Industry News
Chemical Industry News
CHINAPLAS ’26: China’s PVC inventories depleting more slowly than expected
SHANGHAI (ICIS)--China's polyvinyl chloride (PVC) inventories remain high at around 1.3 million tonnes currently, according to market players at the sidelines of the 38th International Exhibition on...
Germany industrial production to stagnate in 2026 – trade group
LONDON (ICIS)--Instead of a hoped-for recovery, German industrial production will stagnate this year and may even decline, according to the latest forecast by the country’s top industrial trade...
CHINAPLAS ’26: Export sales remain a priority for China’s PVC producers
SHANGHAI (ICIS)--Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) exports from China is expected to remain elevated for the near term, as producers in the country continue to fill in the regional supply shortfall, market...
US producer EQT unlikely to take on short-term LNG exposure, plans for Q2 curtailments
Current elevated prices limiting short-term opportunity to gain exposure to global LNG market Limited US gas futures outlook could lead to additional production cuts in fall EQT to offer variety of...
Buying activity drops on European refinery solvents market; truck prices mixed
LONDON (ICIS)--Average European refinery solvents truck prices were mixed this week, with solvent naphtha (C9) numbers seeing a decrease in pricing based on lower demand, while average white spirit...
INSIGHT: Brazil PET bale price hikes could stall rPET demand recovery
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Feedstock price increases in Brazil’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) market are raising concerns among end‑buyers and recyclers, as rPET’s current cost appeal...
Ukraine under pressure to liberalize gas, electricity markets amid funding constraints EU accession goals
Ukraine to publish energy market reform roadmap by end of Q2 Public service obligation creates financial burden for Naftogaz Vulnerable consumers and compensation mechanism need to be defined LONDON...
Italian PSV front quarter premium to TTF widens on year amid supply risks
PSV Q3 '26 contracts widening premium over TTF Outages and uncertainties about Middle East conflict likely to support prices Possible risk of tight supply in the summer in case of high cooling demand...
India’s IPL issues awards to import 2.5 million tonnes of urea
LONDON (ICIS)--In India, urea purchases under the latest import tender have touched 2.5 million tonnes despite shipments from the Middle East being severely curtailed for nearly eight weeks since the...
L&T Energy GreenTech signs long-term green ammonia partnership with Japan’s ITOCHU
LONDON (ICIS)--L&T Energy GreenTech Ltd (LTEGL) has signed a long-term partnership with ITOCHU Corporation of Japan for the supply of green ammonia. LTEGL will supply ITOCHU, on a captive...
CHINAPLAS ’26: Plant status: China’s Sanfame runs PET units at less than 80%
SHANGHAI (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Sanfame Group Location: Jiangyin, China Product: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Capacity (tonnes/year): 5.1 million Event start: H2 Apr 2026...
Middle East damage, feedstock constraints to extend petchem supply recovery and tightness – analyst
NEW YORK (ICIS)--Significant damage to Middle East petrochemical facilities and the continuing constraints on naphtha and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) feedstock supply from the Strait of Hormuz will...
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