Industry News
Chemical Industry News
EPCA ’24: Buyers react to INEOS global alternative to Belgian PTA supply
LONDON (ICIS)--INEOS Aromatics is guaranteeing supply of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) to customers of its Geel, Belgium plant, by having the option to ship in material from other regions....
Saudi Arabia and Jordan step in to cover majority of US DAP imports in Jan-Aug 2024
LONDON (ICIS)--Imports of diammonium phosphate (DAP) into the US increased by 44% in January-August 2024 year over year, according to customs data. The majority of product came from Saudi Arabia,...
EPCA ’24: More of the same for Europe phenol in 2025, unless construction saves the day
LONDON (ICIS)--European phenol markets are set for another disappointing or ‘transition’ year, sources at the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) conference in Berlin revealed. Construction...
US August base oils exports to Europe fall
SINGAPORE (ICIS)-- US base oils exports to Europe fell to a three-month low in August, curbing a build-up of premium-grade supplies in the region during Q3 of the year. The drop in exports contrasted...
Plant status: Westlake BPA Pernis ops in planned maintenance – sources
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Westlake Location: Pernis, the Netherlands Product: Bisphenol A (BPA) Capacity (tonnes/year): 120,000 Event start: early October (estimate) Event...
WEEKLY OUTLOOK: High storage to cap European gas demand
LONDON (ICIS)--Seasonally warm temperatures are expected across much of Western Europe during Week 42, limiting the onset of increased heating demand driving gas usage. Along with limited storage...
Canada’s economy adds 47,000 jobs in September, more than expected
TORONTO (ICIS)--Employment in Canada rose by 47,000 or 0.2% month on month in September and the unemployment rate fell from 6.6% to 6.5%, according to data by the country’s federal statistics...
Risks rising for Germany’s chemical industry, say economists
LONDON (ICIS)--The risks for Germany’s chemical industry keep rising, economists said during a webinar hosted by chemical producers’ trade group VCI, and noted: Weak demand, domestically and...
Cern to end cooperation agreements with Russian-based researchers
From November, 500 scientists affiliated with Russian institutions will be cut off from Cern research facilities due to ongoing war in Ukraine
Photoswitch brings energy storage and a cool efficiency boost to photovoltaics
Energy harvesting molecules can halt heating that hits solar cells’ efficiency while storing energy
World’s first agile production facility for battery cells opened
Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have set up an agile battery cell production facility in order to be able to manufacture battery cells - for example for electromobility or power tools -
Heavy Metals in the Ocean Become More Toxic
Toxic trace elements such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium occur naturally in small quantities in coastal seas. However, human activities such as industry and agriculture contribute significantly larger amounts. A new study has examined
How catalysts remove dangerous nitrogen oxides
Catalysts belonging to the zeolite family help to remove toxic nitrogen oxides from industrial emissions. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have now discovered that their complex nano porous structure is crucial. Specifically, individual
US ethylene output in July affected by outages
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The daily rate of US ethylene production from steam crackers in July declined, according to data from Worley Consulting, formerly Advisian. Total ethylene production also fell,...
Brazil expanding sectors drive PVC import surge
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Brazil's polyvinyl chloride (PVC) imports emerged in 2024, driven by the improved demand from the construction and automotive sectors. Growth in key infrastructure projects and the...
US chemicals August trade flows
HOUSTON (ICIS)—Below is US chemicals import and export data for August from the ICIS Supply and Demand Database. Select a commodity from the drop-down menu...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil rebounds on Middle East war premium rhetoric, US storm
Price volatility in crude market as war in Middle East lingers Stronger fuel demand in US supporting crude prices amid Hurricane Milton Falling greenback increases liquidity after US releases...
US ethylene August exports up month on month, down year on year
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US ethylene August exports more than doubled month on month but were still down 52% year on year, according to new figures from the ICIS Supply and Demand Database. Ethylene exports...
UBS upgrades Tronox on tariff protection, operating rates, interest rate cuts
NEW YORK (ICIS)--UBS is upgrading US-based titanium dioxide (TiO2) producer Tronox from “neutral” to “buy” and raising profit estimates on healthier operating rates, central bank interest...
US styrene August exports up month on month, down year on year
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US styrene exports in August rose 3% month on month but were 38% lower year on year, according to new trade figures from the ICIS Supply and Demand Database. Styrene exports have...