Industry News
Chemical Industry News
US PE import offers add further weight on SE Asia discussions
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The emergence of polyethylene (PE) import offers from the US has added more competitive pressure on import prices in southeast (SE) Asia, fueling the already bearish market...
Italy’s carbon reimbursement scheme faces trade-off between EU approval and market impact
Ensuring limited impact on cross-border flows could improve chances that Italy’s carbon cost reimbursement plan for power producers wins EU approval - law firm But legal experts said key state aid...
Plant status: Taiwan’s FCFC to keep overall phenol/acetone run rate at 50% in H2 ’26
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Formosa Chemicals and Fibre Corporation (FCFC) Location: Mailiao, Taiwan Product: Phenol and acetone Capacity (tonnes/year): No 1: 220,000...
China base oils market undergoing structural transformation – Sinopec exec
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China's base oil market is undergoing a structural transformation driven by a rapid industrial shift toward high-end manufacturing and a decisive pivot toward premium product...
Change at TOPTICA Executive Board
Effective of October 1st, 2026, Dr. Frank Lison will succeed TOPTICA founder Dr. Wilhelm Kaenders as CTO/Vorstand of the TOPTICA Photonics group. Following the company’s long-term succession plan designed to ensure continuity in leadership and
Renewable hydrogen from Denmark for Europe
Hy2gen Nordic AS, a subsidiary of the global renewable hydrogen producer Hy2gen, is pleased to announce that its Albatros renewable hydrogen project has been selected for support under the European Hydrogen Bank (EHB), recognising the
China’s Sinopec to export Group II and Group III base oils in July
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s Sinopec plans to export Group II and Group III base oils from Yanshan Petrochemical, a company source said on the sidelines of the 18th ICIS Asia Base Oils and Lubricants...
Plant status: China’s CNOOC Taizhou to resume Group II base oils supply in July
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: CNOOC Oil & Gas Taizhou Petrochemical Location: Taizhou, Jiangsu, China Product: Group II, III base oils Capacity (tonnes/year): 340,000...
Oil markets entering era of persistent geopolitical risks – industry analyst
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The global oil market has entered an era of persistent geopolitical risk, where the weaponization of energy has become a permanent feature of the landscape, a senior industry...
Plant status: China’s Dongying Aoxing to resume Group II base oil spot supply from end June
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Dongying Aoxing Petrochemical Location: Dongying, Shandong, China Product: Group II base oils Capacity (tonnes/year): 200,000 Event start:...
China’s May NBA imports down 49% on month amid reduced imports from key sources
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s n-butanol (NBA) imports in May 2026 was 1,551 tonnes, down 69% year on year, amid ample domestic supply and tight overseas resources, data from the ICIS Supply and Demand...
POWTECH TECHNOPHARM 2026: Competitive advantages through cross-industry exchange
Between 29 September and 1 October 2026, POWTECH TECHNOPHARM will bring together experts from a wide range of process industries in Nuremberg and create the ideal conditions for knowledge-sharing and innovation. As the gateway to
From smart sensor patches to wireless charging: Science4Life honors the year’s most innovative startup teams
For the 28th time, the best business plans from the life sciences, chemistry, and energy sectors were recognized as part of the Science4Life Startup Competition. These are solutions that support patients in their daily lives,
BYK starts production of HEUR-based RHEOBYK additives in Germany
BYK has successfully begun producing its renowned HEUR-based RHEOBYK products in Germany. Production takes place at the Kempen facility, where BYK has invested extensively in recent years. This step shortens delivery times in Europe, enabling
Meet the researchers finding fulfilment in leadership and administration
When a research responsibilities expand into something with a wider impact
A warning for US science & wool’s chemical versatility
We discuss highlights from Marcia McNutt’s final address. Plus, what’s the chemistry behind the woolly sweaters keeping you warm?
Europe MEK pricing widens on muted demand
LONDON (ICIS)--European spot pricing for methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) has widened to €2,400-2,550/tonne FD (free delivered) NWE (northwest Europe), with the low end of spot pricing decreasing by...
PODCAST: Increasing polyols from China to Europe a key concern at industry conference
LONDON (ICIS)--Rising imports from China were a central theme highlighted by multiple market players on the sidelines of the annual EUROPUR and EURO-MOULDERS conference, held in Antwerp, Belgium, on...
ICIS Analyst View: The Hormuz wake-up call: Japan enters the nuclear fleet-renewal era but LNG remains essential
Key takeaways: METI's latest guidance is the first post-Fukushima policy document to quantify the scale of reactor replacement and rebuilding required to sustain nuclear power's role in Japan's...
Europe IPA pricing softens on continued weak demand
LONDON (ICIS)--European spot pricing for isopropanol (IPA) has decreased across technical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical grades. Technical grade IPA was assessed at €1,500-1,600/tonne FD (free...