Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Consumers question safety of parabens and PFAS in personal care products amid health concerns
Growing research into cosmetic ingredients has been raising safety concerns among consumers. Bárbara Pinho explores the future of safer chemistry amid the ‘clean beauty’ trend
Chemists develop molecule for important step towards artificial photosynthesis
A research team at the University of Basel has developed a new molecule that is modeled on photosynthesis in plants: Under the influence of light, it simultaneously stores two positive and two negative charges. The
Wired by nature: precision molecules for tomorrow’s electronics
Empa researchers have succeeded for the first time in binding organic porphyrin molecules with functional metal centers to a graphene nanoribbon with atomic precision. The resulting hybrid system is magnetically and electronically coupled, paving the
A look into the heart of the battery
High-performance batteries are the key to e-mobility and the energy transition. In future, they should contain fewer scarce and harmful raw materials, be produced in a more environmentally friendly way and be easier to recycle.
India’s sweeping tax reforms to boost chemical demand pre-Diwali
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--India’s proposed sweeping tax reforms on large home appliances, televisions and automotives are set to not only boost downstream demand before the Diwali festive holiday in...
ICIS Analyst View: Taiwan Rejects Nuclear Restart and Deepens Reliance on LNG
Summary Although a clear majority in Taiwan supported restarting the 1.9 GW Maanshan nuclear plant in the August 23 referendum, the vote failed to meet the legal threshold and was therefore invalid....
Plant status: China’s Dushan Energy shuts PTA for maintenance
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Zhejiang Dushan Energy Location: Jiaxing, China Product: Purified terephthalic acid (PTA) Capacity (tonnes/year): 2.5 million Event start: 26...
US corn crop now 7% mature with soybeans dropping leaves at 4%
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Harvest is drawing closer as the US corn crop is now 7% mature with 4% of the soybean crop dropping leaves, according to the latest crop progress report from the US Department of...
Olefins unit at LyondellBasell US La Porte facility has upset
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: LyondellBasell Location: La Porte, Texas, US Product: Ethylene, propylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 1.2 million tonnes/year ethylene; 286,000...
US September BD contracts down on loosened supply-and-demand dynamics
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The September ICIS butadiene (BD) Contract Reference Price settled 0.75 cents/lb lower as supply remains long both regionally and globally. The ICIS price is a direct average of the...
Explosion at US Louisiana blender may temporarily reduce base oil demand
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US base oils market is likely to see reduced demand in the short term following an explosion Friday at lubricant blender Smitty’s Supply in Roseland, Louisiana. The company’s...
NYMEX: US natural gas futures dip on mild weather
US natural gas futures fell slightly to start the week, with the September front-month falling less than 1% from the pre-weekend close on mild weather demand expectations for this week The September...
Some lubricating oil codes fall under US steel tariffs
Base oils are used to produce finished lubricants and greases for automobiles and other machinery. Major US producers include Motiva, Chevron, Excel Paralubes and ExxonMobil. Focus article by Amanda...
US September BD nominations lower on slack demand
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US September butadiene (BD) contract nominations emerged flat to lower as supply continues to lengthen on slack demand. US BD contracts (in cents/lb, separately issued) August...
US July new home sales slip after June rebound
HOUSTON--US new home sales in July fell by 0.6% month on month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 652,000, the US Census Bureau said on Monday. Year on year, July new home sales were
Asia base oils demand outlook: Week of 25 August
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s base oils demand likely to stay cautious even with round of stock replenishment in coming weeks. Asia’s lube demand likely to rise over coming months after bottoming out...
Asia base oils supply outlook: Week of 25 August
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s base oils price premium to Singapore gasoil holds firm at levels that incentivize refiners to maintain or raise output. Firm margins point to still-tight supply-demand...
Americas/EMEA base oils supply outlook: Week of 25 August
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--US base oils prices stay in relatively narrow range versus feedstock prices since late last year. Source: ICIS Range-bound price-differentials contrast with more volatile margins in...
Americas/EMEA base oils demand outlook: Week of 25 August
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--US base oils demand likely to stay cautious in face of healthy availability of supply and lower crude/diesel prices. Weaker fundamentals and lower feedstock prices increase exposure...
Global base oils cargo flows: Week of 25 August
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Several cargoes of Group II base oils load from Taiwan in recent days, following sharp slowdown in loadings for several weeks. Cargoes head to China and Hong Kong. Large cargo loads...