Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Sustainable raw material supply: New FlashPhos process converts sewage sludge into phosphorus for industrial use
Disposing of wastewater treatment plant waste while simultaneously recovering white phosphorus: The new thermochemical FlashPhos process demonstrates how this works. It is currently the only technology in Europe capable of producing this essential raw material
Wells Fargo upgrades Olin to ‘overweight’ on chlor-alkali margin expansion
NEW YORK (ICIS)--Wells Fargo has upgraded its rating on US-based Olin from “equal weight” to “overweight” on higher expected margins in chlor-alkali due to the Middle East crisis. “We...
NYMEX: US gas futures gain on strong US LNG feedgas demand
Front-month US natural gas futures increased on 6 April as US LNG feedgas demand rose The May 2026 Henry Hub contract on NYMEX settled at $2.811/MMBtu, up less than 1% from the previous session Per...
Iran’s energy infrastructure targeted, several methanol plants shut
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Airstrikes on 6 April targeting Iran’s key energy infrastructure at the Asaluyeh complex significantly escalated concerns over the country’s petrochemical production and export...
Argentina received two submissions for private LNG import tender
Argentina confirms two companies submitted offers for its LNG import tender on 6 April Identity of companies not initially known Second round of tender selection process scheduled for 13 April, with...
US March services economy expands for 21st straight month
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US services economic activity expanded for the 21st consecutive month in March, although at a slower pace from February, according to the services purchasing managers’ (PMI) survey...
Brazil’s Braskem weighs creditor protection options; no decision yet as July deadline nears
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Braskem is considering creditor protection measures as part of a broader capital restructuring process but has not yet decided any specific measure, according to the Brazilian...
Brazil’s chemicals production extends falls in February amid wider industry’s green shoots
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazil’s chemicals production fell in February by more than 6%, year on year, well above the wider industry, where output fell by less than 1%, the country’s statistical office...
ICIS GRAPHIC: How the Iran conflict is impacting global caustic soda markets
NEW YORK--The war in the Middle East following the bombing of Iran by the US and Israel and the subsequent retaliatory responses by Iran on 28 February has brought significant volatility to energy...
Plant status: UAE’s Borouge shuts PP, PE production after missile attacks at Ruwais
DUBAI (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Borouge Location: Ruwais, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Products: Polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE – high-density polyethylene (HDPE),...
Supply tightens for Asia nylon amid regional rationalization, upstream pressure
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Tightening supply in the Asia-Pacific region, compounded by firm cost pressure stemming from the Middle East conflict, is set to put further pressure on Asia nylon pricing, in spite...
S Korea isomer MX spot export prices rise further on intensifying Middle East conflict
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--South Korea’s isomer-grade mixed xylenes (MX) registered gains on 6 April, reflecting higher upstream values against a backdrop of intensifying conflict in the Middle East....
Japan’s naphtha, chemical intermediate stocks sufficient beyond June – PM
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Japan has doubled its non-Middle East naphtha imports and maintained refineries running in order to meet consumer demand beyond June, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said. Japan...
Update to ICIS Topics: US-Iran conflict – impact on chemicals, energy
Visit the ICIS US-Iran conflict: impact on chemical and energy markets topic page for the latest updates and analysis. UAE's Borouge shuts Ruwais complex operations More Mideast energy/petchem...
Supply insecurity continues to push Asia PET prices above rPET
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Supply disruption in southeast Asian polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from the Middle East conflict has driven spot prices above those for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET)...
Overnight upstream gains push Asian PX prices higher
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asian paraxylene (PX) prices were higher, tracking further gains seen in upstream crude markets. On 6 April, a deal for PX for June shipment was done at $1,272/tonne CFR (cost &...
India’s DCM Shriram commissions Phase 2 of 52,000 tonne/year ECH plant
MUMBAI (ICIS)--India’s DCM Shriram commissioned the second phase of its 52,000 tonne/year epichlorohydrin (ECH) plant at its Jhagadia complex, in the Bharuch district of the western Gujarat state...
Asia PA prices up on costs; uncertainty caps long-term outlook
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s phthalic anhydride (PA) market firmed during the week ended 2 April, supported by firmer feedstock costs and constrained supply, although sentiment remained cautious amid...
Plant status: UAE’s Borouge shuts crackers amid missile attacks at Ruwais
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Borouge Location: Ruwais, UAE Product: Ethylene, propylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 3.6 million (ethylene), 120,000 (propylene) across three...
Attacks on Mideast energy, petrochemical facilities intensify
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Attacks on energy and petrochemicals infrastructure in the Middle East amid the US-Israel and Iran war have intensified, forcing several major regional producers to halt operations,...