Industry News
Chemical Industry News
OUTLOOK ’26: US NGL demand holding steady year on year
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US natural gas liquid (NGL) market enters 2026 with demand shaped by colder weather and strong LNG exports, while inventories across natural gas, ethane and liquefied petroleum...
Northeast Asia C2 consolidation plans progress amid doubts over timeline
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--With ethylene markets likely seeing a challenging year ahead for Asia (be it northeast Asia or southeast Asia), updates on the consolidation plans from northeast Asia probably...
OUTLOOK ’26: Phosphates to feel the effect of China’s absence, farmer affordability concerns
LONDON (ICIS)--The phosphates fertilizer sector is bracing for a year filled with challenges as it begins 2026 grappling with product availability concerns, high input costs, and worries over...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe polyols demand outlook signals tough road ahead for recovery
LONDON (ICIS)--Polyols demand in Europe was moving with slow momentum with no significant recovery anticipated for 2026. European polyols plant closure Elevated interest rates continue to have impact...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe toluene to struggle with limited demand
LONDON (ICIS)--Demand for European toluene is not expected to change substantially as 2026 begins. Overall petrochemical demand likely to remain below traditional expectations Majority of spot demand...
OUTLOOK ’26: US nylon demand weak amid manufacturing contraction
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Looking ahead to 2026, demand declines in US nylon markets which started in Q3 2022 are set to continue well into H2 2026. Demand was weak in multiple application sectors - including...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe acetic acid and VAM to stay defined by weak consumption
LONDON (ICIS)--The European acetic acid and derivative vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) markets were driven by weak underlying demand throughout 2025, with these conditions expected to persist through...
Europe methanol Q1 contract price settles at €510/tonne, 4% increase
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe methanol contract price for the first quarter has settled at €510/tonne, an €18/tonne increase from the fourth quarter. The European contract price (ECP) was agreed on...
OUTLOOK ’26: European melamine suppliers still facing import pressure; reserved demand expectations
LONDON (ICIS)--The European melamine market remains challenged by weak demand conditions and high local production costs driven by ongoing elevated gas costs. Market sources are hoping for a demand...
Plant status: China’s Shandong Jianlan Chemical restarts 2-EH lines
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Shandong Jianlan Chemical Location: Shandong, China Product: 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) Capacity (tonnes/year): 140,000 & 70,000 Event start: 31...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe MEC market set for flat demand as supply holds steady
LONDON (ICIS)--The European methylene chloride (MEC) market is expected to see little change in 2026, with demand recovery remaining elusive. Supply is anticipated to remain sufficient despite recent...
Europe December adipic acid contract prices settle at increases
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe adipic acid (ADA) freely negotiated December contract price has been assessed at an increase from November. The ICIS monthly freely negotiated ADA northwest Europe (NWE) net...
Custom codes for recycled polymers, amendment to Reg. 2022/1616 due in Q2 2026
LONDON (ICIS)--The European Commission sees an “urgent need to ensure a level-playing field” for European recyclers in light of lower-priced imports of feedstocks and finished goods entering the...
Cypriot offshore gas field Aphrodite gets FEED work go-ahead
Aphrodite partners give go-ahead for FEED works Negotiations ongoing on sale of gas to Egypt Production from Aphrodite could start in 2031 LONDON (ICIS)--The consortium developing the Aphrodite gas...
OUTLOOK ’26: European PVC could be facing calm before a dead cat bounce
LONDON (ICIS)--Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has had an undeniably rocky time since 2022. Construction demand consumes most of the polymer that is produced in Europe, and it never rebounded from the...
Plant status: NOC’s Ras Lanuf, Libya cracker off line – sources
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: National Oil Corporation (NOC) Location: Ras Lanuf, Libya Products: Ethylene, propylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 360,000 (ethylene), 185,000...
Europe POM prices decrease in Q4
LONDON (ICIS)--European polyacetal (POM) Q4 prices were assessed at a decrease from Q3. The majority of polyacetal (POM) contracts dropped in Q4 compared with Q3. Prices have been assessed at a...
OUTLOOK ’26: Latin American PE market seeks alternatives amid persistent challenges
SAO PAULO (ICIS)-- 2025 was marked by challenges similar to those seen in 2024, including global polyethylene (PE) oversupply outpacing demand growth, intense competition in local markets from...
OUTLOOK ’26: European PC consumption on the mend as Chinese import market matures
LONDON (ICIS)--European consumption of polycarbonate (PC) is expected to recover slightly in 2026, although remaining below the recent peak annual usage in 2021. The import market may mature, as...
Plant status: JNC eyes oxos turnaround in early May
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: JNC Petrochemical Location: Goi, Japan Product: 2-ethylhexanol Capacity (tonnes/year): 75,000 Event start: early May 2026 Event finish: early...