Industry News
Chemical Industry News
NYMEX: US gas futures down on weaker LNG feedgas demand
Front-month US natural gas prices closed slightly lower on 8 May, reversing early session gains as short-term feedgas dips balanced medium-term demand outlooks for influence over the market The June...
CF Industries sees global nitrogen supply demand balance remaining tighter than expected
HOUSTON (ICIS)--CF Industries said in its latest nitrogen fertilizer market outlook that the supply and demand balance was already tight as 2026 began but the Middle East conflict propelled the...
Asia-US container rates rise, up 40-50% since start of Middle East war; tanker rates steady
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Rates for shipping containers from east Asia and China rose this week and are now up by 40-50% since the start of the war in the Middle East, while liquid chemical tanker rates held...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude prices choppy after week of heavy losses
US and Iran clash despite apparent peace talks progress this week Ukraine and Russia continue to exchange strikes despite Moscow’s call for May Day detente US labor market data shows steady jobs...
Germany output falls in March, but production of intermediate goods, chemicals rises
LONDON (ICIS)--German production from industry, construction and energy fell 0.7% month on month in March, according to statistical data released on Friday. Industrial production (excluding...
Plant status: Olin eyes mid-May VCM restart from unplanned outage
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Olin Location: Freeport, Texas state, US Product: Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) Capacity: 835,000 tonnes/year Event start: Unknown Event finish: 15...
US consumer sentiment continues to fall on concerns about prices, incomes
HOUSTON (ICIS)--After falling in April, US consumer sentiment continued to decline in May on concerns about high prices and lower incomes, the University of Michigan said in its preliminary May...
PCC Group suspends US chloralkali project
HOUSTON (ICIS)--PCC Group suspended its plans to build a new chloralkali plant on Chemours's pigment site in Mississippi state after the company signed a chlorine supply agreement with a different...
Caustic soda supplies tighten on Asian ethylene curtailments – Olin
HOUSTON (ICIS)-- Asian ethylene production curtailments and force majeure declarations have created a chain reaction leading to reduced production of vinyls feedstock and chlor-alkalis, which...
Sulphur prices to stay higher for longer – AdvanSix CEO
HOUSTON (ICIS)--AdvanSix expects sulphur prices to stay “a bit higher for longer” amid the current supply constraints in the wake of the unresolved Middle East conflict. Sulphur is an important...
African and Turkish polyolefins see mixed prices amid supply ramp-ups in Middle East while high costs, port congestions remain
LONDON( ICIS)-- African and Turkish polyolefins market saw a more mixed picture this week as the downtrend that started two-three weeks ago in both markets was stabilising on the polyethylene (PE)...
European acetone truck spot prices continue to erode as supply grows
LONDON (ICIS)--European acetone spot truck prices dropped again this week. Supply has increased on the domestic and import side in recent weeks. A wide range of prices has continuously been noted...
Greece’s Dioriga Gas gives update on LNG terminal plans after three years
Dioriga Gas gives first update on FSRU plans in three years Timeline for project remains unclear and capacities may have changed Connection agreement with TSO has now expired LONDON (ICIS)--Greek LNG...
ACER calls for more targeted monitoring of suspicious market activity after volume of reports doubles in 2025
ACER calls for more targeted reporting of potential market-manipulation Reports of suspicious activity doubled in 2025 amid use of broad monitoring tools But rising in reports does not imply...
Sweden pauses renewal plans for its Konti-Skan interconnectors with Denmark amid EU dispute
Sweden has suspended renewal plans for two Konti-Skan interconnectors linking Sweden and Denmark, amid disagreements with EU over congestion revenues Possibility of missing interconnector capacity by...
Romanian nuclear outages could drive more gas into power mix but RES limits upside
Unplanned outage at Cernavoda unit 2 could leave more room for gas in mix Compounded by loss of other regional nuclear output for planned maintenance Strong RES output and gas maintenance limits...
British NBP gas prompt support expected to continue in week 20
LONDON (ICIS)--ICIS assessed the British NBP Day-ahead product at a premium to the Winter ’26 contract on 6 May for the first time since early April. NBP prompt prices have been supported by a...
Europe methanol spot prices rebound to record highs, Hormuz blockade drives bullish trend
LONDON (ICIS)--European methanol spot prices rebounded with a 4% increase based on the ICIS mid-point, reaching a new record high. Spot prices were valued at €540-545/tonne FOB (free on board)...
Germany’s new heating draft law targets 60% share of climate-friendly fuels by 2040, likely to boost biomethane demand
Germany draft Building Modernization Act (GMG) set 60% share target of climate-friendly fuels in new heating systems by 2040 The targets will likely drive demand for biomethane in the long term The...
INSIGHT: Pequiven unit Monomeros eyes US market after license renewal as Venezuela walks normalization tightrope
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Fertilizers producer Monomeros Colombo Venezolanos says it stands to benefit from renewed access to US markets after Washington extended its sanctions license for the group, a...