Industry News
Chemical Industry News
One-step photochemical method switches nitrogen and carbon to convert pyrazoles into imidazoles
Transformation tolerates a broad range of functional groups while preserving the peripheral substitution of the heterocycle
Japan’s May core inflation holds steady as subsidies help offset higher energy costs
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Japan’s core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes volatile fresh food costs, rose by 1.4% year on year in May, holding steady from April as fuel subsidies helped to mitigate...
Italy’s GSE publishes third biomethane concession acts under NRRP funds scheme
This story is part of the ICIS biomethane report, which we are currently testing with our customers. You can access the latest version of the test report here. LONDON (ICIS)--Italy’s GSE has...
German biogas association calls for changes to planning rules and higher capacity limits for plants
This story is part of the ICIS biomethane report, which we are currently testing with our customers. You can access the latest version of the test report here. LONDON (ICIS)--On 15 June, Germany’s...
Plant status: Idemitsu extends Malaysia SM plant maintenance to late June
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Idemitsu SM Malaysia Location: Pasir Gudang, Malaysia Product: Styrene monomer (SM) Capacity (tonnes/year): 240,000 Event start: 1 May 2026...
Ukraine scales up biomethane output with new capacity and EU exports – IEA
This story is part of the ICIS biomethane report, which we are currently testing with our customers. You can access the latest version of the test report here. LONDON (ICIS)--The International Energy...
Irish regulator updates biomethane connections policy to support grid injection
This story is part of the ICIS biomethane report, which we are currently testing with our customers. You can access the latest version of the test report here. LONDON (ICIS)--Ireland’s Commission...
Asia BD squeezed by heavy losses in China, weak demand
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Massive losses in China’s domestic butadiene (BD) market are crippling discussions for imports at a time when downstream demand support is already shaky across Asia. On 18 June,...
Plant status: S Korea’s OCI conducts PA plant maintenance
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: OCI Location: Pohang, South Korea Product: Phthalic anhydride (PA) Capacity (tonnes/year): 80,000 (combined capacity of two lines) Event start:...
Plant status: S Korea’s LG Chem to overhaul Yeosu phenol/acetone plant late Oct
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: LG Chem Location: Yeosu, South Korea Product: Phenol; acetone Capacity (tonnes/year): No 1 line - 300,000 (phenol); 180,000 (acetone) Event...
Oil stays below $80/barrel as US-Iran deal takes effect
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Oil prices were extending losses in early Friday, with Brent crude staying below $80/barrel for the fourth day, as vessel traffic starts trickling through the Strait of Hormuz...
Rare-earth-free zinc oxide achieves a first in stress-to-light conversion
Mechanoluminescent materials convert mechanical energy such as stress, strain, and vibration directly into light, making them attractive as self-powered sensors that require no batteries or wiring. From biomedical sensors to self-powered infrastructure monitoring sensors, mechanoluminescent
Ru-based catalyst drives electrified lignin upgrading into high-value fuels
Lignin is one of the most abundant renewable aromatic resources on Earth. As a major component of plant biomass, it contains rich benzene-ring structures that could be transformed into high-value chemicals and fuel molecules. However,
Designable van der Waals crystal realizes artificial neuronal cell mimicking with light
A research team led by Professor Taesung Kim of the School of Mechanical Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU, President Ji-beom Yoo) developed an optoelectronic synaptic device that mimics the functions of human neurons and synapses
INEOS Styrolution to close US PS plant in Illinois
HOUSTON (ICIS)--INEOS Styrolution plans to close its polystyrene (PS) plant in Channahon, Illinois, US by Q4 2026, the company said on Thursday. The plant's capacity is 400,000 tonnes/year, and it...
LNG Weekly Market Report: Shifting Qatari supply picture weighs on Asian LNG prices
OUTLOOK The US and Iran were scheduled to begin talks on 19 June in Geneva on a framework to settle remaining disputes after agreeing to a 60-day ceasefire this week that will open the Strait
NYMEX: US natural gas futures gain, driven by bullish demand
Front-month US natural gas futures gained on 18 June, driven by cooling demand and LNG feedgas demand The July 2026 Henry Hub contract on NYMEX settled at $3.233/MMBtu, up nearly 2.8% from the...
INSIGHT: US petrochemical prices begin to ease from US-Iran conflict related spikes
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Some petrochemical prices in the US have eased following a tentative agreement towards ending the US-Iran conflict in the Middle East. Prices for most petrochemical products rose as...
Plant status: AmSty US Allyn’s Point PS site restarts after completed turnaround – sources
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Americas Styrenics (AmSty) Location: Allyn's Point, Connecticut Product: General purpose polystyrene (GPPS) Capacity (tonnes/year): 115,000 Event...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices finish mixed on late rebound as peace in Middle East moves closer
Interim deal leads to fall in prices before late round of bargain hunting Saudi supertankers may have already passed through Strait of Hormuz Ukraine launches successful drone attack on Moscow...