Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Asahi to delay startup of Canada EV battery materials project, cites slow EV market
TORONTO (ICIS)--While construction of Asahi Kasei’s new lithium-ion battery separator plant in Canada is advancing on schedule, startup will likely be delayed, with full operations now expected...
Plant status: China’s Wanhua to shut Penglai PDH, PO plants for maintenance
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Wanhua Chemical Location: Penglai, Shandong, China Product: Propylene, propylene oxide Capacity (tonnes/year): 900,000 (PDH), 600,000 (PO) Event...
CHINAPLAS ’26: INSIGHT: China PP players react amid energy crisis
SHANGHAI (ICIS)--The conflict in the Middle East has lasted for nearly two months. As a result, global PP prices have soared, and some markets are facing reduced imports, feedstock shortages etc. The...
GAS ALERT: ICIS TTF Q3′ 26 premium to Q1’27 rises by over 0.5/MWh on day on 21 April, potentially driven by storage hedging
By Ethan Tillcock and Brendan A'Hearn LONDON (ICIS)--ICIS assessed that the TTF Q3 ’26 premium to Q1 ‘27 widened by €0.563/MWh from 20-21 April to €1.475/MWh. The movement suggests...
Europe base oils export prices jump as limited availability persists
LONDON (ICIS)--European base oils export spot prices increased significantly this week amid supply shortages combined with ongoing pressure from gasoil (diesel) values. All grades rose by $200/tonne,...
China’s comprehensive new chemical safety law due to take effect
The new rule, coming into force in May, bolsters risk management and tightens requirements for chemical production, storage, use and transport
Industrial emissions of feedstock chemicals are hindering recovery of ozone layer
Emissions of certain ozone-depleting chemicals could delay the ozone layer’s recovery by six to 11 years
Tire abrasion accounts for a third of marine plastic: researchers and start-up develop solutions to combat microplastics
Small particles, big job: microplastics float in the air, float in the oceans and can even be found in drinking water. The plastic particles are smaller than five millimetres, hardly degradable and are considered dangerous
Mind the gap! Semiconductor industry is relying on the wrong materials
2D materials are widely seen as a promising path toward better computer chips. Researchers at TU Wien now show: some of these materials are unsuitable due to an underestimated effect. But there are alternatives. The
From lab to industry: 3D printing accelerates the future of lithium batteries
Recent progress in advanced energy manufacturing has opened a new path for lithium battery design. A joint research team led by Associate Professor Eric Jianfeng Cheng of Tohoku University has published a major review in
Pakistan’s LNG-fired generation slumps on supply disruption
LNG power generation falls sharply in March Load shedding reported nationwide Summer supply recovery uncertain SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Pakistan’s LNG-to-power output fell sharply in March and accelerated...
US will extend ceasefire while maintaining blockade
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his country will withhold attacks on Iran for an unspecified time while maintaining its blockade as a deadline for a two-week ceasefire...
NYMEX: US gas futures edge up on combination of bullish fundamentals
Front-month US natural gas futures gained on 21 April on a below-normal temperature outlook, increased LNG feedgas demand, and lower gas production The May 2026 Henry Hub contract on NYMEX settled at...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Increasing trading uncertainty as volatility drives crude market
Oil prices sway as market players mull over possible Iran-US peace talks Waiver allowing Russian seaborne oil imports shifting market dynamics Russia to halt crude oil exports to Germany via Druzhba...
Transits through the Strait of Hormuz should be avoided – Maersk
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Global container shipping major Maersk is advising customers that all transits through the Strait of Hormuz should be avoided as the situation in the region remains volatile. In a...
EU April epoxy climb on ME war cost impacts; import supply risk
LONDON (ICIS)--Europe epoxy resins prices have jumped by triple digits in April, due to the Middle East war induced surge in production costs and import supply chain concerns from Asia. Prices in...
US pending homes sales rise 1.5% month on month in March, despite higher mortgage rates
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US pending homes sales rose 1.5% month on month in March, following a 1.8% increase in February, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported on Tuesday. In March, pending home...
ICIS GRAPHIC: Global base oils bullish reaction to the ME war and what to expect next
LONDON(ICIS)--Global base oils are braced for a lengthy recovery amid key challenges following a consistent bullish trend in the aftermath of the Middle East war. Drone attacks, high diesel...
Fidelity Shipping LNG steamer quartet resurfaces under Russian flag
Fidelity Shipping steam turbine vessel quartet under Russian flag Ownership obscured to likely hide ultimate ownership Reflagging suggests vessels may enter Russian LNG fleet LONDON (ICIS)--Four...
MARGINS: Europe PE margins firm amid softer naphtha and LPG costs
LONDON (ICIS)--Margins at polyethylene (PE) plants in Europe rose week on week on the back of softer feedstock costs, ICIS Margin Analysis showed on Tuesday. The margins increase for both liquefied...