Industry News
Chemical Industry News
A current take on the Swern oxidation
Electrochemical update to a classic reaction trades cryogenic conditions for room temperature, to selectively convert primary and secondary alcohols into aldehydes and ketones
Spin-out support is stretched thin
University entrepreneurs need more consistent help to bridge the gap betweeen ideas and businesses
AI tool paints bigger picture of global impact of millions of research grants, papers and patents
Team behind Funding the Frontier hope it will help funders and policymakers make better decisions but others worry system might favour ‘safe’ research
Japan’s Sumitomo Chem to take subsidiary Tanaka Chem private in share exchange
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Japanese producer Sumitomo Chemical Co on Wednesday announced it is moving to acquire full ownership of its subsidiary, Tanaka Chemical Corp, through a share exchange, effectively...
Plant status: Taiwan’s TSMC to keep No 2 SM line shut in near term
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Taiwan Styrene Monomer Co (TSMC) Location: Linyuan, Taiwan Product: Styrene monomer (SM) Capacity (tonnes/year): 160,000 (No 2 line) Event...
India’s TGV SRAAC faces disruptions at chlor-alkali plant
MUMBAI (ICIS)--India’s TGV SRAAC is facing disruptions at its caustic soda facility at Kurnool in southern Andhra Pradesh state, it said in a statement. The company’s chlor alkali facility is...
Plant status: China’s Sinopec Zhongyuan shuts steam cracker
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Zhongyuan Petrochemical Location: Henan, China Product: Ethylene, propylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 220,000 for ethylene, 95,000 for propylene...
Plant status: China’s Sinopec Zhongyuan shuts PE and PP units
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Sinopec Zhongyuan PC Location: Puyang, China Product: Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) Capacity (tonnes/year): 290,000 (LLDPE); 175,000...
India’s eastern Odisha state approves Adani coal-to-chemicals plant
MUMBAI (ICIS)--India’s eastern state of Odisha recently approved projects that are expected to increase chemical production in the state. The Odisha state government approved a Rs840 billion ($9.51...
Plant status: China’s Yulong Petrochemical restarts No 2 steam cracker
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Yulong PC Location: Shandong, China Product: Ethylene, propylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 1.5 million for ethylene, 650,000 for propylene Event...
Plant status: Taiwan’s TPCC to shut phenol/acetone unit in Nov for 2-3 months
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Taiwan Prosperity Chemical Corp (TPCC) Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan Product: Phenol and acetone Capacity (tonnes/year): 360,000 (phenol) and...
Asia polyester market buoyed on stronger crude, feedstocks, despite weak buying
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Crude gains and rising feedstocks have bolstered Asia polyester prices during the week, although the discussions have been dampened by the slowing demand towards the year end. Spot...
China’s Orinko plans high temperature nylon, PEEK project in Shanghai
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s Orinko Advanced Plastics is planning to construct a high temperature nylon and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) project in Shanghai, the company announced. The yuan (CNY) 81...
Public research organisations behind 63 000 inventions across Europe in the past two decades
A new study, developed by the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology with Fraunhofer ISI, highlights the role of Europe’s public research organisations (PROs) in advancing innovation. Covering 39 member states, the report shows that
WIKA strengthens management team with Axel Schwerdtfeger
With Axel Schwerdtfeger, the WIKA Group has recruited an experienced leader and expert from the industry. He has been appointed as Executive Vice President of the Process Solutions company division, effective 1 October. As a
Recyclable Fluorine Improves Properties of Degradable Polyester Plastics
Incorporating fluorine into certain polyesters accelerates polymer chain formation, makes longer chains accessible, and enables targeted modification of the material’s properties. As a result, fluorinated polyesters become more competitive with other types of plastics, while
Malaysia’s Sarawak state to scale down proposed low carbon, hydrogen on costs
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The proposed low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia projects at Bintulu in Sarawak state, Malaysia, will be scaled down due to high investment costs, an official told ICIS on the sidelines...
China’s September phenol imports increase on arrival of Saudi cargoes
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China imported a total of 11,587 tonnes of phenol in September 2025, up by 48.4% month on month, according to the ICIS Supply & Demand Database, due to arrivals of Saudi...
Asia IPA bearish despite healthy acetone-IPA spreads as Chinese supply eases
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s isopropanol (IPA) spot market has come under pressure in the second half (H2) of October, driven by increasing supply and a healthy acetone-IPA price spread in China. Other...
Plant status: S Korea’s Hyundai Chem to resume EVA output in Dec ’25
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Hyundai Chemical Location: Daesan, South Korea Product: Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) Capacity (tonnes/year): 150,000 Event start: 13 October...