Industry News
Chemical Industry News
NYMEX: US gas futures scale back weather-driven gains
US natural gas futures dropped on 5 June, undoing some of the recent weather-driven gains as June forecasts scaled back slightly The July ’26 front-month contract settled at $3.229/MMBtu, down 3%...
Asia-US container rates soar on demand surge as volumes pulled forward to beat tariffs
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Rates for shipping containers from east Asia and China to the US surged this week - rising by more than 30% on some routes - as a demand surge ahead of Section 301 tariffs taking...
US May glycol ether spot prices rise, but E-series prices rise more than PM and PMA
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US May glycol ether spot prices rose month on month for both the E-series, butyl glycol (BG) and butyl diglycol (BDG), and the P-series, propylene glycol methyl ether (PM) and...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices down after Oman oil exports reported to be unimpeded by port explosion
Omani exports unencumbered by reports of oil port explosion Collapse of Israel-Lebanon peace accord supports oil prices OPEC’s global demand growth outlook likely to be overly optimistic US oil rig...
Canada’s new vehicle sales fall for eighth month amid ‘feels like’ recession
TORONTO (ICIS)--Sales of new light vehicles (cars and light trucks) in Canada fell 1.7% year on year to an estimated 184,000 units in May, for an eighth consecutive decline, according to estimates by...
INSIGHT: Brazil’s industry, cabinet in crisis mode as US tariffs threat add uncertainty in electoral year
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazil's main industrial trade group and economic analysts are weighing the implications of two sweeping tariff proposals unveiled this week by the US administration which, if...
Europe June BPA formula contract price extends gains on costs
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe bisphenol A (BPA) formula contract price has increased in June, representing the third consecutive monthly rise, on higher upstream costs. The BPA formula contract price...
WEEKLY POWER OUTLOOK: Mixed weather fundamentals in week 24 to keep prices in a tight range
Mixed weather fundamentals in UK, France and Netherlands Lower German temperatures could weigh on demand next week – trader High temperatures, low wind in Hungary could support Hungarian power...
Huntsman sells Italy auto parts maker Gomet to Trelleborg
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Huntsman has sold its Italy-based Gomet business to Trelleborg Group for €42.5 million ($50 million), the US-based polyurethanes producer announced on Friday. Gomet makes molded...
European acetone spot truck price softens further on plentiful supply
LONDON (ICIS)--Europe domestic acetone spot truck prices continued to decline due to ample supply and weak spot demand. Prices were quoted in a wide range again overall, although some noted that...
Eurozone Q1 GDP revised to 0.2% decline, led by 12.1% drop in Ireland
LONDON (ICIS)--Eurozone Q1 2026 GDP fell 0.2% from Q4 2025, led by a 12.1% decline in Ireland, EU statistics agency Eurostat said in an updated estimate released on Friday. In a preliminary...
Plant status: Hungary’s MOL widens force majeure after explosion
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: MOL Petrochemicals Location: Tiszaujvaros, Hungary Products: High density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), low density polyethylene (LDPE)...
Europe toluene contract price slips in June
LONDON (ICIS)--The European toluene June contract price has been assessed at a $140/tonne decrease from May. The June contract price was assessed at $1,135/tonne on a FOB (free on board) NWE...
Italy advances nuclear plans with lower house approval of framework bill
Chamber of Deputies backs nuclear framework legislation NECP scenarios cited in law envisage up to 16GW of nuclear capacity by 2050 Senate approval and implementing decrees still required LONDON...
European June phenol contracts jump on large benzene hike, small energy surcharge
LONDON (ICIS)--European June phenol contract prices have increased by €135/tonne. The upstream benzene contract price for June was settled up by €131/tonne last week at a 26‑month high due to...
Brazil’s chemicals output down nearly 4% in April, rubber and plastics buck trend
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazil’s chemicals output fell 3.9% in April, month on month, the steepest negative contribution among all sectors tracked by national statistics agency IBGE. Rubber and plastics...
WEEKLY GAS OUTLOOK: Markets to react to headlines in week 24, weather to impact regional demand patterns
LONDON (ICIS)--European gas hubs will continue to be influenced by headlines on global geopolitical tensions in week 24, as temperatures are set to consolidate within seasonal averages in northern...
Plant status: Malaysia’s PRefChem restart hits snag, H1 June restart still targeted
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Pengerang Refining and Petrochemical (PRefChem) Location: Pengerang, Malaysia Product: Ethylene, propylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 1.2 million...
GAS ALERT: Romanian export capacity towards Hungary could rise 6% by end of year
LONDON (ICIS)--Romanian export capacity towards Hungary could rise by 6% following the completion of ongoing works, Hungarian TSO FGSZ said on 5 June. The two countries’ interconnection point at...
GAS ALERT: Austrian flow-based fees more than double for 2027, exit tariffs rise
LONDON (ICIS)--Flow-based fees in Austria will more than double in 2027, while exit costs will also mostly rise, the country’s new tariff publication shows. The most important change regards the...