Industry News
Chemical Industry News
US tariffs threat on EU cars ‘renewed strain’ on bilateral relations – Germany’s VDA
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--The US’ intention to raise tariffs on EU cars and trucks to 25% from 15% as early as this week would represent an “enormous cost” for consumers on both sides and represents a...
ConocoPhillips moves to extend Equatorial Guinea LNG lifespan
ConocoPhillips signed Punta Europa LNG tolling deal Will extend lifespan of the LNG export plant Equatorial Guinea to address declining gas reserves LONDON (ICIS)--A new agreement between US major...
BLOG: Oil and product prices set to be ‘higher for longer’ as Hormuz remains closed
LONDON (ICIS)--Click here to see the latest blog post on Chemicals & The Economy by Paul Hodges, which looks at the impact of sustained higher oil prices from the ongoing US-Iran war. Editor’s...
US military to guide vessels through Strait of Hormuz, but Iran vows resistance
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US President Donald Trump said over the weekend that US military will guide vessels out of the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran state media reported on Monday that...
INSIGHT: US polyurethanes might face higher costs after ITC ruling on Chinese MDI
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US polyurethane (PU) industry is entering a new phase of trade protection after the US International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a final determination on 1 May that Chinese...
GCC PP prices stable to firm as suppliers reveal initial May offers
DUBAI (ICIS)--Polypropylene (PP) prices in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market were stable to firmer during the week ending 1 May 2026 across both homopolymer and block co-polymer grades. PP...
PODCAST: Middle East war is worst crisis for chemicals since 1979
BARCELONA (ICIS)--The Iran war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered the worst crisis in the Middle East since the 1979 oil crisis, according to regional chemical producer and distributor...
US ITC declares Chinese MDI injury to US businesses
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a final affirmative injury determination against Chinese methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), the independent federal agency...
Europe styrene May contract extends climb at more-than-three-year high
LONDON (ICIS)--The European styrene May barge contract price was assessed at €1,947/tonne on 4 May, a €55/tonne increase from April. The May contract price was agreed on an FOB (free on board)...
Europe polyols demand outlook shaped by tight supply
LONDON (ICIS)--Overall polyols demand is subdued in Europe as downstream markets are moving slowly, although selective volume‑securing buying is providing some support, and the overall outlook...
European BD export prices soften; Asia downtrend continues
LONDON (ICIS)--European butadiene (BD) export spot prices are coming under increased pressure as the market heads into May, from continued losses in Asia. The market is wondering whether the Asia...
Europe MPG spot prices continue downward trajectory
LONDON (ICIS)--European monopropylene glycol (MPG) spot prices have declined at both ends of the range in the week ended 1 May. There were some lower prices heard, but this did not receive support...
Iran war jolts EU into action on chemical competitiveness
BARCELONA (ICIS)--Europe’s chemical industry is entering a new phase as the war in Iran continues to ripple through global energy and trade flows, forcing policymakers in Brussels to move faster on...
China PE exports to India rise marginally in March, volumes limited
MUMBAI (ICIS)--China’s polyethylene (PE) exports rose sharply in March 2026, but shipments to India remained limited as buyers showed restrained interest due to quality concerns and a mismatch in...
Plant status: Egyptian LAB puts maintenance/expansion plan on backburner
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Egyptian LAB (ELAB) Location: Alexandria, Egypt Product: Linear alkylbenzene (LAB) Capacity (tonnes/year): 120,000 Event start: NA Event finish:...
epiray is revolutionizing thin-film technology
The Max Planck startup epiray vaporizes substances using high-power lasers to create new materials in ultra-thin layers. This innovation forms the basis for further advancements in thin-film technology in fields such as quantum computing and
14 million used batteries from electric vehicles by 2040: Who will master the circular economy?
As global battery demand continues to surge, the number of end-of-life batteries from electric vehicles alone is expected to grow from 1.2 million in 2030 to 14 million by 2040. Battery circularity technologies enable the
A Solution to Alkene Alkylation
Chemists at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung have solved a decades-old synthetic puzzle, developing a practical, two-step method for the alkylation of alkenes via thianthrenation. The breakthrough, published today in the flagship journal Nature, simplifies the
US Chevron expects oil-linked LNG contracts to reflect market pricing after lag
Chevron says too early in Middle East conflict to consider changes LNG pricing reflective of current market conditions expected to filter through to oil-linked contracts after lag; spot cargoes...
Ecovyst acquiring Calabrian sulfur dioxide and derivatives business from INEOS Enterprises
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Ecovyst Inc., a leading provider of sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid products, announced it signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Calabrian sulfur dioxide and related sulfur...