Industry News
Chemical Industry News
US pending home sales fall unexpectedly
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US pending home sales fell 0.8% month on month in January, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported on Thursday. After a 9.3% December decline, economists had expected...
Plant status: Qatar’s Q-Chem II HDPE production in unplanned outage since early February – sources
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Qatar Chemical II (Q-Chem II) Location: Mesaieed, Qatar Product: High density polyethylene (HDPE) Capacity (tonnes/year): 375,000 Event start:...
EUAs to keep driving German power Q2 ’26, but weather and gas stocks could be risk factors
German Q2 ’26 power contract has experienced a relatively steep decline since the end of January, driven by lower EUA prices EUA carbon prices are likely to remain a key driver for German power...
European February SBR contracts increase on feedstock gains
LONDON (ICIS)--European styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) contract prices have been assessed at double-digit increases, due to higher feedstock costs experienced this month. February SBR contract prices...
Decision on future of Britain’s largest gas-storage site Rough expected in H1 2026
Centrica expects government to decide on regulatory support for Rough redevelopment in H1 ‘26 Site paused operations in 2025 Government decision could drive revival or closure of country’s only...
Europe melamine February contracts rollover as demand fails to improve
LONDON (ICIS)--European melamine February contracts have been assessed at rollovers, depending on starting point and account as demand largely failed to improve. Muted demand expectations ahead of Q2...
US December trade deficit widens as exports fall, imports rise
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US goods and services deficit rose by $17.3 billion or 32.6% month on month to $70.3 billion in December as exports fell while imports rose, the US Census Bureau reported on...
Greece’s Desfa launches tender for Karperi-Komotini pipeline construction with 25-month timeline
Grid operator launches tender for Karperi-Komotini pipeline 25-month timeline puts it slightly behind dates envisioned in TYDP Project is key for enabling new LNG terminals and higher regional...
What are some of the largest crystals in the world?
From copper sulfate to quartz we look at six of the biggest crystals out there
European jet fuel differentials firm as maintenance keeps prompt supply tight
LONDON (ICIS)--European jet fuel physical markets remained supported this week as prompt tightness resurfaced, with aggressive buying lifting differentials to ICE gasoil futures despite largely...
Ukraine storage critical to balancing CEE LNG portfolios – market sources
Ukrtransgaz could consider switching to euro, MWh energy units Gas grid operators competing to offer attractive tariffs Many companies still using swaps, spreads to limit costs LONDON...
Gabon LNG on track as Africa accelerates floating export projects
Floating Gabon LNG to come online at the end of next year Reflects growing appetite for floating LNG projects in Africa Other floating projects in Mozambique, Congo, Nigeria in the works LONDON...
INSIGHT: US unlikely to withdraw from USMCA, but risks for Mexico, Canada remain
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--The US, Canada and Mexico are heading towards a pivotal joint review of their USMCA trade deal by July, the outcome of which will shape North America’s trade, investment, and...
Crude firms, stock markets sink amid US-Iran tensions
LONDON (ICIS)--Crude futures rose to a six-month high in midday trading on Thursday while stock indices in Europe and the Middle East sank on the back of fears about an escalation in hostilities...
Plant status: Celanese VAM unit in Germany to remain down through Q1
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Celanese Location: Frankfurt, Germany Product: Vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) Capacity (tonnes/year): 305,000 Event start: July 2025 Event finish: Q2...
Japan’s Zeon breaks ground on new cyclo-olefin polymers plant
LONDON (ICIS)--Japanese chemical and synthetic rubber producer Zeon has broken ground on its new cyclo-olefin polymers (COP) plant at Yuka Town, Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The plant will help...
Brazil’s Unipar signs 15-year renewable energy deal with Casa dos Ventos
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Unipar has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with renewable energy group Casa dos Ventos and will take a stake in a joint venture to develop solar capacity in Brazil's...
Hungary’s Hexum to offer almost 3.2TWh in 2026-2031 gas storage auctions
Hexum to offer around 3.2TWh for 2026-2031 storage years This represents nearly all available capacity out to 2030 Auction to be held on 24 February LONDON (ICIS)--Hungarian gas storage operator...
Europe butyl-A softens amid cheap imports despite rising cost pressures
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe butyl acrylate (butyl-A) market has seen spot prices soften this week, in spite of rising cost pressures. The move down comes as lower-cost imported material remains...
Repsol 2025 profits improve despite weaker chemicals
LONDON (ICIS)--Repsol’s net income for 2025 firmed on the back of stronger gas and electricity revenues, while the chemicals business and a general Spanish blackout on 28 April slowed the overall...