Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Solvent MX outpaces isomer MX amid strained supply, overall outlook bleak
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--South Korea solvent-grade mixed xylenes (MX) export prices rose significantly above prices for isomer-grade MX on 2 April, going against the typical price structure seen throughout...
S Korea isomer MX prices rebound amid upstream volatility
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Isomer grade mixed xylenes (MX) spot prices from South Korea were assessed as firmer on 2 April, tracking rebounds in an upstream market fraught with unpredictability. Market...
India suspends LAB import certification for three months
MUMBAI (ICIS)--The Indian government has suspended its quality control order (QCO) for imports of linear alkyl benzene (LAB) for three months to ensure uninterrupted availability of the chemical. The...
ICIS GRAPHIC: How Asian countries responded to energy shortage in March
Singapore (ICIS)--One month into the Middle East conflict, ICIS has reported extensively on how Asian markets responded to trade disruption and domestic fuel shortage. Here is a map wrap of how key...
UAE’s Borouge halts Ruwais complex operations – state media
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Borouge has halted operations at its Ruwais petrochemical complex in the UAE after falling debris from an attack ignited multiple fires at the site, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said...
US March butac contract, distributor and spot export prices rise due to tightening supply, significant rise in energy costs
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US butyl acetate (butac) prices have risen sharply in March following a significant rise in energy costs and ongoing supply issues. Contract prices for March butac rose between 10-12...
Asia-US container rates rise slightly, chem tanker rates higher on Middle East conflict
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Rates for shipping containers from east Asia and China to the US edged higher this week, while rates for liquid chemical tankers out of the US Gulf rose further amid the ongoing war...
NYMEX: Higher US LNG exports balance rising gas supply
US natural gas futures made no settlement on 3 April as markets were closed in observance of the Good Friday holiday The May Henry Hub contract on NYMEX last settled at $2.800/MMBtu on 2 April,
Intrepid Potash sells majority of New Mexico oilfield solutions operations for $70 million
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US fertilizer producer Intrepid Potash announced that it has agreed to sell most of the assets of the Intrepid South Ranch in New Mexico to Hydrosource Logistics for $70 million. The...
US March auto sales rise for second month, but continue to lag year-ago levels
HOUSTON (ICIS)--March sales of new light vehicles rose by 3.7% from February but are down significantly from the same month a year ago as elevated prices continue to weigh on the industry, one of the...
AFPM ’26: INSIGHT: Middle East crisis to trigger tectonic shift in global petrochemicals
NEW YORK (ICIS)--The Iran war and crisis in the Middle East will spur tectonic shifts in the global petrochemical industry as security of supply becomes paramount, and competitiveness dynamics are...
Europe methanol spot prices hit 2007 high, supply limitations drive continued uptrend
LONDON (ICIS)--Europe methanol spot prices climbed by 5% from the week prior, hitting their highest point since 2007. Spot prices were assessed at €458-482/tonne FOB (free on board) Rdam...
European acetone truck climb ongoing as feedstock propylene rockets
LONDON (ICIS)--European acetone spot truck prices rose again this week as supply remained tight and the prospect of a jump in propylene feedstock costs pushed some targets higher but also led buyers...
AFPM ’26: Indorama acquisition of India’s EPL offers high-value growth and packaging diversification – exec
SAN ANTONIO (ICIS)--Thailand-based Indorama Ventures Limited (IVL) planned acquisition of a majority stake in India-based packaging company EPL will give it a foothold in a fast growing market and...
Europe chemical tanker spot freight mixed as tonnage constraints and fuel costs dominate
LONDON (ICIS)--European chemical tanker spot freight markets delivered a mixed performance in the week ending 3 April, as some routes began to stabilize, some softened slightly while others continued...
Plant status: NexKemia Canada EPS facility turnaround set for mid-April
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: NexKemia Location: Mansonville, Quebec, Canada Product: Expandable polystyrene (EPS) Capacity (tonnes/year): 60,000 Event start: 14 April 2026...
Rising diesel fuel costs leading to freight surcharges in US chemical markets
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US chemical markets are adjusting rapidly to the surge in diesel fuel prices, with one producer announcing a fuel surcharge for road and rail shipments. Westlake North American...
Canada light vehicle sales fall 8.2% in March
TORONTO (ICIS)--Sales of light vehicles (autos and light trucks) in Canada fell 8.2% year on year to 170,000 units in March, according to an estimate by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants (DAC). March...
US economy adds 178,000 jobs in March, more than expected
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US nonfarm payroll employment rose by 178,000 month on month in March, following a 133,000 decline in February (revised from an initially reported 92,000 decline), the Bureau of Labor...
Brazil should suspend antidumping duties on US, Canada PE as war squeezes resins supply – Abiplast
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazil’s recently approved antidumping duties (ADDs) on polyethylene (PE) imports from the US and Canada are set to make a worsening supply crunch even more acute at a moment of...