Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Iupac defends contested project to redefine PFAS
The organisation wants to standardise terminology for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, but some experts fear new definitions could harm environmental protections
New UK science minister appointed following cabinet reshuffle
Liz Kendall becomes third permanent science secretary in two and a half years
Deadly fentanyl contamination exposes drug safety challenges
Bacterial conatmination in medical fentanyl has killed at least 51 people in Argentina, highlighting pressures on generic drugmakers
This deep-sea worm turns two toxins into a harmless mineral
Unusual biomineralisation strategy used for detoxification rather than reinforcing tissues
Can electro-fermentation convert food waste such as ice cream into valuable chemicals?
Adding an electrical jolt to fermentation of industrial food waste speeds up the process and increases the yield of platform chemicals that are valuable components in a wide range of products, new research shows. In
New Batteries make 12minute charge for 800km drive a reality
Korean researchers have ushered in a new era for electric vehicle (EV) battery technology by solving the long-standing dendrite problem in lithium-metal batteries. While conventional lithium-ion batteries are limited to a maximum range of 600
Discovery unlocks potential of “miracle material” for future electronics
Graphene is an extraordinary material – a sheet of interlocking carbon atoms just one atom thick that is stable and extremely conductive. This makes it useful in a range of areas, such as flexible electronic
Global petrochemical capacity closures unlikely to improve margins – analyst
NEW YORK (ICIS)--Planned plant shutdowns in Europe, South Korea, Japan and China are unlikely to significantly improve petrochemical margins before 2028-2029, said a Wall Street analyst. “We expect...
Bahrain eyes LNG top-ups, pushes nuclear and solar
LNG imports are set to ramp up in 2026 $12/MMBtu LNG too pricey for Bahrain’s economy - executive Diversification through SMRs, cross-border solar, grid interconnectivity SINGAPORE (ICIS)--A...
Plant status: S Korea’s Lotte INEOS eyes shut-in for acetic acid unit
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Lotte INEOS Chemical (LIC) Location: Ulsan, South Korea Product: Acetic acid Capacity (tonnes/year): 710,000 Event start: Mid October...
Rigaku Joins Two Partners in Establishing RIGAKU/JEOL-iCeMS Innovation Core
Rigaku Corporation, Kyoto University and JEOL Ltd. concluded an agreement to establish an organization for open innovation. The purpose of this initiative is to leverage each other’s strengths, conduct joint research and development and cultivate
US corn harvest now 4% completed with soybeans setting pods at 97%
HOUSTON (ICIS)--There is 4% of the US corn crop harvested with soybean acreage at a 97% rate of setting pods according to the latest crop progress report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)....
NYMEX: Henry Hub futures edge higher as Plaquemines feedgas tops record
US natural gas futures settled higher on 8 September, as above-normal September temperatures and strong power burn supported gains alongside robust LNG feedgas demand The October 2025 Henry Hub...
MOVES: US CF Industries announces Will to retire as president and CEO in January
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US fertilizer producer CF Industries (CF) announced Anthony Will has announced his intention to retire as president and chief executive officer effective 4 January 2026. Further the...
Mexico’s Braskem Idesa hires law firms to review capital structure, liquidity
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Mexico’s Braskem Idesa has hired three law firms to assist it in evaluating “a wide range of economic and financial options” regarding its capital structure and liquidity...
Americas/EMEA base oils supply outlook: Week of 8 September
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--base oils supply outlook: Week of 8 September US base oils export-price premium to VGO falls close to lowest level this year. Source: ICIS Price-premiums fall to bottom of...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude benchmarks up as OPEC+ supply increase was less than expected
Announcement that OPEC+ members will lift output by 137,000 barrels/day from October Trump affirms he is ready to move to ‘second phase’ of sanctions against Russia Disappointing Chinese trade...
Americas/EMEA base oils demand outlook: Week of 8 September
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Base oils demand outlook: Week of 8 September US base oils demand could ease in face of downward price-pressure and healthy availability of supply. Buyers that built stocks as...
INSIGHT: Chems may get limited relief from tariffs if used for pharmaceuticals
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Imports of chemicals could qualify for limited relief from the national tariffs the US has imposed on much of the world, but the conditions are so strict, significant trade barriers...
Global base oils margins outlook: Week of 8 September
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Global base oils margins outlook: Week of 8 September Global base oils prices mostly fall versus feedstock/competing fuel prices. Price-differentials fall more steeply in Europe and...