Industry News
Chemical Industry News
European gas Summer-Winter spread tightens further as traders shift risk further down the curve
TTF Summer '26-Winter '26 spread reacts to Trump's announcement Market prices in longer-term supply disruptions, traders say Possible reductions to EU storage targets contribute to spread's...
AFPM ’26: US BD, SBR markets face tight domestic supply, global disruptions, tariff uncertainty
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US butadiene (BD) and downstream styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) markets are evaluating the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on an already tight domestic market while...
Europe VAM spot prices firm further on very tight supply
LONDON (ICIS)--European vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) spot prices have risen by a further €100-400/tonne to €1,800-2,000/tonne FD (free delivered) NWE (northwest Europe) on very tight supply and...
Jefferies sees Huntsman demand risks rising with energy shock, cuts estimates
NEW YORK (ICIS)--Investment bank Jefferies is slashing profit estimates for US-based Huntsman, especially for 2027, as demand destruction resulting from the Middle East crisis likely outweighs...
EU Commission urges countries to lower storage targets, refill early
European Commission calls for countries to set 80% gas storage targets and inject early Flexible filling aims to ease price pressure and late rush as supply tightens Commission may further lower...
Plant status: Avista Oil’s base oils re-refinery in Dollbergen to undergo maintenance in mid-April
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Avista Oil Location: Dollbergen, Germany Product: Re-Refined Base oils Group I Capacity (tonnes/year): 118,239 (2,300 barrels/day) Event start:...
Europe MPG recent buying surge lifts demand outlook
LONDON (ICIS)--Demand expectations for monopropylene glycol (MPG) have improved in Europe, supported by a surge in buying in March, tight regional availability and heightened geopolitical risk. MPG...
MARGINS: Europe naphtha‑ and LPG‑based cracker contract margins turn negative for first time on record
LONDON (ICIS)--Cracker contract margins in Europe fell further week on week amid higher feedstock costs, with both naphtha‑based and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)‑based operators posting negative...
Europe acetic acid spot firms on tightening supply
LONDON (ICIS)--European spot prices for acetic acid have risen as reduced availability and disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have put upward pressure on pricing. Truck pricing...
FBMC WEEKLY: Strong wind to weigh on western European spot power prices
LONDON (ICIS)--Strong wind generation is expected to weigh on spot prices across the flow-based market coupling (FBMC) region. However, a decline in temperatures in western Europe during the second...
US involvement could boost European Vertical Corridor gas route – Bulgartransgaz
Bulgarian gas grid operator calls for more US involvement on Vertical Corridor gas route CEE/SEE countries urged to consider submitting joint requests for gas supplies to optimize the route Greece...
AFPM ’26: US PP to see export opportunities amid Middle East conflict
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The ongoing Middle East conflict and supply disruptions present opportunities for US polypropylene (PP) exports, heading into this year’s American Fuel & Petrochemical...
Elusive ‘dark matter’ diazo compounds captured from a human lung pathogen
Discovery might lead to simpler, safer ways to make diazo-based reagents
Frustrated Lewis pairs mark 20 years of metal-free catalysis
James Mitchell Crow explains how an unexpected discovery in main group chemistry inspired two decades of chemical creativity, from carbon dioxide reduction to fluorocarbon recycling, offering sustainable alternatives to precious metal catalysis
Wevo establishes new production site in Singapore
Wevo is expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region with a new production site in Singapore. Located in the Tuas industrial area, the facility will serve as a key hub for supplying customers with locally
BAM, HZB and HU are conducting joint research on sodium batteries
The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), the Helmholtz‑Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) officially inaugurated the Berlin Battery Lab (BBL). At this new research platform, BAM, HZB and HU jointly
AI rebuilds molecules from exploding fragments
Researchers at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in the United States, European XFEL, and collaborating institutions recently built a generative AI model that can recreate molecular structures from the movement of the molecule’s ions after
Europe ABS March contract prices rise triple digits on feedstocks, tighter supply
LONDON (ICIS)--European acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) contract prices for March have increased €150–250/tonne, a mid-point increase of €200/tonne. Prices were driven by feedstocks...
Europe PS contract prices increase triple digits for March, on styrene rise and tighter supply
LONDON (ICIS)--March contract prices in the European polystyrene (PS) market increased between €150-200/tonne, a midpoint increase of €175/tonne, higher than the upstream styrene contract price...
Europe EPS contract prices rise triple digits for March, on styrene rise, supply chain volatility
LONDON (ICIS)--March contract prices in the European expandable polystyrene (EPS) market have settled with increases between €130-200/tonne, a midpoint increase of €165/tonne, higher than the...