Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Feedstock falls, weak demand weigh on Asia polyester market
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The recent feedstock falls following slumping crude and the weak downstream demand have weighed on Asia polyester market. Spot discussions for polyester staple fiber (PSF) 1.4...
China May industrial output climbs 4.5% on year
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s industrial output grew by 4.5% year on year in May, accelerating from 4.1% in April, data from the official National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Tuesday....
East China benzene inventories extend decline since March on limited arrivals
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Benzene inventories at shore tanks along eastern China have been falling since March and decreased to 96,000 tonnes on 16 June, according to ICIS data, due to a lack of cargo...
INSIGHT: Softer July demand, rising US exports weigh on CFR China LPG prices
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Trading and pricing focus in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market has shifted to July-arrival cargoes. Amid lower crude prices, slower downstream buying and rising US exports,...
AI helps scientists design better biochar catalysts for removing antibiotic pollution
A new study shows that deep learning can predict how fast biochar materials break down antibiotic contaminants, offering a faster path toward cleaner water and smarter environmental remediation. Antibiotic pollution is an increasing environmental and
INSIGHT: Global crude oil market to take six months to normalize if Strait opens – ICIS Analysis
NEW YORK (ICIS)--With an agreement between the US and Iran to end the war announced on 14 June and a deal set to be signed on Friday, 19 June, optimism is high that the Strait
NYMEX: US natural gas futures edge up on strong US LNG feedgas demand
Front-month US natural gas futures gained on 15 June despite cooler temperature outlooks The July 2026 Henry Hub contract on NYMEX settled at $3.147/MMBtu, up nearly 0.9% from the previous session...
UPDATE: High risk that Hormuz does not immediately reopen – Fitch Ratings
HOUSTON (ICIS)--There is a high risk that the Strait of Hormuz does not open immediately, and a possibility exists that the US and Iran will not sign or implement the agreement they are scheduled to...
Westlake completes acquisition of Vynova’s insolvent vinyls plant in Germany
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Westlake has completed the acquisition of Vynova’s insolvent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) site in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, the US-based vinyls producer...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices reach three-month lows as Iran and US reach interim peace deal
Peace deal between Iran and US pressures markets, traders in wait-and-see position ICIS predicts crude prices to rise again in July with summer ramp up Hostilities in Lebanon could add tension LONDON...
US homebuilder confidence ticks lower in June as affordability issues persist
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US builder sentiment for newly built single-family homes fell by two points in June as rising material costs, elevated mortgage rates and ongoing affordability challenges continue to...
Carriers likely to remain cautious in return to Strait of Hormuz amid US-Iran peace deal
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Ocean carriers are likely to remain cautious before resuming transits through the Strait of Hormuz after the US and Iran reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that calls for...
Iran peace deal triggers US commodity chem sell-off, specialty rally
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US-listed share prices of commodity chemical producers fell in midday trading on Monday following news that the US and Iran have agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Dow Chemical...
INSIGHT: Peace deal may increase exposure to overcapacity, price pressure as Middle East, Asia chemicals production normalises
BARCELONA (ICIS)--The peace deal to end the war in the Middle East is likely to increase global chemical markets to underlying overcapacity and push chemical prices down as chemical production...
German gas-supply cushion may tighten if Hormuz risk keeps LNG competition elevated
Pipeline imports remain stable, led by Norway Late-June LNG cargoes could lift monthly total Hormuz risk may still tighten LNG competition FRANKFURT (ICIS)--German gas supply could remain comfortable...
GAS ALERT: Germany’s Uniper to auction capacity at 7Fields for the rest of storage year 2026/27
LONDON (ICIS)--German energy firm Uniper announced on 15 June that it is offering a total of 1.36TWh (around 129 million cubic meters) of gas storage capacity at it its 7Fields facility for the...
Europe DEG spot prices soften as weak demand overpowers supply constraints
LONDON (ICIS)--Prices in the European diethylene glycol (DEG) spot market were assessed down in the week ending 12 June as very weak demand abated concerns about supply constraints. DEG truck spot...
FBMC WEEKLY: French nuclear curtailment risks and weak wind set to support spot prices
Heatwave raises risk of French nuclear production restrictions from 20 June German wind forecast to average just 6.2GW/day in week 25 (ICIS Analytics) France set to remain FBMC’s cheapest market...
Europe MEG spot prices slide as demand falters
LONDON (ICIS)--Prices in the European monoethylene glycol (MEG) spot market were assessed lower in the week ending 12 June, with sellers unable to hold onto the premiums achieved in the immediate...
Socioeconomic background still holding back students in chemistry, RSC report finds
Access is only the first step to making the chemical sciences inclusive