Industry News
Chemical Industry News
China’s Nov MTBE exports up 27% with more to Middle East and Europe
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) imports reached 627,920 tonnes in November, up by 27% month on month, data from the ICIS Supply & Demand Database showed. The top...
Plant status: China’s Shandong Jinghai Petrochemical restarts HDPE unit
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Shandong Jinghai Petrochemical Location: Heze, Shandong, China Product: High density polyethylene (HDPE) Capacity (tonnes/year): 400,000 Event...
China’s November C3 imports down year on year on weak downstream
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China imported 142,825 tonnes of propylene (C3) in November 2025, higher month on month but down year on year as the poor performance of polypropylene (PP) sector led to weak buying...
NYMEX: US gas futures edge down on lower LNG feedgas demand
Front-month US natural gas futures lowered on 24 December as LNG feedgas levels decreased The January 2026 Henry Hub contract on NYMEX settled at $4.242/MMBtu, down 3.8% from the previous session...
OUTLOOK ’26: US BDO market to face demand, export challenges
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US butanediol (BDO) market is starting 2026 with depressed demand and no expectation for a near-term rebound, although the building of data centers and EV plants is generating...
OUTLOOK ’26: US benzene demand improves in late Q4 ’25 but skepticism for growth in aromatics demand remains
HOUSTON (ICIS)--For much of the past year, the US benzene market was depressed. Even after tariffs were introduced on most benzene from abroad, which limited year-on-year imports, benzene contract...
Argentina’s growth outlook holds at 4% despite recent setbacks; manufacturing woes rise
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Argentina's economic momentum stumbled in October with a surprise monthly contraction, but analysts maintain forecasts for +4% growth in 2026, although the petrochemicals-intensive...
Asia-US container rates mixed as 2025 ends with rates near year’s lows
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Shipping container rates from east Asia and China to the US were mixed this week, and rates to both coasts will end 2025 close to the lowest of the year. Rates to both coasts
OUTLOOK ’26: US OX, PA markets navigate reduced US production capacity
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US orthoxylene (OX) supply has been sufficient in 2025 to supply all downstream derivative demand. Prices of OX remained unseasonably high as we moved into autumn, primarily because...
OUTLOOK ’26: US NGL demand holding steady year on year
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US natural gas liquid (NGL) market enters 2026 with demand shaped by colder weather and strong LNG exports, while inventories across natural gas, ethane and liquefied petroleum...
Northeast Asia C2 consolidation plans progress amid doubts over timeline
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--With ethylene markets likely seeing a challenging year ahead for Asia (be it northeast Asia or southeast Asia), updates on the consolidation plans from northeast Asia probably...
OUTLOOK ’26: Phosphates to feel the effect of China’s absence, farmer affordability concerns
LONDON (ICIS)--The phosphates fertilizer sector is bracing for a year filled with challenges as it begins 2026 grappling with product availability concerns, high input costs, and worries over...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe polyols demand outlook signals tough road ahead for recovery
LONDON (ICIS)--Polyols demand in Europe was moving with slow momentum with no significant recovery anticipated for 2026. European polyols plant closure Elevated interest rates continue to have impact...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe toluene to struggle with limited demand
LONDON (ICIS)--Demand for European toluene is not expected to change substantially as 2026 begins. Overall petrochemical demand likely to remain below traditional expectations Majority of spot demand...
OUTLOOK ’26: US nylon demand weak amid manufacturing contraction
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Looking ahead to 2026, demand declines in US nylon markets which started in Q3 2022 are set to continue well into H2 2026. Demand was weak in multiple application sectors - including...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe acetic acid and VAM to stay defined by weak consumption
LONDON (ICIS)--The European acetic acid and derivative vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) markets were driven by weak underlying demand throughout 2025, with these conditions expected to persist through...
Europe methanol Q1 contract price settles at €510/tonne, 4% increase
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe methanol contract price for the first quarter has settled at €510/tonne, an €18/tonne increase from the fourth quarter. The European contract price (ECP) was agreed on...
OUTLOOK ’26: European melamine suppliers still facing import pressure; reserved demand expectations
LONDON (ICIS)--The European melamine market remains challenged by weak demand conditions and high local production costs driven by ongoing elevated gas costs. Market sources are hoping for a demand...
Plant status: China’s Shandong Jianlan Chemical restarts 2-EH lines
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Shandong Jianlan Chemical Location: Shandong, China Product: 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) Capacity (tonnes/year): 140,000 & 70,000 Event start: 31...
OUTLOOK ’26: Europe MEC market set for flat demand as supply holds steady
LONDON (ICIS)--The European methylene chloride (MEC) market is expected to see little change in 2026, with demand recovery remaining elusive. Supply is anticipated to remain sufficient despite recent...