Industry News
Chemical Industry News
German caustic soda ECU contract margins rise in week ending 20 February, chlorine value increases
LONDON (ICIS)--Average German membrane electrochemical unit (ECU) contract margins rose in the week ending 20 February, as chlorine values were calculated at a higher level. The ECU value rose, and...
US Stepan hit by Q4 loss on weak surfactants demand, interest costs
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Stepan swung to a net loss of $531,000 in the fourth quarter, down by 119% year on year, on the back of rising interest expenses and weaker demand in its core surfactants business,...
Unruly [1,2]-Wittig reaction tamed to produce products with precise stereochemistry
Stubborn rule-breaker becomes a model reaction by sidestepping radical reaction mechanism altogether
Unravelling the chemistry behind the sea’s bioluminescent sparkle
Researchers are piecing together the unusual chemical reactions that enable dinoflagellates to create spectacular light displays in tropical bays. But the mechanism behind their bioluminescence remains one of nature’s most puzzling chemical mysteries
The Potential of Sodium Ion Batteries
Sodium ion batteries have become a hot topic: They are considered to be cost-effective and widely available. At the same time, dependencies on Asian supply chains could be reduced. But does the technology deliver what
Artificial DNA base pair developed based on halogen bonds
For the first time, researchers have succeeded in developing an artificial DNA base pair that is based on a different chemical force than natural genetic material. While the common natural DNA building blocks are held
Bio-based fibers receive chemically bonded flame retardants
Fibers made from bio-based plastics reduce dependence on fossil raw materials and promote the circular economy. The covalent bonding of flame-retardant additives can open the way for these fibers to enter the mass market. The
US to use another statute to revive portion of tariffs voided by court
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US President Donald Trump said he will impose a 10% global tariff under Section 122 after the US Supreme Court struck down reciprocal tariffs under the International Emergency...
Asia-US container rates edge lower as capacity remains ample despite more blank sailings
HOUSATON (ICIS)--Rates for shipping containers from east Asia and China to the US ticked lower again this week as capacity remains ample even as carriers have increased the number of blank sailings....
NYMEX: US gas futures edge up on short-lived heating demand expectations
Front-month US natural gas futures gained on 20 February on cold weather for early March The March 2026 Henry Hub contract on NYMEX settled at $3.047/MMBtu, up nearly 1.7% from the previous session A...
Supreme Court ruling on IEEPA tariffs could lead to surge in US import demand – analyst
HOUSTON (ICIS)—The US Supreme Court struck down on Friday the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which could lead to a surge...
Europe PS February contract prices rise €120/tonne, aligned with styrene movement
LONDON (ICIS)--February contract prices have increased €120/tonne in the European polystyrene (PS) market, driven by the same movement from the upstream styrene contract price. Distribution prices...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude prices on track for weekly gain amid heightened US-Iran tensions
Supply disruption concerns increasing on tension between US, Iran Hungary, Slovakia search for oil following halt of Russian crude flows through Druzhba pipeline US oil rig count unchanged at 409 -...
Europe EPS contract prices increase €120/tonne for February, in line with feedstock styrene
LONDON (ICIS)--February contract prices have increased €120/tonne in the European expandable polystyrene (EPS) market, driven by the same movement for the upstream styrene contract price. Weak...
Europe ABS February contract prices increase €85/tonne, on feedstock gains
LONDON (ICIS)--February ABS contract prices have increased €85/tonne, driven by the €120/tonne styrene contract price increase for February, and the €17/tonne increase for secondary...
Plant status: Repsol plans Tarragona, Spain BD maintenance in April – sources
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Repsol Location: Tarragona, Spain Products: Butadiene (BD) Capacity (tonnes/year): 120,000 Event start: April Event finish: Q2 Reason: Planned...
US core PCE inflation accelerates to 3.0% pace in December
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US inflation, as measured by the “core” personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, accelerated to a 3.0% year on year pace in December, from 2.8% in November, the Bureau...
US AdvanSix expects continued raw material headwinds in H1
HOUSTON (ICIS)--AdvanSix expects raw material costs to remain a headwind, particularly in the first half of the year, amid significantly higher sulphur and natural gas prices, executives of the...
US Supreme Court tariff ruling unlikely to impact trade deals
US Supreme Court rules IEEPA-based tariffs invalid Trade deals, including those that involve purchases of US energy, agreed after tariff announcements unlikely to be impacted This includes deals for...
US new home sales fall 1.1% in 2025 amid high mortgage rates
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Sales of new single-family houses in the US fell 1.1% to an estimated 679,000 in 2025, according to Census Bureau data released on Friday. Stubbornly high mortgage rates, cooling...