Industry News
Chemical Industry News
LNG Compass: Tracking the impact of Hormuz closure
LNG Compass is a column from the ICIS LNG analyst team highlighting key factors impacting supply, demand and prices; helping traders navigate their way through volatile global markets. Summary Asia...
Widening impact of conflict in Iran
Deyond hydrocarbons, helium and sulfur – byproducts of petroleum extraction – have also been critically affected by Iran’s blockade of Gulf exports
Two US states warned suspension of new tech visas for universities will hurt science
Move by Florida and Texas could be ‘devastating’ for research and other sectors experts warn amid concerns bans could spread
Sunlight-driven process upcycles polystyrene waste and elemental sulfur into valuable organic compounds
Products could be used as building blocks for semiconductor materials
How is refrigerator insulation turned back into high-quality MDI?
Materials manufacturer Covestro and the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT have signed a contract to operate a 2kt per year pilot plant for smart pyrolysis of rigid polyurethane foam waste. The
Chemical shifts help track molecules breaking apart in real time
When molecules fall apart, their electric charge doesn’t stay put—it rearranges as bonds stretch and break. An international team of scientists has now tracked these ultrafast changes in the small molecule fluoromethane (CH₃F). It was
New simulation tool tracks down unknown catalyst reactions
Nitrogen oxides, which are produced as unwanted by-products of combustion, can be converted back into molecular nitrogen using porous catalyst materials. A team of chemists at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) led by Junior Professor
PCE Instruments expands calibration laboratory at the Meschede-Freienohl site
PCE Instruments is about to reach a significant milestone in its company history: a state-of-the-art new calibration laboratory is currently being built at the company's German headquarters in Meschede-Freienohl. This ambitious construction project was necessary
US MMA facing sudden upside risk from multiple fronts amid US-Iran war
HOUSTON (ICIS)--After a prolonged weak period, US methyl methacrylate (MMA) is suddenly facing upward pressure as Q2 supply looks to be tighter. The US-Iran war has sent shockwaves through global...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude prices continue to rise despite IEA move to release 400 million barrels of reserves
Market rebound indicates doubts over likely impact of IEA oil stock release US and Japan to be largest contributors to inventory release OPEC’s global crude demand growth estimate likely to be...
US government selects Chubb for maritime reinsurance plan for Middle East shipping
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has selected Chubb to serve as the lead partner for DFC’s $20 billion maritime reinsurance plan designed to resume...
US gasoline supplies fall as refinery run rates increase
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US gasoline supplies fell during the week ended 6 March, despite a rise in refinery run rates. Gasoline demand is now slightly above that of seasonal norms. Gasoline stocks decreased...
Brazil court to allow federal tax credits on recyclables, end sales exemption
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazil’s Supreme Court (STF) has finalized the modulation of a 2021 ruling on recyclables, allowing buyers to claim federal tax (PIS/Cofins) credits on purchases of recyclable...
US trade group supports STB’s action to remove barriers on reciprocal switching
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The American Chemistry Council (ACC) submitted comments this week in support of the recent decision by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to repeal a rule that governs the...
Roehm seeks mid-March price increase for US MMA
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Roehm is seeking a price increase of 23 cents/lb ($507/tonne) on its North America methyl methacrylate (MMA), effective 15 March, according to market players. The company confirmed...
Brazil, Mexico automotive output slip in February as export weakness weighs on production
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Petrochemicals-intensive automotive production fell in both Brazil and Mexico in February, year on year, as a sharp drop in exports undermined output in Latin America's two largest...
Moldovan companies to disclose outages, capacity under REMIT‑style rules
Moldovan companies required to publish information on capacity availability and outages Failure to comply could lead to hefty penalties Moldova and other Energy Community contracting parties have...
Gas dominates UK 2029/2030 capacity market auction as clearing price drops
UK’s T-4 capacity market auction for delivery year 2029-30 clears at £27.10/kW/year, 55% lower than last year Gas-fired generation dominates the auction Winners to supply committed capacity during...
Argentina chemicals output rises 7.2% in January as pharma, agro offset plastics slump
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Argentina's chemicals output rose 7.2% in January, year on year, with strong gains in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals masking a steep contraction in plastics and synthetic rubber,...
Europe refinery solvents’ price pressure continues
LONDON (ICIS)--European refinery solvents truck prices were driven up again this week on the back of firmer feedstocks. Upstream, volatility and high pricing is ongoing as markets react to the war in...