Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Beverage industry relies on enzymatic PET recycling from CARBIOS
CARBIOS has announced the signing of two further multi-year commercial agreements for the supply of recycled PET (r-PET) with leading companies in the beverage industry. The signing of these two commercial agreements gives CARBIOS access
Balance sheet after 5 years of the single-use plastic bag ban
Five years ago, on November 26, the German parliament passed a ban on thin single-use plastic bags. In doing so, Germany implemented an EU directive aimed at reducing the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags
Proposal takes aim at risk posed by ‘chemical cocktails’
Mixture allocation factor would weigh toxicity of chemicals as a whole
The chemist using curry to understand indoor air pollution
Ashish Kumar’s research reveals how cooking shapes the air we breathe indoors
‘Plumbyne’ compound featuring multiple carbon–lead bonds synthesised
Relatively weak π bonding in the structure opens up possibility for various chemical reactions
European jet fuel complex softens amid thin demand, heightened risks
LONDON (ICIS)--Europe’s jet fuel complex ended the week to 27 November on a softer footing, as flat prices and differentials retreated after an extended period of supply-driven strength. While...
EU gas stocks drop further, with UK’s inventory cut by 13.5%
LONDON (ICIS)--EU gas stocks have fallen almost 4% to 77% fullness in the last week, as of the latest data available on Thursday, amid lower temperatures. The UK saw the biggest weekly drop, with...
Plant status: Roehm schedules Germany MMA plant maintenance in 2026
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Roehm Locations: Wesseling, Germany and Worms, Germany Product: Methyl methacrylate (MMA) Capacity (tonnes/year): 95,000 (Wesseling), 225,000...
Europe mid-cut fatty alcohol spot prices fall on lower feedstock costs
LONDON (ICIS)--European mid-cut fatty alcohol spot prices declined this week, tracking a sharp drop in upstream palm kernel oil (PKO) values. PKO costs fell by triple digits in November, accelerating...
Europe IPA cosmetic and pharmaceutical grades softer on weak demand
LONDON (ICIS)--European spot pricing for premium cosmetic and pharmaceutical grades of isopropanol (IPA) softened slightly in the week to 25 November, while technical grade pricing was stable....
Wacker Chemie to cut 1,500 jobs globally in €300 million/year cost-saving project
LONDON (ICIS)--Wacker Chemie is to cut more than 1,500 jobs worldwide as part of a €300 million per year cost-saving target, it said on Thursday. Most of the job cuts will be at the group's
CHART OF THE WEEK: US, Middle East sees high LNG utilization in 2025
Strong US LNG utilisation boosts European gas security Qatar runs full out, ahead of expansion Ongoing low rates from some African, South American producers LONDON (ICIS)--US and Middle East LNG...
China’s propylene sector hemmed between high costs and weak demand
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s propylene prices have been bottoming out since mid-November because of tighter supply. Capacity losses caused by plant shutdowns and relatively firm feedstock propane...
European Parliament supports EUDR postponement and simplification measures
LONDON (ICIS)--The European Parliament and Council are now aligned on the postponement and simplification of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Under the revised timeline, large operators and...
Asia PME biodiesel firms on stronger CPO, weather disruptions, impending holiday demand
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Palm methyl ester (PME) biodiesel export prices in southeast Asia rose in the week ending 27 November, supported by firmer regional CPO feedstock values, flood-related harvesting...
LNG shipping sees further rate rises amid scramble for prompt winter bookings
LONDON (ICIS)--Spot LNG charter rates have continued their upward trajectory in the week, driven by Atlantic demand, which has demonstrated rate rises into fixtures starting from the end of December....
Europe capro Nov contract prices rise on higher feedstock, tighter supply
LONDON (ICIS)--European caprolactam (capro) contract prices for November have settled at a €100/tonne increase from October. Upward pressure from double-digit price rise of upstream benzene...
Plant status: BASF declares force majeure on ethylene glycols at Antwerp, Belgium
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: BASF Location: Antwerp, Belgium Product: Ethylene glycol (EG) Capacity (tonnes/year): 325,000 Event start: 26 November Event finish: Unclear...
Plant status: Taiwan’s Nan Ya Plastics eyes mid-Jan restart for oxos unit
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Nan Ya Plastics Location: Mailiao, Taiwan Product: 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH), iso-butanol (IBA) Capacity (tonnes/year): 205,000 (2-EH), 6,000 (IBA)...
LNG Weekly Market Report: Asia prices fall on subdued demand, high inventories
OUTLOOK Asian and European LNG prices are sliding. In northeast Asia, subdued demand and bloated inventories are keeping buyers on the sidelines, despite the onset of winter Japan and South Korea...