Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Tunable metafibers for power-controlled remote light focusing
Precise control of light focus is essential for applications ranging from microscopy and laser surgery to quantum optics and telecommunications. However, existing solutions often rely on large, complex external components that limit integration and speed.
PetroChina to expand gas storage in pivot on energy strategy
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--State-owned major PetroChina announced it will buy all equity in the Xinjiang, Xiangguosi, and Liaohe gas storage facilities for a total price of (CNY) 40.016 billion yuan ($5.59...
NYMEX: US gas futures close higher on front-month rollover
Front-month US natural gas futures rallied on 27 August through the expiry of the September contract as LNG feedgas nominations ticked higher The September Henry Hub contract on NYMEX rolled off the...
US August MMA contracts decrease amid bearish supply/demand
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US August methyl methacrylate (MMA) contracts were assessed at a decrease amid persistently bearish supply-and-demand fundamentals. Supply is long while demand remains in the doldrums...
US August butac contract, distributor prices decline slightly with soft demand, declining feedstock costs
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US butyl acetate (butac) contract and distributor prices declined slightly from July to August 2025, while export prices were unchanged. On the low end of the price range, butac...
UPDATE: RAIL: New service from US railroads BNSF, CSX could be a better option than merger – ACD
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US railroads BNSF and CSX are offering several new intermodal services designed to offer seamless, efficient connections from coast to coast, an alliance that is supported by the head...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices edge higher after US inventories fall, new India tariffs take effect
EIA data shows US crude stocks fell by 2.4 million barrels last week Gasoline and distillates also down, adding near-term support Trump’s higher tariffs on India kick in, clouding trade outlook...
RAIL: New intermodal service from US railroads BNSF, CSX offers coast-to-coast options
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US railroads BNSF and CSX are offering several new intermodal services designed to offer seamless, efficient connections from coast to coast. Source: BNSF One new service will connect...
N America weekly chem rail traffic jumps 13%; two railroads say ‘no’ to merger
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Following a 0.2% increase the week before, North American chemical rail traffic rose 13.0% year on year to 47,012 railcar loadings for the week ended 23 August, according to freight...
CSS/CDS MONTHLY: Bearish gas, bullish carbon favoring switch to gas in Q4 ‘25
By Johnathan Hamilton-Eve and Giovanni Musella LONDON (ICIS)-- German front-quarter fuel switch costs have been falling over the last month, dipping into negative territory on several days during...
Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu/Jeddah base oils exports fall to one-year low in July
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Base oils shipments from the Saudi Arabian ports of Yanbu and Jeddah fell to a one-year low in July, compounding a slowdown in flows to India from other key sources. Total shipments...
Argentina’s July base oils supply falls
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Argentina’s base oils supply fell to a five-year low in July as a dip in domestic output compounded persistently-low imports. The lower supply lagged domestic demand, prompting a...
Indonesia palm oil stocks to remain tight in 2025 as exports outpace production
NEW YORK (ICIS)--Indonesia palm oil ending stocks are likely to remain historically tight in 2025 as exports continue to outpace production and domestic consumption against the backdrop of a discount...
Europe methylene chloride spot prices hold steady in sparse trade
LONDON (ICIS) – European methylene chloride (MED) spot prices were assessed stable from July to August across northwest Europe (NWE) and the Mediterranean (MED) region. This is largely attributed...
Plant status: Sasol plans maintenance at German ethanolamines unit
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: SASOL Location: SASOL MARL, Germany, PLANT NO 1 Product: Ethanolamines Capacity (tonnes/year): 45,000 Event start: 1 October Event finish: 31...
Azoty’s Prozap signs deal with Nitro-Chem in Polish explosives co-operation
LONDON (ICIS)--Grupa Azoty’s Prozap unit has signed an agreement with fellow Polish company Nitro-Chem to expand the latter’s high-energy materials production facility in a partnership to...
French gas exports to Spain, Belgium could rise as maintenance curtails flows to Italy
Planned maintenance works on Switzerland-Italy Transitgas pipeline to limit French exports to Italy Northern European exports to Italy capped around 6mcm/day until 12 September, an 81% drop compared...
Plastic Energy/SABIC Geleen JV outputs first batch of pyrolysis oil
LONDON (ICIS)—Plastic Energy has produced its first batch of TACOIL from its joint venture pyrolysis-based chemical recycling plant with SABIC in Geleen, The Netherland. TACOIL is Plastic...
Rising network and policy costs push UK Q4 energy price cap higher, despite falling wholesale prices
UK energy price cap for October-December set at £1,755 for an average household This has risen £35 from the Q3 cap, and £38 higher year on year Gas and power forward prices for Q1 ‘26