Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Earlier unplanned outages contributing to tight US MEG, DEG supply in Q4
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US monoethylene glycol (MEG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) spot availability is expected to remain snug through Q4, while concerns are growing for triethylene glycol (TEG) supply as...
Snug ammonia supply continues with global demand remaining low
LONDON (ICIS)--Tight availability is expected to affect the ammonia market in the short term due to scheduled maintenance in Saudi Arabia and Algeria. Snug supply to continue in the short term Indian...
Trinidad ammonia production down in January-July on natural gas cuts
LONDON (ICIS)--Trinidad’s ammonia production dropped 5% to 2.28 million tonnes in January-July 2024 year on year, according to data released by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI)....
FBMC WEEKLY: Low wind power output to support spot prices
LONDON (ICIS)-- Below average wind across Europe and low precipitation levels in the Balkans could add support to spot prices in the flow-based market coupling (FBMC) region through week 43. Wind...
European Q4 caustic soda discussions centre on double-to-triple-digit increases
LONDON (ICIS)--European caustic soda producers and buyers are negotiating contracts for the fourth quarter of 2024, with producers separately aiming for price increases to address weak and...
Europe toluene consumption shows no signs of improvement
LONDON (ICIS)--Requirements for bulk volumes of toluene in the European market remain limited from various uses. Demand from major downstream chemicals remains subdued. Consumption for...
US Mosaic provides further update on Riverview facility after Milton landfall
LONDON (ICIS)--US fertilizer producer Mosaic has provided a further update on the combined impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton on the company’s phosphate operations. Mosaic stated that its...
Six EU Hydrogen Bank projects sign contracts, potential for sub €3/kg RFNBO
Iberia holds four of six projects ICIS data shows product costs could drop to sub €3/kg with subsidy Projects must commence operations in five years LONDON (ICIS)--On 7 October the European...
Updated Romanian NECP to boost country’s export position
Romania published its updated NECP plan New generation capacity will be bearish driver for prices, support the country’s renewable goals First gas volumes from local Neptune Deep field to be...
Europe MX demand from downstream chemicals constrained despite positive spreads
LONDON (ICIS)--Mixed xylenes (MX) consumption for bulk volumes from different downstream chemicals remains lethargic due to lower demand down the value chains, despite positive price spreads with the...
Americas/EMEA base oils supply outlook: Week of 21 Oct
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--US base oils prices hold steadier vs feedstock/competing fuel prices. Base oils margins stay sharply lower than in September 2024 and lower than year-earlier levels, when margins...
European PVC export prices rise, asTurkish availability tightens
LONDON (ICIS)--European polyvinyl chloride (PVC) spot was stable to firm in the week ending 18 October, as lower availability in Turkey put upward pressure on export prices. FOB (free on board)...
Ukraine, Hungary extend increased firm capacity into Q1 ’25
LONDON (ICIS)--Higher firm export capacity from Hungary into Ukraine will remain in place in the first quarter of 2025 to facilitate the use of Ukrainian gas storage sites. According to a statement...
Americas/EMEA base oils demand outlook: Week of 21 Oct
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--US base oils demand likely to stay muted as buyers focus on working down feedstock and finished lube inventories over coming weeks. Prospect of sufficient supply, and ongoing fall...
European caustic soda spot prices stable to firm as Mediterranean remains tight
LONDON (ICIS)--European caustic soda spot prices were stable to firm in the week ending 18 October, as availability in the Mediterranean and higher recent FOB (free on board) business pushed the...
Global base oils margins outlook: Week of 21 Oct
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Global base oils prices rise vs feedstock/competing fuel prices. Speed of recovery in margins differs in different markets. Differing speed of recovery suggests recent steep drop in...
Mexico July PS imports up 19% month on month
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Imports of polystyrene (PS) into Mexico rose by 19% in July month on month, totaling 23,230 tonnes, according to the latest figures from the ICIS Supply and Demand database. After...
German chlor-alkali spot margins rise in week ending 18 October, electricity costs lower
LONDON (ICIS)--German spot chlor-alkali spot margins rose in the week ending 18 October, on the back of lower electricity prices and slightly higher electrochemical unit (ECU) values. Margins have...
Sulphur sentiment buoyant on good downstream demand
LONDON (ICIS)--The sulphur market is expected to remain stable to firm in the short term, on the back of ample demand from downstream phosphates and metals industries. Chinese domestic prices...
The problem of plastic in our soils
Not just a marine issue, new research shows microplastics are also changing agricultural land. Barbara Pinho finds out how and what we can do to prevent it affecting our food