Industry News
Chemical Industry News
N America chemical rail traffic rises for fourth week, US up 8.6%
HOUSTON (ICIS)--North American chemical railcar traffic rose 5.3% year on year, to 51,419 loadings for the week ended 28 February, marking a fourth consecutive increase, according to freight rail...
US services economy expands for 20th consecutive month in February
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US services economy expanded for a 20th consecutive month in February, with the pace of new orders and employment accelerating, according to the latest services purchasing...
Europe PET shaken by Poland outage amid high-impact global disruptions
LONDON (ICIS)--A heady mix of major global pressures and technical issues at Indorama’s Polish plant is throwing Europe’s polyethylene terephthalate (PET) market into disarray. Spot offer prices...
ICIS EXPLAINS: Iran’s political future to redefine oil and gas supply outlook
Oil and gas prices have soared since the US and Israel launched a wave of attacks on Iran on 28th February. As Iran retaliates, striking critical energy installations across the region, the question...
Impact of Middle East war on Europe’s MEG market hinges on duration of conflict
LONDON (ICIS)--The impact of the US-Iran conflict on Europe’s ethylene glycols (EG) market will be moderated by lengthy supply and subdued demand, but the effects will likely increase the longer...
Orlen posts February model petchem margin at €159/tonne
LONDON (ICIS)--Poland’s Orlen said on Wednesday that its model petrochemical margin in February was recorded at €159/tonne versus €162/tonne in January 2025 and €138/tonne in February 2025....
GAS ALERT: FluxSwiss cancels April monthly gas capacity auctions
LONDON (ICIS)--Swiss network-operator FluxSwiss has cancelled April monthly capacity auctions “due to the impact of maintenances on the adjacent systems,” it announced on 4 March. The operator...
EU Commission signals fertilizer CBAM exemption unlikely as market turmoil overshadows debate
LONDON (ICIS)--The European Commission has doubled down on its position that fertilizers will remain covered by the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), despite expectations earlier this year...
Europe base oils export prices soar as US-Iran war drives up feedstock prices
LONDON (ICIS)--European base oils export prices jumped this week on confirmed deals in the market as disruptions in the Middle East sent feedstock values soaring. Prices for SN150 increased...
Shintech announces expansion plans at its Plaquemine, LA, facility
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US PVC major Shintech has announced that it will invest $3.4 billion into expanding its chemical capacities at its Plaquemine, Louisiana, site, according to a press release. The...
Oil spike from Iran war to hit US GDP, pressure inflation but also boost US competitiveness – ICIS economist
NEW YORK (ICIS)--The surge in crude oil and natural gas prices from the Iran war will reduce US economic growth while increasing inflation. However, US industry - especially chemicals - should become...
Polish gas exchange trading rises 17% in 2025 as demand rebounds
Polish exchange trading surged in 2025 as demand rebounded In contrast, OTC volumes dropped slightly Prices continued their decline from a historic peak in 2023 LONDON (ICIS)-- Data from Polish...
INSIGHT: Uncertainty looms over Europe’s styrene market as US-Iran conflict threatens supply
LONDON (ICIS)--As the conflict in Iran unfolds, the Europe styrene market is gearing up for significant disruption as regional styrene monomer exports begin to dry up. Since 2019, Europe has seen its...
Canadian oil producers set to benefit from higher prices due to US-Iran war, say analysts
TORONTO (ICIS)--Canada’s oil producers stand to benefit from the jump in crude oil prices triggered by the US-Iran war that started on 28 February, but the impacts on Canada’s overall economy...
INSIGHT: Europe chemicals eye war disruption, push prices up as sentiment shifts
BARCELONA (ICIS)--European chemical industry attention is shifting from fears about its future survival to concerns about the impact of war in the Middle East, including rising feedstock costs,...
FOCUS: Global MEG prices face upward pressure on mounting supply concerns, rising crude prices amid US-Iran conflict
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Global monoethylene glycol (MEG) contract and spot prices are facing upward pressure as a result of expected tighter supply, higher freight rates due to war premiums, and rising crude...
GAS ALERT: EU sees no immediate concern to energy following disruption in the Middle East
LONDON(ICIS)--The European Commission and member states have said in a joint news announcement that they do not expect major threats to their energy security of supply amid early developments in the...
Plant status: SABIC plans short turnaround at US phenol/acetone unit
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: SABIC Location: Mount Vernon, Indiana, US Product: Phenol, acetone Capacity (tonnes/year): 340,000 (phenol); 211,000 (acetone) Event start:...
European oil products prices spike on Middle East supply shock
LONDON (ICIS)–-European oil products prices posted exceptional one-day gains on 3 March as markets re-priced supply risk following escalating Middle East tensions and the effective halt of shipping...
Rising Turkey gas exports keep lid on SEE spot prices
Reported spot imports at Strandzha 1 soar despite soaring day-ahead prices Traders may be selling storage volumes as heating season to end Bulgarian spot trades at major discount to TTF LONDON...