Industry News
Chemical Industry News
US November trade deficit jumps up as imports rise, exports fall
HOUSTON (ICIS)--After shrinking in October, the US goods and services deficit rose 94.6% month on month to $56.8 billion in November, the US Census Bureau reported on Thursday. Imports rose 5.0% to...
Indonesia’s Pupuk awards max-150,000 tonne potash import tender
LONDON (ICIS)--Indonesian holding group Pupuk has awarded a purchase tender that first closed 8 January for approximately 145,000-150,000 tonnes of muriate of potash (MOP) fertilizer: Delivery month...
Dow greenlights Path2Zero cracker project after delay, Phase 1 start-up for end-2029
NEW YORK (ICIS)--Dow will proceed with its Path2Zero integrated cracker and polyethylene (PE) project in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada after a delay, pushing back the Phase 1 start-up by two...
European jet finds floor as upstream strength offsets seasonal demand lull
LONDON (ICIS)--European jet fuel markets have undergone a sharp correction as the industry moves into the seasonal aviation slowdown, although values are beginning to stabilize on the back of firm...
In 2023, the UK was the first country to approve a Crispr therapy. How’s it doing?
Disconnect exists between the media hype around gene-editing treatment and the reality for patients
Europe isocyanates consumption off to a slow start in 2026
LONDON (ICIS)--Demand across isocyanate products has started 2026 on a subdued footing, with forecasts pointing to broadly stable conditions into the following month. Foam imports pressure European...
Crispr therapies will change medicine but there will be challenges along the way
The first treatments making use of Crispr gene editing may suffer some early hiccups
Sherwin-Williams expects demand softness to persist into H2
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US paint and coatings producer Sherwin-Williams expects weak demand to continue into the second half of 2026, CEO Heidi Petz said on Thursday. “We enter 2026 with a continuation of...
Brazil’s central bank holds rates at 15% but signals March start to cutting cycle
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazil's central bank held its benchmark Selic rate at 15% as widely expected but signaled it will begin cutting interest rates in March, marking a dovish shift that analysts said...
Europe January capro contract prices rise
LONDON (ICIS)--European caprolactam (capro) contract prices for January have settled at increases in various magnitudes from December. Monthly caprolactam NWE (northwest Europe) net contract FD...
Economic confidence grows in Europe in January
LONDON (ICIS)--Economic sentiment in the EU strengthened in January, with confidence improving across most sectors, according to European Commission data on Thursday. The EU’s Economic Sentiment...
Europe acrylate ester January contracts settle at rollovers amid subdued start to 2026
LONDON (ICIS)--European acrylate esters freely negotiated contracts for January have settled at rollovers. Demand has largely been weaker than expected for the month, although there have been some...
Dow launches new $2 billion cost savings, growth program
NEW YORK (ICIS)--Dow is launching an initiative targeting at least $2 billion in operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) improvement from cost savings, as...
Abigail Mortimer’s career in glassblowing
Since starting as a trainee 17 years ago, her collaborative creations have underpinned teaching and research at the University of York’s chemistry department
Chemical plant closures rate surges six-fold in Europe since 2022
A new report shows that chemical plant closures in Europe, has surged sixfold since 2022, reaching a cumulative 37 Mt of capacity – or around 9% of European production capacity – and resulting in the
X-ray view into chemical reactions
Researchers at the University of Hamburg, the University of Toulouse, and the DESY and ESRF research institutes have observed for the first time in real time how iron-sulfur nanostructures form in solutions. Using time-resolved X-ray
Three chemical companies promote cecarbonization of ethylene production in western Japan
Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical have explored measures to promote decarbonization and optimize production capacity for their two ethylene manufacturing facilities in western Japan. To achieve these goals, the three companies applied for
Innovations sought for life sciences and process industry
For the fifth time, innovative scientists and founders can apply for the ACHEMA Founder Award. We are looking for the best solutions, technologies and business models for life sciences and the process industry. Up to
Canada’s central bank holds key rate stable, cites USMCA uncertainty
TORONTO (ICIS)--Canada’s central bank is keeping its target for the overnight lending rate unchanged at 2.25%, where it has been sitting since October. The upcoming review and renegotiation of the...
Europe PA flake spot prices edge down; liquid stable
LONDON (ICIS)--European PA (phthalic anhydride) flake spot prices decreased slightly in the week ending January 23 following lower offers reported in the market and against a backdrop of highly...