Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Gas dominates UK 2029/2030 capacity market auction as clearing price drops
UK’s T-4 capacity market auction for delivery year 2029-30 clears at £27.10/kW/year, 55% lower than last year Gas-fired generation dominates the auction Winners to supply committed capacity during...
Argentina chemicals output rises 7.2% in January as pharma, agro offset plastics slump
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Argentina's chemicals output rose 7.2% in January, year on year, with strong gains in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals masking a steep contraction in plastics and synthetic rubber,...
Europe refinery solvents’ price pressure continues
LONDON (ICIS)--European refinery solvents truck prices were driven up again this week on the back of firmer feedstocks. Upstream, volatility and high pricing is ongoing as markets react to the war in...
Brazil’s Petrobras naphtha sales drop within ‘normal’ range, fertilizer output ramps up – spokesperson
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Petrobras has attributed a sharp fall in naphtha sales during Q4 and 2025 overall to routine refinery dynamics rather than any structural shift, a spokesperson for the Brazilian...
Mexico inflation up to 4.02% in February, clouding Banxico rate-cut prospects
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Mexico's annual rate of inflation accelerated to 4.02% in February, up from 3.79% in January, pushing the headline rate to the upper limit of the central bank's tolerance band and...
Strait of Hormuz traffic remains at standstill amid new attacks on commercial vessels
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Traffic of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz remains at a standstill as three vessels were hit by unknown projectiles on Wednesday....
Iran war main German power April ’26 driver amid mixed fundamentals
German April ’26 shifts to bullish trend driven by Iran conflict Middle East developments likely to remain key driver with the market in “wait-and-see” mode - traders Stronger wind, solar key...
Strong upward price push for EU epoxy in March due to Middle East war
LONDON (ICIS)--Steep price hikes are on the table for Europe epoxy in March, in particular for spot, due to cost pressures because of the US-Israel war with Iran, while there is the risk of reduced...
Europe base oils Group III spot values climb on supply constraints deepened by Middle East disruptions
LONDON (ICIS)--European base oils Group III spot prices increased significantly this week as existing tightness in the market is compounded by outages and reduced capacity in the Middle East. Spot...
Europe base oils Group I export spot prices surge on competition from gasoil
LONDON (ICIS)--European base oils Group I export spot values soared this week on higher feedstock prices and competition from gasoil. Prices for SN150 increased $120/tonne on the low end and...
Atomic radii & synthetic food dyes
In this episode, we discuss the where the true limits of an atom lie, the US’s plan to eliminate synthetic food dyes, and hear the latest headlines
EU to consider gas-for-power price cap among options to cut energy costs
EU to consider gas-for-power price cap to help lower electricity prices Cap would not apply to wholesale gas market prices EU leaders will examine options at a summmit 19-20 March LONDON...
PODCAST: LNG remains critical to Europe’s security of supply despite geopolitical and regulatory risks
LONDON (ICIS)--The US-Israeli led war against Iran has unleashed extreme volatility across energy markets, with natural gas prices rising as much as 70% in the first ten days of March. Traders fear...
INSIGHT: Secondary impacts of Middle East conflict could reshape Europe recycled polymer markets
LONDON (ICIS)--While there has been no direct impact from the Middle East conflict on Europe recycled polymer prices to date, the secondary impacts from price movements in related markets and...
INSIGHT: Thin liquidity, disrupted trade flows challenge base oils as prices rise amid Iran conflict
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Five key points this week to summarize the Iran war's impact on global base oil markets: Gasoil (diesel) strength will continue to divert refinery economics away from base oils. The...
Investment funds close 330TWh of gross TTF positions in one week on Iran war volatility
Investment funds close 330TWh of gross ICE TTF positions Volatility drives both profit-taking and stop-outs Large uptick in registered participants across all categories LONDON (ICIS)--Investment...
Indorama Ventures seeking 10 cent/lb price increase on US PET
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Indorama Ventures announced it is seeking a 10 cent/lb price increase on US polyethylene terephthalate (PET), effective immediately. The company attributed the ongoing Middle East...
Polytope formalism offers a new way to chart chemical space
Framework can investigate regions of chemical space that are normally inaccessible, painting a clearer picture of how molecules can form, transform and interconvert
Syngenta to close UK paraquat herbicide factory
90 jobs will be cut when Huddersfield plant stops making chemical that is banned in EU