Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Going round in circles over skills
Closing skills gaps in key professional groups requires collaboration between government, industry and educators
AI company will pay authors $1.5 billion in damages after using their copyrighted works to train its models
Academics set for payouts of $3000 for each book that was illegally downloaded
China’s average MTBE plant run rate rises to 58.9% on plant restart
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The average run rate of China’s methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) plants increased to 58.9% in the week ended 17 October, up by 2.1 percentage points week on week, ICIS data...
Japan elects first woman prime minister
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Japan’s parliament has elected ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first woman prime minister, following her win in the party...
Strong location, strong future: tesa begins plant expansion in Offenburg
tesa is making a clear statement for its long-term commitment to Germany as a business location with the official start of construction for the plant expansion in Offenburg. The investment in the site not only
Ping-pong with photons: light as a tool for a new and, above all, sustainable chemistry
In terms of progress in knowledge, photocatalysis is currently at the forefront of chemistry. In this field, Dr. Jola Pospech and her team at the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis in Rostock are developing new approaches
A prototype glucose battery inspired by the body’s metabolism
Researchers reporting in ACS Energy Letters have devised a battery powered by vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and glucose. Inspired by how human bodies break down glucose for energy using enzymes, the team incorporated riboflavin into a
Saudi Advanced Petrochemical Q3 profit rises on PP plants’ start-ups
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Advanced Petrochemical’s third-quarter net profit rose by 56.5% year on year to Saudi riyal (SR) 72 million ($19.2 million) on lower propane prices and increase in net revenue,...
INSIGHT: China’s Q3 GDP growth weighed by domestic headwinds, trade tensions
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China's economic growth decelerated for a second consecutive quarter, but by less than expected, as strong external demand provided a vital buffer to an economy struggling with weak...
ICIS Analyst View: Five Charts to Watch in 25/26 Winter – Japan and South Korea Markets
The transition from a record-breaking summer to the autumn shoulder season is reshaping energy dynamics across Northeast Asia. September finally brought relief from Japan’s prolonged heatwave,...
Sartorius sharpens guidance after significantly profitable sales revenue growth in the first nine months
The life science group Sartorius continued its profitable growth course and considerably increased both sales revenue and profitability in the first nine months of fiscal 2025. “We are very positive about our progress this year
APLA ’25: Demand for recycled polymers falters amid petrochemical market slump
CANCUN, Mexico (ICIS)--Participants in Latin America's polymers markets are struggling to develop outlets for recycled resins, as low-priced virgin alternatives continue to absorb demand. Although...
NYMEX: US gas futures rise with cold weather momentum
Front-month US natural gas futures rose on 20 October as cooler weather forecasts were likely to boost demand The November Henry Hub contract on NYMEX settled at $3.397/MMBtu, up nearly 12.9% from...
Plant status: US Dow restarts Freeport PE units Poly 5, Poly 7
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Dow Location: Freeport, Texas, US Product: Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) Capacity (tonnes/year): 400,000 (Poly 5); 600,000 (Poly 7)...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices slide as US, China enact tit-for-tat port fees on each other’s vessels
US-China port fees escalation likely to weigh on demand for range of industrial goods US increasing pressure on India to reduce Russian crude imports Such sanctions likely to boost demand for...
Polish November gas capacity bookings suggest strong flows
By Brendan A'Hearn High interest in Polish gas transmission capacity for November Strong flows expected amid early cold, rising demand Withdrawals likely to pick up later in the gas winter LONDON...
APLA ’25: Global and South America PET market oversupply to persist – ICIS
CANCUN, Mexico (ICIS)--The global oversupply of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is expected to persist and continue to impact the net import region of South America, an ICIS analyst said. “PET...
US to impose tariffs on heavy trucks, extends offset for light autos
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US will impose tariffs of 25% on imports of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and truck parts and 10% on imports of buses - all while extending a tariff offsetting program, the...
Plant status: Westlake has leak at US BPA unit
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Westlake Epoxy Location: Deer Park, Texas, US Product: Bisphenol A (BPA) Capacity (tonnes/year): 185,000 Event start: 19 October Event finish: 19...
APLA ’25: Higher US import tariffs on Colombia could greatly impact chemicals
CANCUN, Mexico (ICIS)--Colombian chemicals sources are increasingly concerned about the verbal spat between President Gustavo Petro and his US peer Donald Trump, who is threatening to impose hefty...