Industry News
Chemical Industry News
AFPM ’26: Looking through the petrochemical cycle critical for success – Bob Patel
SAN ANTONIO (ICIS)--With cycles in the petrochemical industry inevitable, looking beyond current conditions to prepare for the coming changes is critical for resilience and success, said veteran...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Brent could see record monthly price rise as Yemen Houthi group joins Iran war
Oil moves higher with Yemeni Houthis joining Iran-Israel conflict Saudi Arabian exports could go towards Egypt’s Mediterranean pipeline Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian Ust-Luga port further...
US Gevo considers second ethanol plant for North Dakota expansion
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Gevo is developing plans to potentially expand its North Dakota facility by adding a second ethanol plant with targeted capacity of 75 million gallons/year, the US-based renewable...
Mexico’s Orbia credit rating downgraded on persistent PVC issues, rising debt – Fitch
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Credit rating agency Fitch downgraded Orbia’s debt to non-investment grade - also known as junk debt - as the Mexican chemicals major grapples with a years-long crisis in its...
AFPM ’26: US epoxy resins bracing for supply/demand shifts in Q2
SAN ANTONIO (ICIS)--US epoxy resins supply and demand volatility are growing heading into Q2, players said on the sidelines of this year’s International Petrochemical Conference (IPC). Everyone...
Plant status: US TDI maintenance by Covestro through first week of May 2026
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Covestro Location: Bayport, Texas, US Product: Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) Capacity (tonnes/year): 120,000 Event start: Last week of March 2026...
Plant status: US Covestro operates MDI maintenance through early May 2026
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Covestro Location: Baytown, Texas, US Product: Polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (PMDI) Capacity (tonnes/year): 320,000 Event start: 23...
AFPM ’26: AFPM charts policy goals amid achievements, war
SAN ANTONIO (ICIS)--The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) has set several goals for 2026 that cover improvements to the nation's main chemical safety program and the conclusion...
Tight tonnage, geopolitical disruption leave chemical tanker rates unanchored
LONDON (ICIS)--The deep-sea spot chemical tanker market has entered an unusually tight phase, with reports of extremely limited tonnage out of the US Gulf Coast (USG) leading to the transatlantic...
INSIGHT: Latin America braces for chemicals cost spiral as war reshapes resin markets
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Latin America's chemical and petrochemical industries start the week facing a rapidly evolving cost shock driven by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with Brazil's packaging...
Dutch TTF prices largely steady despite Middle East conflict, Australia LNG outages
Modest May '26 TTF gains despite Iran threats, Australian LNG outages Traders surprised by muted response to geopolitical and supply risk Focus shifts to whether Kharg Island threats translate into...
DMT Europe March price indicator up amid sharp PX gains
LONDON (ICIS)--The March contract indicator for Europe dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) increased, according to ICIS calculations. The assessed March range was, therefore, up by €155/tonne on both...
Upstream volatility and logistical challenges plague Europe BDO market, with flexibility the key aim
LONDON (ICIS)--Heading into Q2, the European butanediol (BDO) market is facing even more challenges than it already was after the introduction of high provisional anti-dumping duties (ADDs) in...
FOCUS: Europe MMA and PMMA to face Iran war derived supply crunch in Q2
LONDON (ICIS)--Players in Europe's methyl methacrylate (MMA) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) markets are bracing themselves for a supply crunch through Q2 due to direct and indirect impacts of the...
European DEG spot prices surge 180% in March on Iran war shocks
LONDON (ICIS)--European diethylene glycol (DEG) spot prices recorded an unprecedented week‑on‑week surge in the week ending 27 March, propelled by tightening supply and soaring production costs...
Europe March PTA contract price soars amid war-driven surge in PX costs
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe March purified terephthalic acid (PTA) contract has risen sharply, based on ICIS calculations. Consequently, the March PTA contract price is up by €268/tonne, to reach...
European toluene spot premiums stable on minimal activity
LONDON (ICIS)--European toluene spot premiums were stable in the week ending 27 March, on the back of dwindling demand and minimal activity. Gasoline prices remain high, given the elevated crude...
Italy, Iberia caustic soda prices rise for March on energy costs, tighter Med availability
LONDON (ICIS)--Italian and Iberian March caustic soda prices increased on average compared to February, as producers successfully passed through energy-related surcharges, and availability in the...
Europe mixed xylenes largely stable on dwindling demand
LONDON (ICIS)--The European mixed xylenes (MX) spot premium range was stable on both ends in the week ending 27 March, on the back of a dormant market. The gasoline price continued to rise in the...
Europe naphtha tightness deepens amid Middle East disruption, arbitrage shifts, and margin pressure
LONDON (ICIS)--European naphtha markets are entering a structurally tighter phase as Middle East supply disruptions, constrained arbitrage inflows, and refinery maintenance converge to tighten prompt...