Industry News
Chemical Industry News
OUTLOOK: Asia-US shipping rates to stay low in H2 amid weak demand, tariff effects
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The container shipping market should continue to face downward pressure for the rest of 2025 on weak demand and a softer-than-normal peak season, while the liquid chemical spot tanker...
Limited impact on US chemical imports from threatened 25% tariff on India
NEW YORK (ICIS)--The US threat of a 25% tariff on imports from India effective 1 August would have limited impact on chemicals market. Any retaliation by India would be more meaningful, potentially...
OUTLOOK: US EG supply glut to continue on flat downstream demand, export tariffs
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US ethylene glycol (EG) supply is expected to remain elevated through the remainder of 2025, as downstream polyethylene terephthalate (PET) demand is expected to fall even further...
Turkey zeroes import duties on Qatari polyethylene, opening gates for 2027 capacity additions
FRANCE (ICIS) -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on 29 July has withdrawn import duties previously set at 6.5% on Qatari polyethylene. The decision was published in Turkey's legal gazette Wednesday...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude steadies as markets assess US sanctions threat on buyers of Russian barrels
Trump’s 10-12 day Russia deadline adds supply risk EIA inventory data shows large build in crude, although gasoline stocks fell US and China to seek extension of 90-day tariff truce, likely bullish...
US Fed keeps rates steady as economic activity moderates, inflation ‘somewhat elevated’
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady at 4.25-4.50% as recent indicators show growth in the economy has moderated in the first half of the year while inflation...
OUTLOOK: LatAm PP tracks oversupply as global prices to drive local markets
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Latin America polypropylene (PP) market is expected to remain in a long position in the rest of 2025. Although regional demand is predicted to increase by around 3% in H2 2025...
N American chemical rail traffic rises for fourth week
HOUSTON (ICIS)--North American chemical rail traffic rose 0.8% year on year to 48,334 railcar loadings for the week ended 26 July, marking a fourth consecutive increase, according to the latest...
Canada’s central bank leaves key rate unchanged but may cut if economy weakens
TORONTO (ICIS)--Canada’s central bank, The Bank of Canada (BoC), on Wednesday left its key overnight lending rate unchanged at 2.75% for a third consecutive time. The last rate cut, from 3.00% to...
OUTLOOK: US PP stable amid improved propylene supply
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US polypropylene (PP) is expected to continue to be less volatile in the rest of 2025, following 2024 where prices changed every month. Tariffs should have minimal impact on PP...
Crude quality issues in Azeri barrels raise alarm for Europe naphtha market
LONDON (ICIS)--A wave of crude contamination linked to high levels of organic chlorides in Azerbaijani-origin cargoes is likely to disrupt refinery operations across the Mediterranean, potentially...
Southern Europe to play larger role in bringing gas to CEE market – D.Trading CEO
LNG from the south to play more important strategic role Route 1 needs €3/MWh cut, longer guaranteed capacity Biomethane “closer to reality” than hydrogen in Ukraine LONDON (ICIS) – Southern...
US June pending home sales fall 0.8%, miss expectations
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Following a 1.8% May increase, US pending sales of existing homes fell 0.8% month on month in June, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported on Wednesday. Analysts had...
€1.1 billion EHB auction to support both RFNBO and low-carbon hydrogen
LONDON (ICIS)--On 30 July the European Commission published draft terms for its third Innovation Fund hydrogen auction (IF25), outlining a €1.1 billion support package aimed at scaling up renewable...
ACER recommends inter-temporal cost allocation rules for EU hydrogen network
LONDON (ICIS)--On 28 July, the EU’s Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) issued its first formal guidance on how hydrogen network costs should be shared between early and future...
Germany and Canada launch €400 million renewable hydrogen auction consultation
LONDON (ICIS)--On 28 July the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) launched a public consultation for a €400 million bilateral renewable hydrogen auction with Canada. The auction,...
Netherlands’ May base oils output rises
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The Netherlands’ base oils output rose to a four-month high in May, while Europe’s imports from markets producing Group II base oils climbed to a seven-month high. The rise in...
Hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer Symbio could lose 80% of business in Stellantis hydrogen exit
LONDON (ICIS)--On 28 July, French hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer Symbio announced it was “facing a major setback” following automotive manufacturer and shareholder Stellantis’ decision to exit...
Argentina’s June base oils exports rise
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Argentina’s base oils exports rose to a multiyear high in June amid a growing focus on tapping strong overseas demand for Group I base oils. The surge in exports, and...
Stepan raises prices to close gap with high oleochemical raw material costs
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Stepan will keep raising selling prices in its surfactants business to catch up with “a significant run-up in oleochemical raw material costs” it experienced in Q2, CEO Luis Rojo...