Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Africa PP prices up on closure of Strait of Hormuz and damage to oil and LNG operations
LONDON (ICIS)--Africa polypropylene (PP) homopolymer raffia values gained 12.7-14.5% and PP copolymer prices rose by 12.8-15.8% this week in Africa. The markets saw first offers and deals concluded...
WEEKLY POWER OUTLOOK: US-Iran conflict to remain key driver, but warmer weather may pressure spot
Low German wind forecast in early week 11 likely counteracted by high temperatures and solar output French nuclear availability set to remain stable above the five-year average Hungarian spot power...
Italian gas-grid operator unfazed by seasonal backwardation ahead of injection season
Snam CEO says no volume issues for Italy at present despite backwardation Energy decree described as 'positive move' Still time to support gas injection, CEO maintains MILAN (ICIS)--Italian gas...
INSIGHT: Fertilizer supply chains strained as Middle East conflict escalates
LONDON (ICIS)--The global fertilizer market has entered a new phase of volatility as the escalation of the conflict across the Middle East reverberates through nitrogen, phosphate and sulphur...
ICIS ANALYSIS: What will limit US LNG response to war-driven supply gap?
Portfolio players more adaptable to divert cargoes Unsold capacity gives more flexibility to some producers Maintenance, project timeline shifts will limit available supply HOUSTON (ICIS)--Beyond...
Westlake Epoxy seeks April price increases for Americas epoxy resins
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Westlake Epoxy is seeking price increases on its liquid epoxy resins (LER) and solid epoxy resins (SER) in the Americas, effective 1 April, according to a customer letter seen by...
INSIGHT: Hormuz risk premium – from crude to critical minerals, China energy security faces three-stage shock
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--In recent days, US and Israeli military action against Iran has reignited the Middle East tinderbox, sending a major shock through global oil and gas markets. How long the...
Plant status: TPC Group schedules US BD plant maintenance in September
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: TPC Group Location: Houston, Texas, US Product: Butadiene (BD) Capacity (tonnes/year): 508,000 Event timing: September Reason: Planned maintenance...
INSIGHT: China ACN supported by surging costs amid Mideast tensions, demand/export uncertainty
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China's acrylonitrile (ACN) market will continue to find solid support from firm feedstock propylene (C3) prices and supply reduction amid turnarounds. Uncertainties in downstream...
China BD surges triggered by cracker operating fluctuation and supply concerns
SINGAPORE (ICIS)-- Middle East tensions disrupt Strait of Hormuz, fueling global supply fears. Asian butadiene (BD) output faces uncertainty due to crackers operation challenges, and China prices...
Iran conflict cuts off gulf oil and chemicals trade
Effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has stranded exports from Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar
New computer file could standardise how chemists report MOF syntheses
File stores synthesis and characterisation data, much like files for crystal structures
Quantum tunnelling harnessed to radically improve efficiency of separation of deuterium from water
Electrochemical approach counterintuitively relies on making water’s bonds stronger
Photocatalytic material class: high expectations reinforced
Photocatalysis promises an efficient conversion of abundant solar energy into usable chemical energy. Polyheptazine imides have some key structural and functional twists that make them especially interesting for photocatalysis. So far, there was only limited
A flexible electrolyte for solid batteries
Solid-state batteries do not use flammable liquid electrolytes and are therefore safer than conventional lithium-ion batteries. Empa researchers have developed a solid electrolyte based on a stretchable polymer. The scalable material could allow the development
What paralyzes Europe’s laboratories and which levers have an impact
Never before has the willingness to change been so pronounced in Europe's laboratories - and never before have laboratory employees been held back so much. This is shown by the new Starlab Mood Barometer 2026,
Merck reports organic growth despite significant headwinds
Merck delivered on its guidance for 2025 and achieved organic growth despite significant headwinds. Process Solutions in the Life Science business sector, the Cardiovascular, Metabolism & Endocrinology (CM&E) franchise within Healthcare and the Semiconductor Materials
Science4Life awards prizes to six start-ups with innovations for medicine and the energy transition
In 2026, the start-up scene continues to experience an upswing: this year's concept phase of Science4Life e.V. shows how strong the German start-up landscape is, especially in the development of innovations. The most promising start-ups
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude prices climb as Middle East conflict threatens supply chains
Conflict threatens to spread following Azerbaijan attacks Middle East producers could halt crude production if Strait of Hormuz remains shut Asian refiners likely to reduce crude run rates, product...
Plant status: Radici announces FM at adipic acid plant in Italy
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Radici Group Location: Novara, Italy Product: Adipic acid (ADA) Capacity (tonnes/year): 90,000 Event start: 5 March Event finish: Not declared...