Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Europe BPA spot extends uptrend on costs, import supply risk
LONDON (ICIS)--Europe bisphenol A (BPA) spot prices rose for the third consecutive week, due to higher production costs and increased domestic sourcing interest, as import supply concerns surface....
Cracker shutdowns in Asia C2: the start of a long or short domino?
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--With the Middle East conflict now a month in after the first US-Israel missiles tore into Tehran, some early predictions on cracker shutdowns have unfortunately started to come...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices make gains over the week, recovering from Monday’s crash
Trump extends deadline for Iran to respond to ceasefire proposal Freight rates continue to surge as Strait of Hormuz remains shut US oil rig count down by five to 409 - Baker Hughes LONDON...
AFPM ’26: US domestic nylon to see increased sales amid Middle East conflict
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The ongoing Middle East conflict and supply disruptions present opportunities for US nylon, heading into this year’s American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)...
Brazil’s Braskem upbeat on spreads as naphtha surges but financial restructuring clouds outlook
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Braskem expects petrochemical spreads to jump by nearly 50% in Q2 quarter on quarter as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz drives naphtha prices sharply higher and squeezes Asian...
ICIS POWER INSIGHT WEEK 13 NEWS IN BRIEF
This news summary was generated via Ask ICIS LONDON (ICIS)--Please find below a short summary of the key power stories ICIS published in week 13. FBMC WEEKLY: Strong wind to weigh on western...
US Dow pursues $340/tonne PE price increase in Latin America, converters pass costs downstream
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Dow Chemical is pursuing a further polyethylene (PE) price increase of $340/tonne in Latin America, effective 24 March, the US chemicals major said in a customer letter seen by...
AFPM ’26: US BDO market weighs cost increases, lengthy supply, global uncertainty
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US butanediol (BDO) market is weighing feedstock cost increases against a lengthy market while geopolitics and trade policy create an uncertain global market, heading into this...
Brazil’s Braskem stock down 10% as auditors flag going-concern uncertainty amid restructuring
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Braskem’s stock was down by nearly 10% in Friday afternoon trading after auditors included an emphasis paragraph in their annual report highlighting significant uncertainty over...
Europe methanol spot prices hit four-year highs, availability tightens
LONDON (ICIS)--European methanol spot prices climbed 8% based on the ICIS mid-point, reaching four-year highs. Spot prices were assessed at €440-455/tonne FOB (free on board) Rdam (Rotterdam), the...
GAS ALERT: Edison announces new LNG force majeure notice from Qatar
LONDON (ICIS)--Italy’s Edison said it has received from QatarEnergy a new notification of force majeure affecting LNG supplies scheduled for delivery at the Adriatic LNG terminal off Rovigo....
AFPM ’26: US melamine prices face upward pressure on duties, feedstock costs, rising freight rates
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US melamine is experiencing upward pricing pressure heading into this year's International Petrochemical Conference (IPC), thanks in large part to antidumping and countervailing duty...
Germany’s gas and hydrogen draft law will eventually increase long-term THE demand visibility
The German federal cabinet approved a gas and hydrogen law that creates a formal route for local gas grids to be converted, partly shut or kept running depending on demand Limited immediate impact on...
Plant status: Malaysia’s Petronas begins planned turnaround at Kerteh
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Petronas Chemicals Olefins Location: Kerteh, Malaysia Product: Ethylene, propylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 600,000 (ethylene), 95,000...
Europe’s acetone spot prices extend gains with ongoing tightness expected in April
LONDON (ICIS)--European acetone truck spot prices surged again this week as material remained very scarce and the demand pull from downstream MMA continued. Operating rates are still at low levels,...
AFPM ’26: US TiO2 faces potential supply issues though demand indicators remain lukewarm
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Titanium dioxide (TiO2) demand remains sluggish in late Q1 2025, particularly for key downstream sectors including paints and coatings. However, separate price increase proposals were...
Moldova proposes landmark steps towards aligning Transnistrian gas sector
Entity delivering gas to Transnistria to pay VAT on gas deliveries Cash to accumulate in convergence fund Tax harmonisation may be first step towards aligning markets on both banks LONDON...
WEEKLY GAS OUTLOOK: Geopolitical risk could outshine price pressure from mild weather outlook
LONDON (ICIS)--European gas prices will face bearish pressures based on a mild weather outlook in Week 14, but ongoing geopolitical risk from the conflict in the Middle East could compete with or...
AFPM ’26: US MA facing volatile feedstock costs heading into Q2
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Heading into this year’s International Petrochemical Conference (IPC), the primary focus for US maleic anhydride (MA) is on feedstock costs. Spot feedstock normal butane prices have...
Swiss chemical trade group warns on fresh US tariff threat
LONDON (ICIS)--The US government has started examining whether Switzerland engages in “unfair trade practices”, Swiss chemical-pharmaceuticals trade group scienceindustries said in an update. At...