Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Germany chemical industry flags concerns about freight rail prices
LONDON (ICIS)--Germany’s chemical industry is warning about a planned cut in subsidies to freight rail prices. The current federal government draft budget provides only €275 million for the...
A practical approach to energy could support EU competitiveness – GIE
EU energy policy must be less ideological in next five years, GIE conference hears Lowering high energy prices, which harm industry, a key goal for incoming Commission Commissioner confirmation...
Chinese government keeps tight rein on urea exports to keep local prices in check
LONDON (ICIS)--In China, urea exports were at 253,889 tonnes in January-September, down 91% from over 2.8 million tonnes in the same period of 2023 as government restriction continue, according to...
Global base oils exports to Africa rise in August
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Global base oils exports to key markets in Africa rose to a seven-month high in August on the back of a jump in shipments from the US. Total exports to Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa...
Capacities to remain vital to European gas security- stakeholders
Gas industry leaders expect gas to remain an important energy source to Europe for years, with infrastructure key to supply security Market experts attributed this to the fact that capacities provide...
Bulgarian coal could aid power exports to central and eastern Europe
Bulgarian Energy Holding is set to fund coal complex Mini Maritsa East Local coal plants could provide flexible generation, extra supply could be exported to Romania, Hungary Bulgaria to elect a new...
A high-pressure insight into the structure of water
The hydrogen-bonded network in liquid water resists compression; density increases instead arise from molecules moving into voids
Perseverance rover’s discovery of organics on Mars could be illusory
Hopes that compounds were sign of prebiotic chemistry or even ancient life may be result of instrument limitations
New method for measuring luminescence lifetime offers breakthrough in scientific imaging
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Leibniz-Institute for Baltic Sea Research and University of Copenhagen introduce an innovative approach to image luminescence lifetimes. This simple approach uses readily-available cost-effective equipm...
Mechanism of Cobalt-Manganese Catalysts Deciphered
The energy carrier hydrogen can be obtained from water by electrolysis. This works particularly well with Cobalt spinel electrocatalysts containing manganese. However, it was unclear why. Conventional catalysts for hydrogen production via water electrolysis usually
Are trees the future for the production of industrial chemicals?
Trees are the most abundant natural resource living on Earth’s land masses, and North Carolina State University scientists and engineers are making headway in finding ways to use them as sustainable, environmentally benign alternatives to
Researchers unlock the “silicate magic” for safer, cheaper, and more efficient batteries
The world is rapidly transitioning to renewable power, but there are shortcomings. Solar power falls at night, and wind power recedes and ascends irregularly. New technologies need to be developed that can store energy from
Effects of chemical mixtures: Neurotoxic effects add up
Chemicals are omnipresent today: they enter our bodies through food, air or the skin. But how do these complex mixtures of chemicals affect our health? In a study published in the journal Science, a research
US PET annual contract discussions stall amid flat demand
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Annual US polyethylene terephthalate (PET) contracts have yet to settle, as price discussions are at a stalemate. Separate nominations have emerged at increases of several cents per...
US corn harvest has reached 65% with soybeans 81% completed
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US corn harvesting has reached 65% with soybeans 81% completed, according to the latest US Department of Agriculture (USDA) weekly crop progress report. With warmer weather prevailing...
Fertilizer producer Nutrien has restarted Florida phosphate facility
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Affected by tropical weather impacts in late September, Canadian fertilizer major Nutrien confirmed its Florida phosphate facility in White Springs did restart late last week. While...
US PET destocking season to keep demand low through Q4
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US polyethylene terephthalate (PET) demand is expected to be low through the remainder of Q4 and into the first quarter of 2025 due to the market's destocking period, according to...
Start up of Stepan’s Pasadena, Texas alkoxylation site unlikely to disrupt US EO supply
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Stepan's Pasadena, Texas, alkoxylation site is nearing completion, and is expected to start up in Q4, according to market participants. However, the site start up is not expected to...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude prices edge higher on brightening China demand hopes
China cut key lending rates in an attempt to shore up economic performance However, poor Q2 Chinese demand growth capped gains Stronger US dollar index weighed on oil prices in afternoon trading...
Europe MEG spot prices stable to soft on improved supply; DEG spot prices steady
LONDON (ICIS)--European monoethylene glycol (MEG) supply remains ample and spot prices were stable to soft while diethylene glycol (DEG) spot prices held steady in the week ending 18 October. MEG...