Industry News
Chemical Industry News
2.3GW German ground-mounted solar auction boosts total 2025 solar capacity awarded to 8.1GW
German Federal Network Agency awards 2.3GW of solar ground-mounted PV at an average price of €50/MWh Bidding activity more than doubled compared to the previous round, reflecting a higher interest...
WEEKLY POWER OUTLOOK: Mild temperatures and ample renewables pressuring French Week 8 ’26 power contract
LONDON (ICIS)--Above-average temperatures and well-above-average wind generation and precipitation levels are likely to pressure French power spot prices in Week 8. Ample nuclear margins will also...
EU to review gas-power price coupling again in bid to lower energy prices
European Commission to re-examine gas-power price coupling EU seeking concrete ways to lower energy prices quickly EU leaders to review options at next meeting in March LONDON (ICIS)--The EU pledged...
EUROPEAN GAS STORAGE UPDATE: Lower storage withdrawals ease tensions on seasonal spreads
By Fabio Roccon and Marta Del Buono MILAN (ICIS)--European storage withdrawals over the 29 January - 12 February period decreased by 21% compared with the previous fortnight and 5% year on year,...
Plant status: Dow Argentina shuts down HDPE plant for scheduled maintenance – sources
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Dow Chemical Location: Bahia Blanca, Argentina Products: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) Capacity (tonnes/year): 71,000 Event start: 7 February...
US CPI inflation slows to 2.4% in January
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), rose at a 2.4% year on year pace in January, slowing from 2.7% in December, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)...
Plant status: Japan’s Asahi Kasei Mitsubishi Chem targets cracker restart
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Asahi Kasei Mitsubishi Chemical Location: Mizushima, Japan Product: Ethylene, propylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 567,000 (ethylene), 300,000...
Plant status: Innova shuts Triunfo PS plant for planned maintenance
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Innova Location: Triunfo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Product: Polystyrene (PS) Capacity (tonnes/year): 75,000 Event start: 9 February Event...
Plant status: Malaysia’s PRefChem cuts cracker runs after complex incident
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Pengerang Refining and Petrochemical (PRefChem) Location: Pengerang, Malaysia Product: Ethylene, propylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 1,200,000...
Slimming down competition over weight-loss drugs
Legal battle between Novo Nordisk and US compounding pharmacy Hims & Hers has fizzled after regulator intervention
Mixed-material microrobots created from 3D-printed templates
Precision and flexibility combined in alternative nano fabrication approach
When we ate whales for breakfast
A reminder that technological developments aren’t sufficient to solve environmental problems
Reimagining a forgotten battery design from Thomas Edison
A little-known fact: In the year 1900, electric cars outnumbered gas-powered ones on the American road. The lead-acid auto battery of the time, courtesy of Thomas Edison, was expensive and had a range of only
Element cobalt exhibits surprising properties
The element cobalt is considered a typical ferromagnet with no further secrets. However, an international team led by HZB researcher Dr. Jaime Sánchez-Barriga has now uncovered complex topological features in its electronic structure. Spin-resolved measurements
Dimethyl Ether Could Be the Game Changer for the Hydrogen Economy
To ensure energy security and achieve its climate protection goals, Germany will import large quantities of hydrogen in the future. Dimethyl ether (DME) is an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, efficient, and economically attrac-tive gas that shows
Europe AA, acrylate ester prices stable despite mounting feedstock pressure
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe acrylic acid (AA) and acrylate ester markets have seen spot prices remain stable this week. This comes amid a mixed demand picture, with some players stating demand is weak...
US existing home sales fall 8.4% amid poor January weather
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US existing-home sales fell 8.4% month on month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.91 million in January, following four consecutive monthly increases, according to data from...
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY WEEK 2026: UK National Wealth Fund targets £4-5 billion annual clean energy deployment
LONDON (ICIS)--The UK’s National Wealth Fund plans to deploy £4-5 billion per year into clean energy, grid infrastructure and industrial decarbonization, chief executive Oliver Holbourn said...
Europe SBR spot prices firm slightly on feedstock cost pressure
LONDON (ICIS)--European styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) spot prices were assessed slightly firmer in the week to 11 February due to rising feedstock pressure so far this month. The European styrene...
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY WEEK 2026: Community energy faces finance hurdle despite momentum
LONDON(ICIS)--Community-owned renewable energy projects could play a larger role in lowering costs and easing pressure on the UK power system, but access to finance remains a structural barrier,...