Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Computer scientist Kathleen Fisher to become next head of UK’s advanced research agency
New chief executive of Aria brings experience from previous roles at US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Long local supply continues to weigh on Vietnam PP market
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Buying sentiment for polypropylene (PP) in Vietnam continued to be weighed down by a long local supply, curbing import activity in the process. Non-dutiable flat yarn cargoes of...
SE Asia BOPP may find some support from tighter supply
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Tighter supply may provide some support for BOPP prices in southeast Asia going forward, especially with freight costs making Chinese cargoes more expensive. Some dutiable BOPP...
Indonesia PP discussions hampered by buy-sell gap as exporters stand firm
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--A buy-sell gap is hampering imported polypropylene (PP) discussions in Indonesia, with some suppliers resisting calls for discounts thus far. Some non-dutiable flat yarn cargoes of...
New evidence sheds light on mystery of ‘magic-angle’ graphene’s superconductivity
Best evidence yet points to unconventional superconductivity in twisted layer material
ICIS TTF Early Day assessments: 21 November 2025
- Planned maintenance at Norwegian gas plants and fields is forecast at 32.40mcm/day on 21 November - Gassco - Temperatures in northwest Europe are expected below average in the week starting 24...
What can biochemists learn from drama?
How my acting background helps me build my scientific skills
Plant status: China’s ZRCC restarts BD No 2 plant
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Sinopec Zhenhai Refining and Chemical Company (ZRCC) Location: Ningbo, Zhejiang, China Product: Butadiene (BD) Capacity (tonnes/year): 160,000...
Thailand brand owners lend support to rPE, rPP demand
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Brand owners of high-value personal care products in Thailand continue to lift spot recycled polyethylene (rPE) and recycled polypropylene (rPP) cargoes from domestic and overseas...
Japan’s Niigata prefecture gives nod for restart of TEPCO nuclear units
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Niigata prefecture Governor Hideyo Hanazumi has agreed to allow the restart of the Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant units 6 and 7, with a vote...
Asia rPET feedstock prices drop to new lows on weak demand
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Spot prices of post-consumer bottle bales, used as feedstock for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), dropped anew this week due to prolonged weakness in recycling demand....
Plant status: Taiwan’s CPDC ACN units complete planned maintenance
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: China Petrochemical Development Corp (CPDC) Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan Product: Acrylonitrile (ACN) Capacity (tonnes/year): 240,000 (two units)...
Asia synthetic rubber markets at close to two-year low, outlook hazy
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s spot prices for various synthetic rubber grades, from styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) to polybutadiene rubber (PBR), have fallen to lows not seen since January 2024, and...
S Korea benzene exports from Nov 1-20 up month on month
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--South Korea exported some 178,162 tonnes of benzene in the first 20 days of November, according to sources familiar with the market. For the first 10 days of November, South Korea...
Asia oleochemicals players shrug off latest EUDR proposal to delay implementation to 2026
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia oleochemicals players have shrugged off the proposed changes in the EU Deforestation Regulation, which have seen implementation being reviewed and delayed time and again, to...
Singapore raises 2025 GDP growth forecast on strong semiconductor demand
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Singapore upgraded its 2025 GDP growth forecast to around 4.0% from 1.5-2.5% previously on the back of strong demand for AI-related semiconductors and server-related products in Q3,...
Asia EG prices hit fresh lows this year on rising supply, poor year-end demand
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Rising availability and sluggish year-end downstream demand have caused Asia ethylene glycol (EG) prices to hit fresh lows this year, with the weak markets unlikely to improve in...
S Korea 1-20 Nov PX exports up 28.8% on month
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--South Korea exported a total of around 365,311 tonnes of paraxylene (PX) during the period 1-20 November, up by 28.8% compared to the same period in the previous month, according to...
Plant status: India’s Haldia Petrochemicals eyes H2 ’26 start-up of phenol/acetone project
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) Location: Haldia, West Bangal, India Product: Phenol; acetone Capacity (tonnes/year): 345,000 (phenol); 215,000...
China’s October 2025 output of plastic products continues falling amid trade war
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s plastic products output in October 2025 continued falling year on year, as the trade war brought uncertainty to the market, resulting in a decrease in orders. The output...