Industry News
Chemical Industry News
EU March epoxy stable to up; as players digest ME war fallout
LONDON (ICIS)--Europe epoxy March prices have been agreed with rollovers and rises, depending on settlement timing and agreement type, and in response to the heightened cost shocks and looming import...
Technical grade urea market to firm on lack of supply
LONDON (ICIS)--The technical grade urea (TGU) market is expected to see more tightness and increased prices due to the US-Iran conflict. In India, which is a major importer and consumer of TGU,...
AFPM ’26: Supply side constraints set tone for US caustic soda
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US caustic soda market finds itself in a unique position heading into this year’s American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) International Petrochemical Conference...
Europe E&P series glycol ethers price surge persists as spot offers remain limited
LONDON (ICIS)--Spot prices in Europe for E&P series glycol ethers have extended their gains into the latter half of March as price sentiment continues to be buoyed by declining spot availability...
European MTBE average prices continue to firm alongside stronger Eurobob values as Middle East conflict continues
LONDON (ICIS)--The European methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) average prices continued to firm in the week ending 20 March, reaching their highest level since October 2023, as stronger Eurobob...
Fromto shuts down plastic recycling site in Belgium
LONDON (ICIS)--Citing years of heavy financial losses, the plastic recycling company Fromto has announced the permanent closure of its production facility in Houthalen, Belgium. The site specialized...
US Jan construction spending fell 0.3% from Dec
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US construction spending fell 0.3% from December 2025 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,190.4 billion in January 2026, led by lower residential construction spending,...
Moldova declares state of emergency following Russian strikes on Ukrainian electricity infrastructure
Moldova faces peak-hour deficit The country is working with Romania and Ukraine to restore supplies Line disconnected earlier in the year after Russia hit Ukrainian energy installations LONDON...
Plant status: AdvanSix plans May turnaround at US phenol unit – sources
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: AdvanSix Location: Frankford, Pennsylvania Product: Phenol, acetone Capacity (tonnes/year): 510,000 phenol, 316,000 acetone Event start: Early May...
Europe propane, butane rally continues as prices trade at highest levels in five years
LONDON (ICIS)--Spot prices in Europe for propane and butane in the physical cargoes market extended gains into the latter portion of March as participants continued to digest the fallout of the...
European Commission gives green light to €5 billion Danish offshore wind CFD support
European Commission approves €5 billion Danish offshore wind state aid for CFD support Government support could provide much-needed boost in participation for 2026 auction ICIS Power Foresight...
European PA spot prices firm on higher production and logistics costs
LONDON (ICIS)--The European phthalic anhydride (PA) market saw spot prices firm for both grades in the week ended 20 March as sellers sought relief from higher production and logistical costs due to...
UK plans to allow CFDs to extend nuclear plants lifetime, aiding energy security
UK government intends to extend CFD scheme to nuclear plant lifetime extensions This would help the UK’s energy security, as nuclear provides a firm source of baseload generation UK government to...
Hungarian election outcome could shape long‑term gas strategy but short‑term supply mix unlikely to shift
Hungary to vote for new Parliament on 12 April Outcome in favor of Tisza could speed up Russian gas phase-out Traders see no short-term supply change before 2027 LONDON (ICIS)--Hungary’s upcoming...
European MA spot prices rise sharply as requests for prompt material ramp up
LONDON (ICIS)--The European maleic anhydride (MA) market saw spot prices for both liquid and flake material rise in the week ending 20 March on constrained availability, escalating energy costs and...
Russia’s Acron fertilizer sales up on ammonia upgrade
LONDON (ICIS)--Acron’s 2025 sales increased by 8% year on year on the back of production upgrades. The Russian fertilizer producer said sales of main products in 2025 reached 9.15 million tonnes,...
AFPM ’26: US propylene demand surges amid US-Iran conflict while outages limit supplies
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Increasing demand in the US propylene and derivatives markets after the US-Iran conflict and drastically changed supply dynamics is pushing spot prices and sentiment higher ahead of...
Shell eyes FID on Venezuelan gas projects before year-end
Shell could take FID on gas projects in Venezuela before year-end Legal and regulatory frameworks need to be in place Shell cites 'enormity' of country's resource HOUSTON (ICIS)--Energy major Shell...
China sulphur imports drop 35% in Jan-Feb due to demand freeze and Mideast tensions
LONDON (ICIS)--China posted a 35% drop in imports of sulphur in the first two months of 2026 as demand froze, with its markets closing for the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, and due to...
PODCAST: War, energy shocks and what comes next
LONDON (lCIS)--Energy markets were jolted into crisis after war erupted in the Middle East on 28 February, abruptly ending expectations of a calm year marked by abundant oil and gas supply and...