Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Biesterfeld Acquires Majority Stake In OSP
Biesterfeld has acquired a majority stake in South Korean company OSP, a leading distributor of specialty chemicals and polymers for industrial applications. Founder D. W. Kim will remain actively involved as a joint venture partner.
Industrial breakthrough for next generation natural polymers
Hamburg-based materials pioneer traceless® has created the world’s first industrial production facilities for a next-generation natural polymer technology. The goal is to combat global plastic pollution, end dependence on fossil raw materials, and build a
Sunfire to Build Electrolysis Test Facility at BASF Site in Schwarzheide
Industriepark Lausitz in Schwarzheide continues its growth trajectory with Sunfire joining the site as a new innovation-driven partner. The Dresden-based hydrogen company will build a test facility at the industrial park to further validate its
LanzaTech Selects North Sea Port, Ghent as Site for Europe’s First Commercial Alcohol-to-Jet SAF Facility
North Sea Port announced that LanzaTech Global, Inc., a member of the FLITE (Fuel via Low carbon Integrated Technology from Ethanol) consortium, has selected North Sea Port, Ghent, Belgium as the permanent site for what
INSIGHT: Most Asian petrochemical prices to fall in May after two-month spike
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s chemical markets face downward pressure in May following a two-month price spike as market focus is shifting from supply concerns to demand recovery. China export volumes...
Singapore Apr petrochemical exports fall 24.5%; NODX grows 24.5%
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Singapore's petrochemical exports in April fell 24.5% year on year to Singapore dollar (S$) 848.9 million ($662.6 million), official data from Enterprise Singapore showed on Monday....
China’s average run rate of PO plants falls to 64.2% on operational cuts
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s propylene oxide (PO) plants posted an average run rate at 64.2% in the week ended 15 May 2026, down by 2.5 percentage points from the last reporting period, ICIS data...
China’s ZYPEEK plans new PEEK project in Jiangsu
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s ZYPEEK is planning to invest yuan (CNY) 1.2 billion to install a 10,000 tonne/year polyether ether ketone (PEEK) project at Zhangjiagang in Jiangsu province, the company...
China’s Hengyi plans recycled polyester and fibre project in Hubei
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s Hengyi Petrochemical is planning to construct a 300,000 tonne/year recycled new materials project at Jingzhou in Hubei province, the company said in a stock exchange...
China BPA average plant run rate inches down to 70.2% on operational cuts
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The average run rate of China’s bisphenol A (BPA) plants was at around 70.2% in the week ended 15 May 2026, down by one percentage point from the last reporting period, ICIS data...
Oil rises more than $2/bbl on Trump’s fresh threats to Iran
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Oil prices jumped by more than $2/barrel in early Monday trade following fresh threats from US President Donald Trump aimed at forcing a deal with Iran to reopen the strategic...
No buying frenzy in Asia naphtha market despite temporary supply rise
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Slow petrochemical demand at a time of more naphtha supplies coming to Asia could prompt regional buyers of the feedstock to be extra vigilant for the time being. May-arriving...
Australia LNG labour disputes raise concerns over northeast Asia supply
Ichthys strike threat raises Asian LNG supply concerns El Niño concerns revive Asian spot LNG interest Australian LNG labour tensions deepen before summer SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Australia’s LNG sector...
Spring needs covered and the decrease in the price surge, favours an AS outlook for lighter activity, more easing of values
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Now that spring commitments have been fulfilled and the recent surge in fertilizer prices has decreased, the outlook for ammonium sulphate (AS) favours activity levels trend lighter...
Asia-US container rates continue rising on fuel, peak season surcharges; tanker rates ease
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Rates for shipping containers from east Asia and China to the US rose again this week as carriers are implementing peak season and fuel surcharges, while rates for liquid chemical...
Trinseo may file for US bankruptcy by 25 May
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US-based engineered materials and styrenics producer Trinseo could file for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 by 25 May and emerge in a couple of months, the company said in its...
Mexico’s industrial slump, debt rating downgrade cast shadow over outlook; autos rare bright spot
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Mexico's chemical and plastics sectors contracted sharply in Q1 2026, year on year, according to statistics office Inegi and adding to a woeful industrial picture. Chemicals,...
NYMEX: US gas futures gain on above-normal temperatures and lower gas production
Front-month US natural gas futures rose on 15 May on widespread warmer weather The June 2026 Henry Hub contract on NYMEX settled at $2.96/MMBtu, up more than 2% from the previous session The US...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices set for weekly rally as Iran reportedly prepared to resume fighting
China-US talks this week cordial but insubstantial Optimism for end to Hormuz blockade fading despite 30 vessels traversing waterway this week US oil rig count up by five to 415 - Baker Hughes LONDON...
Brazil’s plastics distributor Place Resinas distances itself from ‘Operation Refuse’ fraud probe
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazilian plastic distributor Place Resinas said it had cooperated fully with authorities during this week's Operation Refuse raid but was not among the three business groups at the...