Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Plant status: Taiwan’s Formosa Idemitsu No 3 PC line shut in 2026
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Formosa Idemitsu Petrochemical Corp (FIPC) Location: Mailiao, Taiwan Product: Polycarbonate (PC) Capacity (tonnes/year): 75,000 Event start:...
US says 60 economies failed to curb import of ‘forced labor’ goods
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) on 2 June released findings alleging that 60 economies have failed to enforce prohibitions on forced labor. The economies under...
Plant status: Taiwan’s Formosa Idemitsu No 3 PC line to undergo turnaround
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Formosa Idemitsu Petrochemical Corp (FIPC) Location: Mailiao, Taiwan Product: Polycarbonate (PC) Capacity (tonnes/year): 75,000 Event start:...
Plant status: Malaysia’s PETRONAS restarts MEG unit at Kerteh
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: PETRONAS Chemicals Group Location: Kerteh, Malaysia Product: Monoethylene glycol (MEG) Capacity (tonnes/year): 420,000 Event start: 1 April 2026...
Plant status: China’s Sinopec Hainan shuts No 2 PX unit
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Sinopec Hainan Petrochemical Location: Yangpu, China Product: Paraxylene (PX) Capacity (tonnes/year): 1 million Event start: 2 June 2026 Event...
South Korea MX exports to Taiwan lead May trade flows
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--South Korea’s exports of isomer-grade mixed xylenes (MX) were estimated totalling 17,625 tonnes from 1 to 31 May, with Taiwan emerging as the top destination, according to...
S Korea MX spot export prices rebound on firmer July trade
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Spot export prices for South Korea-origin isomer-grade mixed xylenes (MX) have rebounded on 2 June since the last assessed prices on 29 May, driven by stronger bids and a firmer...
FPCC slashes May BD contracts in Taiwan
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Formosa Petrochemical Corp (FPCC) has set its May butadiene (BD) contracts in Taiwan at $1,700/tonne, $640/tonne lower than April, a company sources said. Its April BD contracts...
S Korea’s YNCC drops May BD contracts
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--South Korea’s Yeochun NCC (YNCC) has settled its May butadiene (BD) contracts at $1,710/tonne, $620/tonne lower than April, a company source said. YNCC’s contracts for April...
US May ’26 butyl acetate contract and distributor prices rise as supply concerns and feedstock pressure continue
HOUSTON (ICIS)--While prices of butyl acetate (butac) have begun to ease in other regions, higher prices continue to be seen in the US. US May contract prices of butac rose between 10-13 cents/lb...
NYMEX: US gas futures dip amid persistent LNG maintenance
Front-month US natural gas futures fell slightly on 2 June as LNG feedgas nominations remained below the industry’s maximum capacity for deliveries, Criterion data showed The July Henry Hub...
US June 2026 benzene contract settles up month on month, reaches highest price since July ’22 settlement
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The June 2026 US benzene contract rose 20 cents/gal and has settled at $4.91/gal ($1,476.14/tonne) FOB (free on board) US Gulf. This marks the seventh consecutive rise in monthly...
Dow maintains LPG supplies for Europe crackers
COLORADO SPRINGS (ICIS)--Dow's crackers have continued receiving liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for their crackers in Europe, despite Middle Eastern suppliers being cut off from the closure of the...
EU should implement preliminary ADDs to protect markets – Dow CEO
COLORADO SPRINGS (ICIS)--The EU should have a mechanism for implementing preliminary antidumping duties (ADDs) to protect its markets, particularly from China, the CEO of Dow said. “This has been a...
INSIGHT: US stuck in strategic cul-de-sac over reopening Hormuz
COLORADO SPRINGS (ICIS)--The US is stuck in a strategic cul-de-sac over negotiating a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which could extend its closure and further raise oil prices, retired General...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude prices move sideways and rise as traders await clarity on Iran-US talks
Oil prices extend Monday’s rally amid stalled Iran-US talks IEA and ICIS warn of potential supply tightness should summer demand pick up India becomes second largest buyer of Venezuelan crude oil...
First shockwave from Middle East crisis has passed but more may come – Dow CEO
COLORADO SPRINGS (ICIS)--The first shockwave from the Middle East crisis which saw chemicals and plastics prices surge has passed but there is likely to be another wave to come if the Strait of...
German industry hit by supply shortages, 2026 production set to fall
LONDON (ICIS)--Germany's chemical and other industries continue to be hit by shortages of materials in the wake of the Middle East conflict, and the country's full-year 2026 industrial production is...
Global crude oil market approaching tipping point as inventories draw down – Dow CEO
COLORADO SPRINGS (ICIS)--The global crude oil market is fast approaching a tipping point as inventories diminish, raising the specter of much higher prices and longer lasting impacts on global...
Container rates to face upward pressure through end-July on peak-season demand
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Strong container freight rate momentum looks set to last at least until the end of July as carriers continue to cash in on the high peak season demand, according to shipping market...