Industry News
Chemical Industry News
China BPA average plant run rate falls to 64.1% on plant shutdowns
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The average run rate of China’s bisphenol A (BPA) plants was at around 64.1% in the week ended 22 May 2026, down by 6.1 percentage points from the last reporting period, ICIS data...
China melamine Apr exports down 15% vs Mar as demand cools on high prices
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China's melamine exports fell by 15% month on month in April to 61,981 tonnes. According to ICIS data, China's export prices had been on an uptrend through March amid a global...
Brent crude falls below $100/barrel on US-Iran deal hopes
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Oil prices slumped by more than 5% in early trade on Monday on optimism that the US and Iran were nearing a peace deal even as the two nations remained at odds over key
Canada LNG gains in South Korea as nuclear delays lift summer risk
Canada gains as Middle East supply falls Weak imports temper demand-growth claims Nuclear delays add summer upside risk SINGAPORE (ICIS)-South Korea’s recent LNG fundamentals are increasingly...
Asia’s 2-EH demand to remain slow on economic uncertainties
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) demand is expected to stay slow in the short haul as rising inflation, coupled with expectations of high export volumes from China, will prompt buyers...
China April BG, BDG imports dip 53.4% vs March on logistics, feedstock woes
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China's imports of butyl glycol (BG) and butyl diglycol (BDG) fell by 53.4% month on month in April to approximately 7,868 tonnes, according to official customs data. The sharp...
Japan’s ENEOS nominates Jun benzene contract at $1,150/tonne
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Japan’s ENEOS Corp has nominated its June Asia contract price (ACP) for benzene at $1,150/tonne, a company source said. The nomination is higher than the May ACP at $1,130/tonne....
Europe PS May prices increase, mainly driven by styrene
LONDON (ICIS)--May contract prices have increased €50/tonne in the European polystyrene (PS) market, mainly driven by the €55/tonne increase for upstream styrene amid current market trends....
Europe EPS May contract prices increase €50/tonne
LONDON (ICIS)--May contract prices have increased €50/tonne in the European expandable polystyrene (EPS) market, mainly driven by the €55/tonne increase for upstream styrene amid low demand....
US UAN demand expected to lift as secondary fertilizing accelerates
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Initial fertilizing for the US spring crops is either completed or quickly nearing its end run, but with secondary application now gaining momentum, stronger demand for urea ammonium...
Europe ABS contract prices increase for May
LONDON (ICIS)--Contract prices have increased €50-100/tonne for May in the Europe acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) market, a midpoint increase of €75/tonne, driven by feedstock price...
Asia-US container rates mostly higher on Iran war stalemate; tanker rates edge lower
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Rates for shipping containers from east Asia and China to the US rose again this week and are now up by about $1,000/FEU (40-foot equivalent unit) since the start of the Iran war, and...
Trinseo’s imminent bankruptcy comes as more chems face financial pressure
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Trinseo is expected to file for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 by Monday at a time when more chemical companies are contending with increasing financial pressure. Trinseo has...
NYMEX: US gas futures lower as cooling demand eases
Front-month US natural gas futures decreased on 22 May on cooler weather expectations into early June The June 2026 Henry Hub contract on NYMEX settled at $2.907 /MMBtu, down nearly 3.7% from the...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude benchmarks down on the week as slow US-Iran peace talks progress caps prices
US-Iran talks breakthrough looking unlikely as Iranian nuclear policy remains sticking point Tehran’s plans for tolling system through Strait of Hormuz proving difficult for US negotiators to...
Europe BPA spot softens, amid elusive demand; Asia easing
LONDON (ICIS)--Europe bisphenol A (BPA) spot prices have edged lower this week in a slow market and in view of softer price indications for fresh Asian cargoes. Prices of €1,850/tonne were no...
Intra-Europe chemical tanker spot rates edge down
LONDON (ICIS)--Intra-Europe chemical tanker spot freight rates edged down in the week ending 22 May, largely on account of lower bunker prices which tend to be reflected in spot freight rates sooner...
Europe styrene May weighted average snaps five-month uptrend
LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe styrene monthly weighted average spot price has been assessed lower in May, snapping a five-month uptrend. The May weighted average was assessed at $1,596/tonne, down by...
Canada chemical producer prices rise at record pace in April
TORONTO (ICIS)--Chemical producer prices in Canada rose 7.3% month on month in April on the back of the high prices for energy and petroleum products because of the shipping disruptions in the Strait...
European acetone truck spot price down as buyers lose interest
LONDON (ICIS)--Acetone truck spot prices decreased once again this week as increased supply weighed on offer levels and buyers stepped away from the market. Higher domestic production and import...