Industry News
Chemical Industry News
European XFEL reveals quantum fluctuations in complex molecules
Due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle of quantum physics, atoms and molecules never come completely to rest, even in their lowest energy state. Researchers at European XFEL in Schenefeld near Hamburg have now been able
Simple color-changing sensor quickly identifies poisonous gases
Not all poisonous gases have a smell or a color. But a tiny grid of pastel- and candy-colored squares that effectively “sniffs” out hazardous chemicals in the air such as chlorosarin — a highly toxic
SHIPPING: Asia US container rates still falling; tanker rates mostly steady
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Shipping container rates from Asia to the US fell again this week on softer demand now that the rush to import goods before tariffs take effect is over, and liquid tanker rates were...
US UAN activity limited ahead of eagerly anticipated refill announcement on 11 August
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US UAN activity, while limited, had some further terminal movement concluded with values easing a bit more as the market is paused overall ahead of the 11 August announcement on...
PODCAST: OUTLOOK: H2 global base oil drivers
HOUSTON (ICIS)--In this podcast, join the ICIS global base oils team as they discuss the key drivers impacting the market in H2. Weaker crude complex to weigh on costs Group II supply poised for...
NYMEX: US natural gas futures dip on production, demand outlook
US natural gas futures dropped on 8 August on increased production and a moderate demand outlook The September '25 front-month contract settled at $2.99/MMBtu, down nearly 3% from the previous...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices up slightly but still towards lowest level for weeks
Oil benchmarks at prices not seen in over a month OPEC+ plans stoke concerns of saturated market India continues to push back against US tariffs LONDON (ICIS)--Crude benchmarks hit their lowest level...
Barge accident on Mississippi river unlikely to disrupt US EG shipments, supply
HOUSTON (ICIS)--An accident involving a barge carrying ethylene glycol (EG) along the Mississippi river on Thursday is not expected to disrupt EG shipments or supply, according to market...
INSIGHT: China chemical exports to Europe and Latin America ramp up after US tariffs
HOUSTON (ICIS)--China chemical exports to Europe and Latin America are ramping up for a number of products in the face of US tariffs, intensifying competition in these markets and pressuring domestic...
Canada July light vehicle sales rise 6.9% year on year; EV sales weak
TORONTO (ICIS)--Sales of cars and light trucks in Canada rose 6.9% year on year to 172,000 units in July, according to estimates by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants (DAC). Sales were “solid” in...
Brazil Braskem in talks with Unipar about assets, equity deal
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Braskem is in talks with Unipar Carbocloro about a possible deal involving assets, equity interests or both, the Brazilian polyolefins producer said on Friday. Braskem said there are...
Germany’s July new-car sales rise 11%, EV sales rise 66%; EV production hits record in H1
LONDON (ICIS)--Germany’s domestic new-car sales rose 11% year on year in July, led by electric vehicles (EVs), according to the latest data from German auto industry trade group VDA: July 2025 +/-...
ICIS POWER INSIGHT WEEK 32 NEWS IN BRIEF
This news summary was generated via Ask ICIS LONDON (ICIS)--Please find below a short summary of the key power stories ICIS published in week 32. FBMC WEEKLY: French exports likely to continue...
ICIS GAS INSIGHT WEEK 32 NEWS IN BRIEF
This news summary was generated via Ask ICIS LONDON (ICIS)--Please find below a short summary of the key power stories ICIS published in week 32. Ukraine gas imports may slow down in August amid cash...
Europe PET market apathy arises from more than just holidays
LONDON (ICIS)--Below the quiet surface of the holiday period, there are ripples of concern about surplus polyethylene terephthalate (PET) volumes in Europe. Strong competition among sellers, both...
Canada loses 41,000 jobs in July, unemployment rate steady at 6.9%
TORONTO (ICIS)--Canada lost nearly 41,000 jobs in July, following a gain of 83,000 in June, federal agency Statistics Canada (StatsCan) reported on Friday. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at...
Plant status: LyondellBasell aims to restart Brindisi PP plant soon, following technical hiccup – sources
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: LyondellBasell Location: Brindisi, Italy Product: Polypropylene (PP) Capacity (tonnes/year): 260,000 Event start: Uncertain; thought to have...
WEEKLY GAS OUTLOOK: European gas demand expected to be stable in week 33 as stores continue to fill
LONDON(ICIS)—European gas prices are expected to record slight fluctuations in week 33 amid weaker industrial demand, typical of the holiday period, as well as hotter weather offering some support...
WEEKLY POWER OUTLOOK: EDF warns of French nuclear outages in week 33 amid heatwave
By Anna Coulson and Johnathan Hamilton-Eve LONDON (ICIS)-- French nuclear capacity could be curtailed in week 33 amid well above average temperatures, with EDF issuing warnings for plants on the...
US June base oil exports to S America fall
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--US base oils exports to South America fell in June to the lowest this year and second-lowest level in more than three years amid a slump in shipments to Brazil and Argentina. Total...