Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Europe acetic acid August talks continue, demand seasonally low
LONDON (ICIS)--August contract price talks are ongoing on the European acetic acid market. Supply is lengthy despite long lead times and specific logistics requirements discouraging imports from...
Moldovagaz temporarily tasked to build winter stocks and supply gas to Transnistria
Moldovagaz tasked to build winter stocks for Transnistria Gazprom-majority owned company loses supply licence in Moldova Private companies renew interest in selling as to Transnistria BUCHAREST...
INSIGHT: UK bioethanol plants face closure after government denies bailout post-US trade deal
LONDON (ICIS)--The UK government's refusal to offer any industry rescue package has effectively delivered the final nail in the coffin for its largest domestic producer, Vivergo Fuels, with its plant...
German caustic soda contract margins rise as energy costs fall, ECU higher
LONDON (ICIS)--German spot chlor-alkali contract margins rose in the week ending 15 August, on the back of lower energy costs and higher electrochemical unit (ECU) values. Chlorine values were...
A reality check on Chemist v2.0
Is the new version full of bugs or worth using?
How stable isotope analysis reveals what ancient humans and Neanderthals ate
Analytical chemistry can tell us what our ancestors ate thousands – or even millions – of years ago. Rachel Brazil gets her teeth into the evidence
Bodo Möller Chemie appoints Jason Blyth as Managing Director for South Africa and Kenya
With effect from July 1, 2025, Jason Blyth has taken over the position of Managing Director of Bodo Möller Chemie in South Africa and Kenya. In this role, the experienced chemical distribution specialist will be
LANXESS takes action to counter weak market environment
A weak global market environment impacted LANXESS’ results in the second quarter of 2025. The specialty chemicals company achieved an EBITDA pre exceptionals of EUR 150 million, which is a 17.1 percent decline compared with
Recycling process developed for dry-processed cathodes
Innovative production processes such as the dry processing of electrodes are a decisive step towards making the production of battery cells more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. This process completely eliminates the need for expensive, sometimes
Asian MA markets steady amid weak demand and limited trade
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Maleic anhydride (MA) markets in Asia were mostly stable for the week ending 15 August, amid subdued demand and limited spot activity. In southeast Asia, prices held steady as...
SHIPPING: Asia-US container rates continue to slide on ample capacity, soft demand
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Rates for shipping containers from east Asia and China to the US continued to slide this week on ample capacity as deployment remains healthy, and on soft demand as the typical peak...
NYMEX: US gas futures edge higher on weekend weather uncertainty
Front-month US natural gas futures gained a few cents on 15 August as some traders sold contracts to take profits at the end of the week, while others watched the weekend forecast for signs of
ACD to fight ‘like crazy’ against Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern mega rail merger – CEO
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (ICIS)--The Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) will fight “like crazy” against the proposed mega merger between US rail giants Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern in...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices fall as market waits on US-Russia talks
Sentiment erring towards belief that US and Russia will make some type of deal Disappointing economic data out of China, raising concerns over fuel demand Expected surplus of supply continues to...
Plant status: Mexico Pemex restarts LDPE plant
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Pemex Location: La Cangrejera, Mexico Product: Low density polyethylene (LDPE) Capacity (tonnes/year): 105,000 Event start: 14 July Event...
US consumer sentiment weakens amid fears about inflation, jobs
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US consumer sentiment fell back about 5% in August, from July, marking its first decline in four months, according to preliminary findings of the Michigan consumer sentiment survey by...
PET imports into Europe struggle to make a mark in slow market
LONDON (ICIS)--With European polyethylene terephthalate (PET) prices under pressure, even low-ball import offers failed to entice much momentum from buyers. “There is a lot of hunger to sell. A lot...
Canada June manufacturing sales inch up after four declines; chemicals fall 3.9%
TORONTO (ICIS)--Canadian manufacturing sales rose 0.3% month on month to Canadian dollar (C$) $68.5 billion (US$49.6 billion) in June, following four consecutive monthly declines, according to...
Europe BPA spot market stagnant but notionally stable, amid summer lull
LONDON (ICIS)--The European bisphenol A (BPA) spot market is experiencing a dormant period, but prices remain notionally stable, as slow demand, especially over the summer, are weighed against modest...
US July retail sales rise 0.5% month on month; manufacturing output flat
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US retail sales rose month on month in July, while manufacturing output remained flat, according to statistical data released on Friday. Meanwhile, August data indicates an...