Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Europe MX demand rises on seasonal stockbuilding
LONDON (ICIS)--The European mixed xylenes (MX) spot premium range rose again in the week ending 16 January as demand rose on the back of restocking, which is typical at this time of year. Mon Tue
INSIGHT: Europe 2026 duty-free VAM quota projected to expire in Q3, acetic acid quota to last whole year
LONDON (ICIS)--European duty-free quotas for acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) have been set for 2026 at the same levels as the previous year. This means that duty-free imports will most...
Asia to Europe chemical tanker spot rates rise again
LONDON (ICIS)--After a substantial rise in spot freight rates for chemical tanker shipping from Asia to Europe previously, further uplift was seen in week ending 16 January, based on market feedback....
MARGINS: Europe naphtha-based cracker margins fall, LPG-based margins increase
LONDON (ICIS)--Naphtha-based cracker margins in Europe fell week on week on the back of firmer feedstock costs, while operators based on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) posted an increase amid lower...
The toxic chemistry behind skin bleaching products
The global skin-lightening market is worth over $10 billion and growing, but the unregulated products driving it contain dangerous chemicals linked to serious health risks. Zahra Khan speaks to the scientists and advocates trying to
EDL Anlagenbau expands management team
Daniel Oryan and Luis Villalobos are set to jointly assume leadership of EDL Anlagenbau Gesellschaft mbH. Luis Villalobos, who had led the company’s Project Execution Division since April 2023, was appointed as an additional Managing
Composing Nanomaterials – with AI and Chemistry
LMU researcher Professor Alexander Urban and his team have developed a tool that could revolutionize the design of new materials. Synthesizer is a platform that combines automated chemical synthesis, high-throughput characterization, and data-driven modeling. The
A new sustainable raw material for chemistry
A research project conducted by the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung shows how biomass can be used as a raw material for chemical products instead of petroleum. The scientists have now published their exciting findings in the
US regulator rejects UP-Norfolk Southern merger
HOUSTON (ICIS)--A US regulator rejected on Friday a merger application from Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS), two Class 1 railroads that intended to create a massive coast-to-coast...
Europe methanol spot prices stable to firm on restocking
LONDON (ICIS)--European methanol spot prices were stable to firm this week while restocking activities increased in Rotterdam. Low Rhine water levels last week had limited impact on distribution,...
NYMEX: US natural gas futures edge down despite colder weather, US LNG feedgas recovery
Front-month US natural gas futures slightly lower on 16 January, on strong US gas production The February 2026 Henry Hub contract on NYMEX settled at $3.103/MMBtu, down nearly 0.8% from the previous...
Asia-US container rates mixed as demand remains weak ahead of Lunar New Year holiday
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Rates for shipping containers from east Asia and China to the US were mixed this week, but largely rangebound as 1 January rate hikes failed to stick as demand remains weak even ahead...
More ocean carriers could soon follow as Maersk joins CMA CGM in return to Red Sea route
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Global container shipping major Maersk has successfully transited the Suez Canal and will implement its first structural change of a service back to the trans-Suez route, which could...
ICIS DATA: S Korea epoxy resins exports to US tested in 2025 by duties, tariffs
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Exports of epoxy resins from South Korea to the US in 2025 fell 14% from 2024, according to ICIS Supply and Demand Database. South Korea is the largest foreign supplier of epoxy...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude benchmarks rise as volatility in Iran adds to risk premium
Trump’s statement appears to lower chance of imminent action against Iran Risk premium remains high as US moves additional forces into Middle East Monday will see publication of a raft of Chinese...
US builder confidence falls in January, first decline in five months
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US builder sentiment in the market for newly built single-family homes fell in January, the first decline in five months, according to the latest survey by the National Association of...
Firm completes US plant that converts CO2 to acetic acid
HOUSTON (ICIS)--A Danish startup company called Again has mechanically completed a plant that converts waste carbon dioxide (CO2) into acetic acid, it said on Friday. The plant is in the...
INSIGHT: US commodity chemicals trade surplus surged in 2025 after tariffs – ICIS analysis
NEW YORK (ICIS)--US tariffs have changed global chemical trade flows, thus far giving a major lift to the US commodity chemicals trade surplus. From Q1-Q3 2025, the US commodity chemicals trade...
Plant status: INEOS Styrolution Mexico facility enters planned maintenance for PS
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: INEOS Styrolution Location: Altamira, Tamaulipas, Mexico Product: General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) Capacity (tonnes/year): 175,000 Event start:...
Canada Oct chem-plastics exports fall 6.9% year on year, but trade deficit shrinks
TORONTO (ICIS)--Canada’s exports of basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products fell 6.9% year on year to Canadian dollar (C$) 3.402 billion (US$2.447 billion) in October, according...