Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Plant status: Pemex restarts LDPE plant in Mexico
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Pemex Location: La Cangrejera, Mexico Product: Low density polyethylene (LDPE) Capacity (tonnes/year): 105,000 Event start: 17 February Event...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude benchmarks up as market positive about latest extension of US trade deadline
US extension of trade agreements deadline buoyed market by indicating deals could be made Market continued to weigh likely impact of OPEC+ decision to raise production Strong seasonal demand...
Repsol and RIC Energy cancel 30MW Spanish renewable hydrogen project
LONDON (ICIS)--Energy major Repsol and renewables developer RIC Energy have cancelled a 30MW renewable hydrogen project in Puertollano, Spain, citing technical and economic infeasibility. On 8 July,...
Netherlands unveils national agenda for underground hydrogen storage
LONDON (ICIS)--On 4 July, Dutch minister of climate and green growth Sophie Hermans presented the national agenda for underground hydrogen storage, identifying salt caverns as the most viable option....
Ethane restrictions fueling boom in US ethylene exports
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US ethylene exports in May surged 69% month on month and 50% year on year, according to the latest data from the ICIS Supply and Demand Database. Shipments have remained elevated...
Greece launches open call for €7.9 million renewable hydrogen-fuelled CHP pilot
LONDON (ICIS)--On 4 July, Greece launched a €7.9 million open call for the installation and operation of a high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) unit powered by renewable hydrogen. The...
UK joint venture formed to deliver low-carbon hydrogen from imported ammonia
LONDON (ICIS)--On 4 July, hydrogen developer AFC Energy and chemical supplier Industrial Chemicals Group announced the launch of a UK-based joint venture aimed at producing low-carbon hydrogen by...
Plant status: Phillips 66 Linden, New Jersey, PP line down on FM after equipment failure
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Phillips 66 Location: Linden, New Jersey, US Product: Polypropylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 176,000 Event start: 2 July 2025 Event finish:...
EU launches hydrogen matchmaking platform
LONDON (ICIS)--The European Commission has launched a new digital platform under the European Hydrogen Bank (EHB) to connect hydrogen suppliers with potential buyers, aiming to accelerate the...
Germany manufacturing output rises 1.4% in May, but chemicals decline
LONDON (ICIS)--Following an April decline, Germany's manufacturing output rose 1.4% month on month in May, but chemical production fell, according to the latest statistical data: May 2025, change...
Europe p-series glycol ethers prices soften into July, e-series FM monitored
LONDON (ICIS)--Spot prices for p-series glycol ethers came under further pressure into July with sellers still struggling to maintain offers at higher levels. Propylene glycol methyl ether acetate...
US base oils exports rise in May
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Base oils exports from the US rose in May amid signs of improving availability of surplus volumes. A sharp dip in exports to markets like West Africa suggested that the size of any...
EU Commission unveils Action Plan to save Europe’s ailing chems sector
LONDON (ICIS)--The European Commission has unveiled a plan to save the region’s ailing chemicals industry, while simplifying regulations to save €363 million a year, the institution announced on...
LPG prices in Europe up slightly with butane market robust
LONDON (ICIS)--LPG spot prices for large northwest Europe (NWE) cargoes firmed into the first week of July in line with bullish momentum on upstream crude oil futures prices. Butane continues to see...
Global base oils margins outlook: Week of 7 July
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Global base oils values mostly hold firm versus feedstock/competing fuel prices, even as they remain down from recent highs in Q2 2025. Firm base oils margins coincide with strong...
India June lube demand remains elevated in June
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--India’s lube demand held firm in June, keeping pressure on importers and domestic refiners to sustain sufficient base oils supply to meet requirements. An extended round of...
PODCAST: Romanian Black Sea gas will be a regional game-changer – OMV Petrom executive director
High capacity-booking interest for gas exports from Romania to Hungary for the next ten years indicate regional companies may be preparing for the start of Black Sea gas production from 2027. In...
Heatwave risks could support French August ’25, narrowing spreads with Germany
Recent gains on the French August '25 tighten its discount to the German counterpart Traders list temperatures, nuclear curtailments and low hydro as significant factors driving French power prices...
Bulgaria targets Q4 2026 start for Vertical Corridor gas link
Bulgaria receives second major pipe delivery for key gas corridor Project to boost regional supply security Construction permits and compressor works expected in coming weeks LONDON (ICIS) –...
Dow closure announcement ‘a dark day’ for German chemical industry, officials say
LONDON (ICIS)--Dow’s announcement on 7 July to close its ethylene plant by Q4 2027 in Bohlen and its chlor-alkali and vinyl assets at Schkopau marked “a dark day” for the chemical industry in...