasoline markets are entering 2026 shaped by structural shifts in the refining and petrochemical sectors. Weak petchem demand, crude volatility to dictate...
OUTLOOK ’26: Americas base oil markets set to navigate oversupply alongside stagnant demand
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Americas base oil markets are expected to be oversupplied relative to demand through 2026. Key themes that will drive base oils markets in North and South America include: Group I:...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe P-series glycol ethers bracing for more import pressure, subdued demand
LONDON (ICIS)--The focus for European propylene glycol ethers heading into 2026 will be the outcome of ongoing strategic domestic asset reviews, and the impact of Asia-origin imports on the domestic...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe glycerine supply instability looms amid stable demand
LONDON (ICIS)--Evolving supply dynamics linked to biodiesel run rates and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) have resulted in mixed supply expectations for the European glycerine market. EUDR...
DOMO’s Germany subsidiaries file for insolvency though operations continue
LONDON (ICIS)--DOMO Chemicals’ three German subsidiaries have filed for insolvency though operations at all sites are currently continuing, the Belgium-based company said. The affected business...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe PO demand weakness from derivatives expected to limit recovery
LONDON (ICIS)--The European propylene oxide (PO) market remained weak in 2025, with consumption in 2026 forecast to stay at subdued levels. Permanent plant shutdown in Europe Macroeconomic...