Industry News
Chemical Industry News
China’s average MTBE plant run rate flat at 59.8% on stable operation
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The average run rate of China’s methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) plants stabilized at 59.8% in the week ended 7 November, which is a relatively high level of this year, ICIS...
Plant status: China’s Jiangsu Sopo Chemical completes etac plant turnaround
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Jiangsu Sopo Chemical Location: Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China Product: Ethyl acetate (etac) Capacity (tonnes/year): 500,000 Event start: 10 October...
China exports to stay weak on US tariffs, high-base effect
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s exports unexpectedly shrank in October and may remain weak throughout Q4 on high-base effect caused by front-loading of shipments last year amid fears of US tariffs....
Plant status: Japan’s Daicel Corp undergoing etac/butac plant maintenance
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Daicel Corp Location: Otake, Hiroshima, Japan Product: Ethyl acetate (etac), butyl acetate (butac) Capacity (tonnes/year): 75,000 (etac);...
Plant status: China’s Yangmei Hengtong shuts MTO plant for annual maintenance
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Shandong Yangmei Hengtong Location: Shandong, China Product: Ethylene, propylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 120,000 for ethylene; 180,000 for...
India PVC market sees limited activity as ADD clarity awaited
MUMBAI (ICIS)--India’s polyvinyl chloride (PVC) spot activity remained limited in the week ended 7 November 2025 as participants stayed on the sidelines, awaiting clarity on the implementation of...
UPM joins Cefic to strengthen the role of renewable chemistry in Europe
UPM, the world-leading producer of wood-based biochemicals and biofuels, has joined Cefic – the European Chemical Industry Council. By becoming part of Europe’s strongest chemical industry network, UPM underlines its commitment to strengthening the role
BASF commences production of the first products from the core of the Verbund at its Zhanjiang Verbund site
BASF has successfully commenced production of the first products from the core of the Verbund at its Zhanjiang Verbund site in South China, marking a significant milestone in the company’s largest single investment project to
China Oct retail prices return to positive, wholesales deflation ease
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s retail prices returned to inflation and wholesale disinflation eased in October, driven by holiday spending and government stimulus. The consumer price index (CPI) rose by...
Typhoon Kalmaegi causes $268m damage in Vietnam; five reported dead
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Typhoon Kalmaegi has caused an estimated dong (D) 7.05 trillion (US$268 million) of damage in Vietnam as of 7 November, according to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and...
Higher Asia ABS, PMMA imports into US, Europe putting pressure on Trinseo’s margins
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Trinseo has seen a sharp increase in Asia acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) into the US and Europe starting in Q1 and continuing into Q3, which...
Industry group TFI celebrates inclusion of potash and phosphates to critical mineral list
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is celebrating that both phosphate and potash were included on the just released Final List of Critical Minerals. Originally compiled in 2018 and then...
NYMEX: US gas futures ease on increased production, warmer weather predictions
US natural gas futures lowered on 7 November amid production gains and weather prediction changes The December 2025 Henry Hub contract on NYMEX settled at $4.315/MMBtu, down nearly 1% from the...
Excess TiO2 may delay benefits from duties – US Chemours
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Benefits from the antidumping duties (ADDs) that countries are imposing on Chinese pigments will be muted by excess supplies of titanium dioxide (TiO2), executives from Chemours said...
Asia-US container rates mixed as November rate hikes gain traction on some trade lanes
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Rates for shipping containers from east Asia and China to the US were mixed this week but increases on some trade lanes indicates that 1 November general rate increases (GRIs) have...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Benchmark crude prices on track for weekly decline as oversupply concerns weigh
Russia faces difficulty selling crude in light of Western sanctions Weak macroeconomic data, growing US crude stocks contribute to weekly decline US oil rig count unchanged at 414 - Baker Hughes...
MA glut formed after China overbuilt to supply PBAT market
HOUSTON (ICIS)--China has flooded the global market with maleic anhydride (MA) because anticipated demand from a degradable plastic never came through, the CEO of US-based Huntsman said on Friday....
US government shutdown starts to affect consumer sentiment
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US consumers have started to express worries about potential negative consequences for the economy from the partial shutdown of the US federal government, according to preliminary...
Firms have yet to reshore appliance production to US – Huntsman
HOUSTON (ICIS)--So far, US-based polyurethanes producer Huntsman has seen no signs of manufacturers returning appliance production to the US, the CEO said on Friday. The US has imposed tariffs on...
Huntsman, others warn of heavier Q4 destocking
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Destocking could be heavier than normal during the fourth quarter as chemical companies either plan to reduce inventories or they see signs of customers reducing their stocks. "We may...