Industry News
Chemical Industry News
OUTLOOK ’26: Asia’s methanol supply to be sufficient, demand outlook stays bearish
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s methanol markets play a pivotal role in determining global supply and demand dynamics, and they are anchored by demand from major economies such as China and other parts of...
Singapore Q4 2025 GDP grows 5.7% on year; supports 4.8% growth in 2025
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Singapore's economy expanded by 5.7% year on year in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared with 4.3% in Q3 2025, official preliminary data showed on 2 January. On a...
OUTLOOK ’26: Asia chemical freight feeling the squeeze from slowing trades
SINGAPORE (ICIS)–-Poor trade and plant margins in 2025 have dented chemical freight demand in Asia, offsetting any upside from weather-induced disruptions in the northern hemisphere into 2026....
INSIGHT: India’s EPR mandates support potential for rise in recycled polyesters
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The Indian government in April 2025 implemented a mandate for a minimum 30% recycled content in rigid packaging, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and containers....
OUTLOOK ‘26: China MTBE expansion continues amid global trade flow shifts
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China's methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) market is still in a capacity expansion cycle in 2026, but the growth rate of supply has slowed year on year. Exports have become an...
NYMEX: US gas futures drop after bearish storage report
US natural gas futures settled lower on 31 December, following the latest storage report that showed a smaller withdrawal compared with the prior year The February front-month contract settled at...
OUTLOOK ’26: US glycerine supply expected healthy on higher biodiesel output, demand woes to persist
NEW YORK (ICIS)--US 2026 glycerine supplies are expected to be sufficient to meet demand amid an expected increase in biodiesel operating rates compared to 2025 and continued demand headwinds....
OUTLOOK ’26: US soda ash producers to face continued demand challenges in 2026
FLORENCE (ICIS)--The US soda ash market is expected to see continued length in 2026, with little change in demand anticipated. 2025 proved challenging for US producers, as new economic and trade...
OUTLOOK ’26: US PVC producers to continue to wrestle with global oversupply in 2026
FLORENCE (ICIS)--The US PVC market is expected to face another challenging year in 2026, with supply once again outpacing domestic demand. Capacity expansions in late 2024 added roughly 6% to US PVC...
US January BD rollover halts year-long downtrend
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The January ICIS butadiene (BD) Contract Reference Price settled at a rollover amid a more balanced domestic market and support from export demand. The ICIS price is a direct average...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe MTBE market eyes stable demand amid EMEA capacity growth
LONDON (ICIS)--The European methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) market is expected to navigate 2026 with steady demand and evolving supply dynamics, as new capacity additions in the Middle East and...
OUTLOOK ’26: Challenging conditions to continue to weigh on US PS and EPS markets
Houston (ICIS)--Demand for both US polystyrene (PS) and expandable polystyrene (EPS) is expected to be similar to what was seen in 2025. Demand for PS and EPS expected flat compared to 2025 PS...
OUTLOOK ’26: Slight consumption growth expected in Europe PMMA
LONDON (ICIS)--The European polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) market is expected to see a slight recovery in 2026, following the lowest annual consumption figures since at least 2020. Whether...
Europe ethylene January 2026 contract reference price falls by €25/tonne
LONDON (ICIS)--The European ethylene contract reference price for January 2026 has fallen by €25/tonne from December to settle at €1,080/tonne. Two producers and two consumers separately...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe AA, acrylate ester markets to face ongoing weak demand and import pressure for 2026
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe acrylic acid (AA) and acrylate ester markets are bracing for the challenges of 2025 to continue into 2026. Demand stays weak; downstream sectors remain under pressure 2026...
Europe propylene January 2026 contract reference price settles down €30/tonne
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe propylene contract reference price for January 2026 has decreased by €30/tonne to €950/tonne. Three producers and two consumers separately and directly confirmed. One of...
OUTLOOK ’26: European refinery solvents’ demand struggles continue
LONDON (ICIS)--European refinery solvents markets for 2026 are likely to be flat with 2025, with buyers and sellers looking to find the best strategies to see them through another difficult year....
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe xylenes demand to be stable at best in short term
LONDON (ICIS)--Mixed xylenes (MX) demand in Europe is expected to be stable at best as we head into the new year. Overall petrochemicals demand likely to remain below expectations Summer driving...
OUTLOOK ’26: Supply stability, demand challenges ahead for US recycled plastics
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The outlook for recycled polymers in 2026 remains challenging, with muted growth and cautious sentiment. Demand is expected to stay flat or soften as sustainability commitments...
OUTLOOK ’26: Fragmentation, capacity loss and lawsuits threaten Europe rHDPE in 2026
LONDON (ICIS)--A spread is growing between packaging-grade recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) pellets used in cosmetics applications and those that are not, threatening the profits made from...