Industry News
Chemical Industry News
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...
Europe acetone truck prices leap on low supply
LONDON (ICIS)--European truck spot prices jumped this week on the back of tighter supply. Prices at the lower end of the range were available earlier in the week but were drying up towards the end
Europe PET market sees shift in momentum as Middle East tensions add caution
LONDON (ICIS)--The European polyethylene terephthalate (PET) market registered a noticeable change in pace this week, with both buyers and sellers reporting increased enquiries and a more cautious...
Europe BPA spot prices stable to soft in fairly balanced but slow market
LONDON (ICIS)--European bisphenol A (BPA) spot sentiment is stable to soft this week, in line with business done and as sufficient supply weighed against low demand. A domestic spot deal for four...
Germany wholesale prices keep rising in December, but chems fall 1.0%
LONDON (ICIS)--Germany’s wholesale prices rose 1.2% year on year in December, for a 12th straight increase in 2025, according to data by the country’s federal statistics office. As in November,...
Relocated US etac plant completion, start-up put on hold – Viridis
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Construction at the new site of a Viridis renewable ethyl acetate (etac) plant has been put on hold, the company said this month. The 50,000 tonne/year plant, which had...
Reliance oil to chems earnings jump in Q3 despite weaker chems margins
LONDON (ICIS)--Reliance Industries’ fiscal third-quarter oil to chemicals segment earnings firmed by 14.6% compared with the same period a year earlier, as a stronger transportation fuel crack...
US Dec industrial production rises 0.4% from Nov
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Total US industrial production (IP) increased 0.4% month on month in December, and it was up 2.0% year on year from December 2024, the US Federal Reserve reported on Friday. In Q4,...
Eastward gas demand likely to keep VTP February ’26 supported against TTF
VTP February ’26 premium to TTF up on eastward flow demand Cold weather and low stocks in Ukraine could further tighten supply Austria likely to sustain Q4 ’25 trend of higher flows toward...