Industry News
Chemical Industry News
The limits of AI in materials science
Current AI-based speech-image models can perceive content very well, but reach their limits when it comes to more complex scientific processes. This is shown by a recent study conducted by researchers at Friedrich Schiller University
Nouryon expands its South America industry-leading sodium chlorate capacity by 20% in support of new Arauco pulp mill and growing Brazilian pulp industry
Nouryon has signed a long-term agreement with Arauco to supply essential sodium chlorate and chlorine dioxide solutions for Arauco’s new $4.6 billion pulp mill in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. As part of the agreement,
Nouryon expands its South America industry-leading sodium chlorate capacity by 20%
Nouryon has signed a long-term agreement with Arauco to supply essential sodium chlorate and chlorine dioxide solutions for Arauco’s new $4.6 billion pulp mill in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. As part of the agreement,
Breakthrough smart plastic: Self-healing, shape-shifting, and stronger than steel
Aerospace engineering and materials science researchers at Texas A&M University have uncovered new properties of an ultra-durable, recyclable, smart plastic — paving the way for transformative applications in the defense, aerospace and automotive industries. The
Update: Brazil’s Unigel granted court protection to preserve liquidity during creditor negotiations
MADRID (ICIS)--Unigel was granted an urgent cautious protection to suspend creditor actions while concluding restructuring negotiations and completing a new sulphuric acid plant, the Brazilian...
US BD total production up on higher op rates and more days in the month
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The total US butadiene (BD) May production from steam crackers increased alongside higher industry operating rates, according to data from Worley Consulting. The BD total production...
NYMEX: US natural gas futures rise slightly on improved feedgas demand
US natural gas futures rose on 13 August, supported by improved feedgas demand to US LNG plants The September ’25 front-month contract settled at $2.828/MMBtu, up 0.7% from the previous settle...
US gasoline supplies drop as refinery run rates fall
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US gasoline supplies declined during the week ended 8 August, due in part to a decline in refinery utilization rates. Gasoline stocks fell week on week, according to the US Energy...
SHIPPING: 90-day extension on US-China tariffs unlikely to impact container rates – Xeneta
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The 90-day extension for further negotiations between the US and China on tariffs is unlikely to have a significant impact on shippers, according to an analyst at ocean and freight...
US propylene production improved following the end of turnarounds
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The daily rate of US propylene production from steam crackers rose according to data from Worley Consulting, formerly Advisian. Total propylene production increased, according to the...
ABS imports report increased activity in H1 2025 vs H1 2024
Houston (ICIS)--US ABS imports rose by 9% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, primarily driven by increases from Mexico, Taiwan, and France. The closure of the INEOS...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices fall after IEA report, US crude inventory build
IEA raised forecast for oil supply growth this year, lowered demand forecast Current ICIS forecast much more in line with IEA Weekly EIA report saw crude, distillate inventories rise; gasoline...
Plant status: Americas Styrenics US Ohio PS facility restarts – sources
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Americas Styrenics (AmSty) Location: Marietta, Ohio, US Product: General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS), High impact polystyrene (HIPS) Capacity...
US ethylene production rose in May after heavy maintenance ended
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The daily rate of US ethylene production from steam crackers rose in May, according to data from Worley Consulting, formerly Advisian. Total ethylene production also increased,...
How legislation is redefining the recycled plastics industry
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Legislation continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the recycled plastics industry. From global policy framework efforts to community-based mandates, regulatory...
Europe BDO August contracts roll over on sufficient supply, weak demand
LONDON (ICIS)--European August butanediol (BDO) contracts settled at a rollover from the previous month, as underlying fundamentals have largely remained steady over the summer. The majority of...
North American chemical rail traffic falls for first time in six weeks
HOUSTON (ICIS)--North American chemical rail traffic fell 1.3% year on year to 47,739 railcar loadings for the week ended 9 August, following five consecutive increases, according to the latest...
European hexane FD edges up, C9 and white spirit pricing flat
LONDON (ICIS)--European refinery solvents free delivered (FD) spot prices were unchanged this week for solvent naphtha (C9) and white spirit, but were firmer at the top of the range for hexane....
Poland’s Azoty signs LoI to produce explosives with Nitro-Chem
LONDON (ICIS)--Poland’s Grupa Azoty said on Wednesday that it had signed a letter of intent (LoI) to produce explosives with Nitro-Chem, a subsidiary of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ, or Polish...
Ukraine’s intermediate crops could produce nearly half of its biomethane ambitions
Ukraine could supply 9.2 bcm/year of biomethane from sustainable crops Intermediate crops meet EU RED II criteria, unlocking double counting toward renewable targets Model project shows potential...