Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Formic acid molecule trembles into the third dimension
Formic acid is considered a molecule in which all atoms lie in a single plane. A research team at Goethe University, together with cooperation partners, has now demonstrated experimentally that the atoms in formic acid
Invisible battery parts finally seen with pioneering technique
Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a powerful new method to visualise an essential lithium-ion battery electrode component that had been extremely difficult to trace before. The discovery, published in Nature Communications, could
Researchers use fungus to create plastic-free food packaging
Walk into any grocery store and you will find aisle after aisle of food wrapped in a host of different plastics. Concern about chemicals and plastic in food packaging have been growing in recent years.
DyStar Group Announces Board Transition to Drive Innovation
DyStar announced the appointment of Ruan Cunfan to its Board of Directors, effective 20 February 2026. Ruan Cunfan graduated from Claremont McKenna College in the United States, holding dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics & Accounting
US Stepan expects raw material pressure on margins to ease in H2
HOUSTON (ICIS)--High raw material costs, particularly for oleochemicals, continue to pressure margins, but US-based surfactants producer Stepan expects impact on its earnings to ease in the second...
Colombia’s Pacific coast Buenaventura LNG import project advances
Regasificadora del Pacfico reaches financial close on the Buenaventura LNG import project Exmar to lease and operate FSU under 5-year contract Project marks milestone for Colombia's energy goals...
GAS ALERT: European Parliament halts work on US trade deal after tariff ruling
ICIS has alerted on this earlier on 23 February. LONDON (ICIS)--The European Parliament has halted the ratification of the US trade deal, according to a statement, following a Supreme Court ruling...
INSIGHT: China, Brazil early winners in new US tariff regime, Middle East losers as nations seek clarity on deals
NEW YORK (ICIS)--With US President Trump invoking Section 122 tariffs of 15% for all countries on 21 February - up from 10% just a day earlier - China and Brazil stand to benefit the most
LyondellBasell cuts 2030 circular plastics target to 800,000 tonnes/year
LONDON (ICIS)--LyondellBasell has reduced its 2030 recycled and renewable-based polymers target to 800,000 tonnes/year, the company announced in a press release. Its previous target was 2 million...
Plant status: Nobian to carry out spring maintenance at Bitterfeld and Rotterdam chlor-alkali plants
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Nobian Location: Bitterfeld, Germany and Rotterdam, the Netherlands Product: caustic soda, chlorine Capacity (tonnes/year): Rotterdam: caustic soda...
Europe ACN spot prices assessed unchanged on lack of deals
LONDON (ICIS)--Prices in the European acrylonitrile (ACN) spot market were assessed unchanged in the week ending 20 February in the absence of confirmed spot deals. Prices remain at...
Moroccan ammonia imports down 6% year on year in 2025
LONDON (ICIS)--Morocco imported 6% less ammonia in 2025 year on year compared with the same period the previous year, according to customs data. Trinidad and Tobago was the top exporter of ammonia to...
National Gas calls for optimisation of remaining UKCS production in response to government security of supply consultation
Additional reporting by Ethan Tillcock Britains gas grid operator set out several policy options in response to the governments security of supply consultation Reduced UKCS production and low...
FBMC WEEKLY: Spring-like temperatures and sunshine to keep French spot prices low in week 9
LONDON (ICIS)--Mild temperatures anticipating the onset of spring are likely to pressure spot prices across much of the flow-based market coupling (FBMC) region in week 9 by limiting late-winter...
Europe MEG spot prices stable to decreasing in subdued market
LONDON (ICIS)--Prices in the European monoethylene glycol (MEG) truck market were assessed down, while bulk prices were assessed stable in the week ending 20 February on lengthy supply and subdued...
Gas transport Route 1 fully booked for March ’26 as US LNG to Ukraine expected
Route 1 capacity fully allocated for March ‘26 in anticipation of Greek consortium deal for the sale of US LNG to Ukraine No bookings made on Routes 2/3 Greek energy minister Stavros Papastavrou...
India ammonia imports up 7% year on year in 2025
LONDON (ICIS)--India imported 7% more ammonia in 2025 compared with 2024, according to customs data. The top exporter to the south Asian nation was Oman, followed by Saudi Arabia. India ammonia top...
Brazil stands to gain most from new US tariff regime but trade probe clouds outlook
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazil is set to emerge as the primary winner from the restructured US tariff framework put in place after the US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's sweeping import...
Grupa Azoty Polyolefins proposes debt plan to creditors in advance of Orlen takeover deal
LONDON (ICIS)--Grupa Azoty Polyolefins (GA Polyolefins) has proposed a debt restructuring plan to its creditors via Poland’s National Debt Register, parent group Grupa Azoty said on Saturday. Azoty...
US urea imports up just 2.6% in 2025 amid tariff pressures
LONDON (ICIS)--US urea imports rose only marginally, by 2.6% year on year to 5.2 million tonnes in 2025, versus 5.1 million tonnes in 2024, despite a 5% increase in corn acreage. The limited growth...