Industry News
Chemical Industry News
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude benchmarks edge higher as US-EU tariff deal eases trade war concerns
US-EU trade deal averts trade war, supporting global demand outlook Trump cuts Russia deadline on Ukraine war, raising risk of new sanctions US-China trade talks continue in Stockholm, adding to...
RAILROADS: UP, NS merger to close in early 2027; chem industry groups remain opposed
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Executives from Class 1 railroads Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) said on Tuesday that their merger enhances competition and creates a more reliable and efficient...
Threat of Brazil tariffs disrupts caustic soda market – Olin
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The possibility that Brazil could impose retaliatory tariffs on US imports has already caused a decline of shipments of caustic soda to the country, the CEO of chlor-alkali producer...
OUTLOOK: US polyol and TDI markets balanced in H2; MDI possibly short
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Supplies for polyester polyols, polyether polyols and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) are all expected to remain balanced headingH2, but methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) is at risk of...
China’s talk of shutdowns points to bottom for vinyls – Olin
HOUSTON (ICIS)--China's recent talk about shutting down old capacity could be a sign that the vinyls market could be approaching a bottom, the CEO of Olin said on Tuesday. "I do see some signs of...
OUTLOOK: US caustic soda markets face protectionism, softening demand in H2
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US caustic soda market in H2 will be shaped by multiple factors, including softening demand, shifting trade policy and oversupply in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sector. Supply...
Demand unlikely to move French power Day-ahead as traders eye renewables, nukes as main drivers
Demand unlikely to move French spot prices through the rest of 2025 - traders French consumption is forecast to remain mainly below the five-year average Renewables and nuclear risks more impactful...
US-EU deal avoids trade war ‘for time being’ but tariffs still too high – chems groups
MADRID (ICIS)--EU chemicals will lose out to US competitors under the tariff regime agreed in the latest US-EU trade deal, which avoids “for the moment” a trade war, Germany’s chemicals trade...
US consumer confidence ticks up, tariffs and prices remain top concerns
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US consumer confidence improved modestly in July as the tariffs and fears of higher prices remained top concerns, according to the US Conference Board’s latest Consumer Confidence...
UK likely to be net power importer in September, weather and outage risks remain
By Anna Coulson and Ethan Tillcock UK power September ’25 Baseload contract is above European counterparts The UK power premium indicates net power imports are likely as weather and outages are key...
Europe naphtha weighed down by slow demand, crude contamination adds supply risk
LONDON (ICIS)--European naphtha prices continued to trend lower as lack of physical activity amid a structurally long market and weak gasoline blending requirements, besides persistent feedstock...
OUTLOOK: Oversupply, protectionism, increased competition to challenge PVC markets
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US polyvinyl chloride (PVC) market will remain under pressure in H2 as producers deal with ongoing oversupply. While domestic demand has held steady so far this year, the...
OUTLOOK: INSIGHT: US to roll out sectoral tariffs after imposing national duties
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US is approaching a 1 August deadline to conclude tariff negotiations with several countries, after which it will likely proceed with more duties on specific products such as...
PODCAST: Global EG markets facing new regulations, lack of downstream demand in H2
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US ethylene glycol (EG) markets reporter Melissa Wheeler discusses global market dynamics and factors on the EG markets with Judith Wang, Asia EG Senior Editor, and Nicole Simpson,...
Germany Jan-May chemical exports decline in all regions
LONDON (ICIS)--Germany’s chemical exports declined in the first five months of 2025, in all major regions, according to data by chemical producers’ trade group VCI on Tuesday: Chemical exports,...
Europe’s replacement consumer tire market turns negative in H1 2025 as volumes decline in Q2 – ETRMA
LONDON (ICIS)--European replacement tire sales have declined 4% in the second quarter of 2025, resulting in slightly negative volumes in the first half of 2025, according to the European Tyre and...
South Korea base oils output falls in June on maintenance
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--South Korea’s base oils output edged lower in June as additional plant-maintenance work continued through most of the month. Lower output, firmer domestic demand and a surge in...
Argentina lube demand falls for fourth month in June
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Argentina’s lube demand fell in June for a fourth month from year-earlier levels, while lube production fell for a seventh month. The sustained drop in lube consumption and...
INSIGHT: Europe chooses clarity over a fight, but crucial detail still lacking
LONDON (ICIS)--The European Commission has chosen peace over a trade war with the US, offering numerous concessions to Washington in return for very little beyond the hope of normalized relations...
Losing sleep over pesticide exposure
Managing exposure risks