Industry News
Chemical Industry News
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...
Azoty withdraws from contract with Hyundai for turnkey delivery of worldscale PDH-PP plant
LONDON (ICIS)--Poland’s Grupa Azoty said late on Thursday that it has withdrawn from the contract for the turnkey delivery of its $1.8-billion worldscale propane dehydrogenation (PDH) and...
Europe acetone spot FD average price softer while export markets awaken on tariff clarity
LONDON (ICIS)--European acetone free delivered (FD) spot prices are stable to soft this week in an ongoing buyers' market. The higher numbers previously quoted are no longer widely seen this week,...
EU-origin PVC CFR Turkey and FOB Europe prices continue to slide
LONDON (ICIS)--EU origin polyvinyl chloride (PVC) import prices in Turkey continue to trend lower, in a depressed market and in the face of import competition. Prices have trended down since 25 July....
WEEKLY POWER OUTLOOK: Low UK, German wind output likely to support spot prices in week 34
LONDON (ICIS)--Well-below-average wind generation is likely to support UK and German power spot prices through the front week, despite forecasts of cooler temperatures. LOW WIND OUTPUT Weather...
Europe PC demand ‘nearly dead’ in summer lull
LONDON (ICIS)--Demand for polycarbonate (PC) in Europe is significantly lower than normal for August, with the market close to paralysis as minimal buying interest coincides with the typically slow...
VIDEO: Europe PET bales drop in Poland, R-PET flake softens in southern Europe
LONDON (ICIS)--Senior Editor for Recycling, Matt Tudball, discusses the latest developments in the European recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET) market, including: Colourless, blue bales drop...
South Korea’s July base oils exports stay low
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--South Korea’s base oils exports edged lower in July – even after the completion of a protracted round of plant maintenance work in the country. Total base oils exports of...
Plant status: Lotte restarts Louisiana EG unit; FM still in place
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Lotte Chemical Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana, US Product: Ethylene glycol (EG) Capacity (tonnes/year): 800,000 Event start: 21 July Event...
India’s July Group I heavy-neutrals base oils imports rise
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--India’s imports of Group I heavy-neutrals base oils rebounded to a four-month high in July amid a pick-up in shipments from regular, as well as infrequent sources. The rise in...
Fragile Europe PTA industry threatened by imports, low consumption
LONDON (ICIS)--The European Commission’s antidumping investigation into purified terephthalic acid (PTA) imports is an attempt by the industry to protect the European market from succumbing to...
OUTLOOK: US H2 ACN and ABS affected by plant closures and tariffs
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The four-year demand decline in US acrylonitrile (ACN) markets may continue well into 2026. Demand for ACN in H2 2025 forecast to be low Approval of high purity grades accelerates as...
Negotiations to create a global plastic pollution treaty collapse again
Geneva meeting descends into chaos with hastily revised treaty text rejected by member states
Plant status: Trinseo MMA plant in Rho, Italy, offline for maintenance – sources
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Trinseo Location: Rho, Italy Product: Methyl methacrylate (MMA) Capacity (tonnes/year): 90,000 Event start: Early August 2025 Event finish: Late...
Trump’s latest rule on research grants sidelines scientific merit and adds bureaucracy, academic groups warn
A new White House directive will see political appointees vet federal research funding decisions