Industry News
Chemical Industry News
China’s October MEG imports up by 5.7% on ample supply from most origins
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s monoethylene glycol (MEG) imports in October rose, due to increased outflows from most import origins, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and the US. The imports in...
Weakening of Japan currency to impact rPET exporters
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asian exporters of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) pellets into Japan expect challenging months ahead, amid a backdrop of weaker Japanese yen against the dollar. Buyers...
Bio-based plastics for infusion bags
Catheters, blood bags, respiratory tubes: disposable medical products made of plastic contribute significantly to the waste load in hospitals and to high greenhouse gas emissions in the healthcare sector. This requires innovative material solutions. Bio-based
Light + air = fuel
At the Center for Fuel Cell Technology, an affiliated institute of the University of Duisburg-Essen, Greenlyte Carbon Technologies put its first commercial liquid solar plant into operation on November 20. It is based on process
Quantum calculations expose hidden chemistry of ice
When ultraviolet light hits ice—whether in Earth's polar regions or on distant planets—it triggers a cascade of chemical reactions that have puzzled scientists for decades. Now, researchers at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of
NYMEX: US gas futures gain on strong LNG feedgas flows, colder weather forecast
US natural gas futures edge up on 21 November with chilly autumn temperatures The December 2025 Henry Hub contract on NYMEX settled at $4.58/MMBtu, up nearly 2.4% from the previous session Through...
Europe PS November contract prices decline for eighth month, distribution prices also decrease
LONDON (ICIS)--Contract prices for November have decreased €20/tonne in the European polystyrene (PS) market, mainly driven by the €17/tonne contract price movement for upstream styrene. This is...
Europe EPS contract prices decrease for eighth month in November
LONDON (ICIS)--Expandable polystyrene (EPS) contract prices for November have decreased €15/tonne, mainly driven by the €17/tonne contract price decrease for upstream styrene. This is the eighth...
Europe ABS November contract prices decrease for eighth month
LONDON (ICIS)--ABS contract prices have decreased €20/tonne for November, mainly driven by feedstock costs including the €17/tonne contract price decrease for key feedstock styrene, €14/tonne...
AkzoNobel/Axalta merger success will take work, may trigger more M&A – banker
NEW YORK (ICIS)--The planned mega merger between Netherlands-based AkzoNobel and US-based Axalta Coating Systems to create the world’s second largest coatings producer with $16.9 billion in sales...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices fall sharply on mounting prospect of Russia-Ukraine peace deal
Prospect of Ukraine-Russia peace deal likely to increase global oil supply Sanctions likely to remain in place for months after any deal US onshore rig count up two to 419 - Baker Hughes LONDON...
Mexico’s Alpek faces sustained profitability woes, key advantages weakening – S&P
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Mexican petrochemical producer Alpek has posted a significant decline in profitability reflecting increased exposure to industry volatility and weaker competitive advantages, credit...
European PET market bottoms out but momentum is critical for suppliers
LONDON (ICIS)--As European polyethylene terephthalate (PET) prices shift up from unsustainably low levels, maintaining momentum is critical for suppliers seeking to avoid further rationalization....
US removes 40% tariffs on Brazilian beef, coffee amid rising food prices
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--US President Donald Trump has removed the 40% tariffs on Brazilian fertilizers-intensive agricultural products including beef, coffee, cocoa and fruits that were imposed in July as...
Brazil’s Braskem to benefit up to $380 million/year from new chemicals tax incentives – analysts
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazil’s petrochemicals major Braskem is expected to benefit by up to $380 million/year in 2026 from a new tax incentive program approved by the country’s Senate this week,...
Plant status: Orlen’s PTA plant in Poland running in line with market conditions after maintenance
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Orlen Location: Wloclawek, Poland Product: Purified terephthalic acid (PTA) Capacity (tonnes/year): 690,000 Event start: November Event finish:...
Plant status: Turkey’s Koksan resumes PET line at full capacity after technical hitch
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Koksan Location: Gaziantep, Turkey Product: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Capacity (tonnes/year): 250,000 Event start: Beginning November Event...
Europe acetone truck spot numbers soften
LONDON (ICIS)--European acetone truck spot prices were lower this week, with demand weak and supply still plentiful. A couple of sources said an importer was not offering material for the time being....
Plant status: Lyondell-Sasol Louisiana cracker shuts down
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Louisiana Integrated (LyondellBasell-Sasol joint venture) Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana Product: Ethylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 1.5m...
ICIS POWER INSIGHT WEEK 47 NEWS IN BRIEF
This news summary was generated via Ask ICIS LONDON (ICIS)--Please find below a short summary of the key power stories ICIS published in week 47. CSS/CDS MONTHLY: Some low-efficiency gas plants back...