Industry News
Chemical Industry News
China’s May methanol imports down 38.5% from Apr on Strait of Hormuz disruption
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s methanol imports in May reached 345,926 tonnes, down by around 38.5% month on month and down by 73.2% year on year, according to the ICIS Supply & Demand Database,...
East China benzene inventories decline on limited arrivals
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Benzene inventories at shore tanks along eastern China decreased to 92,500 tonnes on 23 June, according to ICIS data, amid a lack of cargo arrivals. Inventories at local ports were...
Artificial intelligence evaluates chemical spectra in minutes
Determining which substance has actually been produced in a test tube or flask is one of the central tasks of chemistry. Particularly in the case of complex or novel compounds, however, this can be extremely
Westlake expands global chlorovinyls manufacturing capacity with acquisition of PVC and VCM plants in Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Westlake Corporation announced that its German subsidiary, Westlake Vinnolit GmbH & Co. KG, has completed the previously-announced acquisition of a polyvinyl chloride and vinyl chloride monomer production site located in Wilhelmshaven, Germany (the “Wilhelmshaven plant”).
Materials In Works: From ISC3 Start-up of the Month to a Pioneer in Circular Raw Materials From Label WasteS
In recognition of its contribution to Sustainable Chemistry, Materials In Works (MIW), winner of the ‘Best Regional Impact’ award at the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2022, was named Start-up of the Month by the International Sustainable
Plant status: China’s Wanhua Fujian shuts MDI plant for maintenance in June
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Wanhua Chemical Location: Fujian, China Product: Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) Capacity (tonnes/year): 800,000 (combined nameplate...
Plant status: China’s Shandong Huatai Group shuts its PO plant for maintenance
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Shandong Huatai Group Location: Shandong, China Product: Propylene oxide (PO) Capacity (tonnes/year): 80,000 Event start: Around 22 June 2026...
S Korea MX export prices slip on upstream losses, H2 Jul-Aug intermonth spread flat
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Export prices for South Korea-origin isomer-grade mixed xylenes (MX) edged lower on 22 June from the last assessed prices on 19 June, pressured by weak downstream demand and...
China May PP exports down from Apr on declining buying appetite
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s polypropylene (PP) exports in May rose year on year but fell month on month, on weaker buying interest. Overseas buying appetite softened as buyers had stocks on hand. The...
Handuk Chemicals begins construction of Pyeongtaek TMAH plant
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Handuk Chemicals, a 50-50 joint venture between Japan’s Tokuyama and South Korea’s Lotte Chemical, has begun construction of a tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) facility in...
China May PP imports continue falling amid Mideast conflict
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s polypropylene (PP) imports continued falling in May amid the Middle East conflict. Supply disruptions in overseas markets continued weighing on imports. While the imports...
China’s May MEG imports down by 43.7% amid Strait of Hormuz disruption
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--China’s monoethylene glycol (MEG) imports in May fell by 43.7% month on month to 199,897 tonnes, according to the ICIS Supply & Demand Database, as shipments from the Middle...
Bintan Fine Chemical Indonesia’s new refining, cracking project underway
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Indonesia's Bintan Fine Chemical announced new refining and ethane-to-ethylene capacities for Indonesia to come on stream over the next few years. Speaking at the 29th ICIS and...
Plant status: China’s Shandong Befar keeps ECH lines shut on struggling margins
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Shandong Befar Group Location: Binzhou, Shandong, China Product: Epichlorohydrin (ECH) Capacity (tonnes/year): 75,000 (3 lines of 25,000 each)...
Start-ups in Europe: Significant Potential Remains Untapped
In France, Germany and the United Kingdom, substantial growth potential remains untapped. A ZEW policy brief examines where start-ups are founded, and which regions perform best in terms of using this potential. Drawing on data
Minbos Resources signs Phase 2 construction contract for Angola phosphate plant
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Australian fertilizer firm Minbos Resources has signed a $13.8 million Phase 2 construction contract for the Cabinda Phosphate Fertilizer Plant (CPFP) with Grupo Arliz. The company...
MOVES: Minbos Resources appoints Newbold as CEO
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Australian fertilizer firm Minbos Resources has appointed Rob Newbold as CEO, effective 18 June, after having served the company as Acting CEO since February 2026. Minbos Resources...
US crop plantings concluded with corn 97% emerged, soybeans at 93%
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Crop plantings are concluded with corn now 97% emerged and soybeans at 93%, according to the latest US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Crop Progress Report. The rate of corn...
Colombia’s industry groups call for unity as De la Espriella claims razor-thin election victory
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Colombia's leading business association ANDI called for national unity and respect for the country's electoral institutions on Sunday as far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella...
Petrobras, Pemex to sign cooperation deal as Brazil-Mexico energy ties deepen
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazil's Petrobras and Mexico's Pemex will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday for strategic and technical cooperation in exploration and production projects and...