Industry News
Chemical Industry News
US Chemours swings to Q2 net loss on legal expenses
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US-based pigment and fluoromaterials producer Chemours reported on Tuesday a net loss because of a settlement agreement over pollution litigation. The following table summarizes the...
NYMEX: US gas futures break through $3/MMBtu threshold again
Front-month US natural gas futures broke a multiday losing streak on 5 August, rising on forecasts of hot weather in mid-August and strength in LNG feedgas nominations The September Henry Hub...
Plant status: Olin declares FM on US phenol/acetone – sources
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Olin Location: Oyster Creek, Texas, US Product: Phenol, acetone Capacity (tonnes/year): 295,000 phenol; 180,000 acetone Event start: Early August...
Brazil imports of US caustic soda may avoid tariffs through duty drawbacks
HOUSTON (ICIS)--If Brazil imposes retaliatory tariffs on imports from the US, they could be avoided through duty drawbacks, under which products made from those imports are exported, an executive...
Westlake sees no signs of China shutting capacity despite weak pricing
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Westlake has so far seen no signs that producers in China are shutting down capacity, despite a recently announced program to idle older capacity and low prices, the US-based vinyls...
PVC pipe demand helps offset weak housing market – US Westlake
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Demand for vinyl pipe for infrastructure projects is helping to offset weak demand for building materials from the housing market, US-based Westlake said on Tuesday. US cities,...
US July auto sales top expectations, but analyst keeps full-year forecast at 15.3 million
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US July sales of new light vehicles rose year on year and month on month, beating industry expectations, but the chief economist at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude benchmarks still struggling over latest oversupply concerns, tariffs
OPEC+’s 547,000 barrel/day increase in September continues to pressure prices Trump’s threat to raise tariffs on India widens trade tensions between the two countries Latest US crude inventory...
Canada chemical and plastics exports plunge 19.4% year on year in June
TORONTO (ICIS)--Canadian exports of basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products fell 19.4% year on year to Canadian dollars (C$) 2.954 billion ($2.141 billion) in June, according to...
OUTLOOK: Tariff uncertainty dampens US outlook; growth levers may offer upside longer term
NEW YORK (ICIS)--US tariffs and ongoing uncertainty, even as agreements have been struck and new rates set on 1 August, will continue to weigh on economic growth. However, lower-than-threatened rates...
Colombia’s manufacturing expands further in July as inflation eases, monetary easing pauses
MADRID (ICIS)--Colombia's petrochemicals-intensive manufacturing sectors continued expanding in July, improving on its June mark, as improving demand conditions coincide with moderating inflation...
US tariffs add ‘uncertain, adverse’ effects to Brazil’s economy – central bank
MADRID (ICIS)--Brazil's central bank highlighted US trade tariffs as a significant source of uncertainty affecting monetary policy decisions, with policymakers closely monitoring their "significant...
Continental Tires group sector margins decline in Q2 2025 on US trade policy uncertainty, exchange rate impact
LONDON (ICIS)--Continental’s Tires group sector recorded sales of €3.3 billion in the second quarter of 2025, down 2% compared with Q2 2024 at €3.4 billion, according to an earnings update on 5...
Europe MA flake spot prices lift, liquid stable
LONDON (ICIS)--Spot prices in Europe's maleic anhydride (MA) market lifted at the low end for flake material, while liquid was assessed stable. Demand remains stable to soft, particularly as the...
Europe naphtha market faces strain as cracks weaken, outlook turns cautious
LONDON (ICIS)--The European open-spec naphtha market is confronting sustained downward pressure, as prices, margins and structural signals all point to a bearish outlook into 2025. Despite localized...
US services sector activity nearly stalls in July
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US services sector activity nearly ground to a halt in July, as measured by the latest services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) survey from the Institute for Supply Management...
Thailand lube demand steadies in June
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Thailand’s lube demand showed signs of a recovery in June, adding to a widespread pick-up in consumption throughout the Asia-Pacific region at the end of Q2. Firmer consumption in...
Americas/EMEA base oils supply outlook: Week of 4 August
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--US base oils export price-premium to feedstock/competing fuel prices extends fall at end-July 2025. Weaker base oils export margins and signs of rising surplus supply could...
Europe average MTBE prices rise with higher Eurobob values
LONDON (ICIS)--European methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) prices rose in the week ending 1 August alongside higher average Eurobob gasoline prices. The MTBE factor to gasoline was assessed at 1.25...
French prompt contracts spike amid fears of rising river temperatures and power consumption
French prompt contracts spike following EDF's river temperature warnings River Rhone temperatures could reach highs once again as temperatures rise, potentially curtailing nuclear reactors Traders...