Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Europe isocyanates consumption off to a slow start in 2026
LONDON (ICIS)--Demand across isocyanate products has started 2026 on a subdued footing, with forecasts pointing to broadly stable conditions into the following month. Foam imports pressure European...
Crispr therapies will change medicine but there will be challenges along the way
The first treatments making use of Crispr gene editing may suffer some early hiccups
Sherwin-Williams expects demand softness to persist into H2
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US paint and coatings producer Sherwin-Williams expects weak demand to continue into the second half of 2026, CEO Heidi Petz said on Thursday. “We enter 2026 with a continuation of...
Brazil’s central bank holds rates at 15% but signals March start to cutting cycle
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazil's central bank held its benchmark Selic rate at 15% as widely expected but signaled it will begin cutting interest rates in March, marking a dovish shift that analysts said...
Europe January capro contract prices rise
LONDON (ICIS)--European caprolactam (capro) contract prices for January have settled at increases in various magnitudes from December. Monthly caprolactam NWE (northwest Europe) net contract FD...
Economic confidence grows in Europe in January
LONDON (ICIS)--Economic sentiment in the EU strengthened in January, with confidence improving across most sectors, according to European Commission data on Thursday. The EU’s Economic Sentiment...
Europe acrylate ester January contracts settle at rollovers amid subdued start to 2026
LONDON (ICIS)--European acrylate esters freely negotiated contracts for January have settled at rollovers. Demand has largely been weaker than expected for the month, although there have been some...
Dow launches new $2 billion cost savings, growth program
NEW YORK (ICIS)--Dow is launching an initiative targeting at least $2 billion in operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) improvement from cost savings, as...
Abigail Mortimer’s career in glassblowing
Since starting as a trainee 17 years ago, her collaborative creations have underpinned teaching and research at the University of York’s chemistry department
Chemical plant closures rate surges six-fold in Europe since 2022
A new report shows that chemical plant closures in Europe, has surged sixfold since 2022, reaching a cumulative 37 Mt of capacity – or around 9% of European production capacity – and resulting in the
X-ray view into chemical reactions
Researchers at the University of Hamburg, the University of Toulouse, and the DESY and ESRF research institutes have observed for the first time in real time how iron-sulfur nanostructures form in solutions. Using time-resolved X-ray
Three chemical companies promote cecarbonization of ethylene production in western Japan
Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical have explored measures to promote decarbonization and optimize production capacity for their two ethylene manufacturing facilities in western Japan. To achieve these goals, the three companies applied for
Innovations sought for life sciences and process industry
For the fifth time, innovative scientists and founders can apply for the ACHEMA Founder Award. We are looking for the best solutions, technologies and business models for life sciences and the process industry. Up to
Canada’s central bank holds key rate stable, cites USMCA uncertainty
TORONTO (ICIS)--Canada’s central bank is keeping its target for the overnight lending rate unchanged at 2.25%, where it has been sitting since October. The upcoming review and renegotiation of the...
Europe PA flake spot prices edge down; liquid stable
LONDON (ICIS)--European PA (phthalic anhydride) flake spot prices decreased slightly in the week ending January 23 following lower offers reported in the market and against a backdrop of highly...
Europe MA liquid spot prices stable; flakes slightly decrease
LONDON (ICIS)--European maleic anhydride (MA) liquid spot prices were assessed stable in the week ending 23 January following a lack of confirmed deals reported within the market. Conversely, flake...
European refinery solvents numbers mixed, new February prices awaited
LONDON (ICIS)--European average truck prices edged lower this week for solvent naphtha (C9) and hexane, while white spirit values were unchanged. Several market participants were waiting for...
LNG spot charter rates continue to fall in the Atlantic
Spot charter rates have dropped in the Atlantic, widening the Pacific's premium Demand for tonnage in the Pacific remains less volatile, said sources Potential for deliveries from Asia/Australia to...
Plant status: Nigeria’s Dangote PP plant under scheduled maintenance
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Dangote Industries Location: Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria Product: polypropylene (PP) Capacity (tonnes/year): 900,000 Event start: Early January Event...
Topsoe tapped to offer technology for green ammonia project in Saudi Arabia
LONDON (ICIS)--Topsoe has been selected to provide ammonia technology for ACWA Power’s Yanbu Green Hydrogen Project in Saudi Arabia. The technology will enable the produced green hydrogen from the...