Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Magnetism without metal: a milestone for materials science
Dr Hongde Yu and Prof Thomas Heine from TUD Dresden University of Technology have succeeded for the first time in predicting metal-free organic magnetic materials using precise computer simulations. These magnetic two-dimensional (2D) polymers could
Sustainable chemistry: Researchers develop method to reduce carbon footprint of chemical industry
Successful reduction of the chemical manufacturing industry’s environmental impact relies on finding a greener way to make the chemical building blocks for common and massively consumed compounds. It’s no secret manufacturing processes have some of
Plant status: Excel Paralubes Group II base oil plant has unplanned maintenance in October
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Excel Paralubes Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana, US Product: Base oils (Group II) Capacity (bbl/day): 22,200 Event start: early October Reason:...
Mexico’s Alfa completes key step towards Alpek spinoff
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The proposed spinoff of Mexican polyester producer Alpek has reached a key milestone, with corporate parent Alfa saying on Tuesday that it has solicited consents from more than 90% of...
US crude futures plunge $3.57/bbl on correction to overbought conditions
HOUSTON (ICIS)—NYMEX WTI crude futures for November delivery settled at $73.57/barrel, down $3.57, after five consecutive up sessions exhausted the upside. WTI, the US benchmark, hit an intra-day...
Argentina’s chemicals output down 3.5% in August, manufacturing down 6.9%
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Argentina’s chemicals and some petrochemicals-intensive sectors such as manufacturing and construction continue to bear the brunt of the recession, with output falling again in...
Chile’s September inflation down to 4.1%, central bank expected to cut rates further
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Chile’s annual rate of inflation fell in September to 4.1%, down from July’s 4.7%, reinforcing analysts’ expectation the central bank is to cut interest rates further later...
SHIPPING: September chem tanker arrivals at US port Houston plunge year on year
HOUSTON (ICIS)--September arrivals of liquid chemical tankers at Port Houston plunged compared with the same month a year ago, while arrivals of crude and product tankers and liquefied petroleum gas...
Brazil’s Q3 automotive output highest since 2019
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Brazil’s petrochemicals-intensive automotive output posted in Q3 its best quarter since 2019 and fully recovered its pre-pandemic levels, trade group Anfavea said. Third quarter...
CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil comes off one-month highs as war premium fades
Talks of a ceasefire calm markets There has been no impact on supplies in the Middle East Preparations for Hurricane Milton start in the US LONDON (ICIS)--Oil prices tumbled on Tuesday on hopes of a...
Middle East, Africa poised to drive growth in base oils’ demand globally – Luberef
RIYADH (ICIS)--The Middle East and Africa are presently the fastest growing regions for base oils’ demand. With a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 2.5%, they are poised to drive...
Saudi Arabia to lead in global lubricants’ market transformation
RIYADH (ICIS)--Saudi Arabia is at the cusp of leading on transformative changes in the global lubricants’ market that is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% through...
NextChem and KazMunayGas-Aero partner to boost SAF production in Kazakhstan
LONDON (ICIS)--NextChem and KazMunayGas-Aero (KMG AERO) have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Kazakhstan. The partnership was formalized...
EPCA ’24: Impossible to imagine European chems future without sustainability – consultant
BERLIN (ICIS)--The level of commitment to addressing the climate challenge in Europe is such that it is almost impossible to imagine a future for the region’s chemicals sector without addressing...
Italian TSO’s energy forecast scenarios for 2030-2040 may be ambitious to achieve
Additional reporting by Martina Losi Terna and Snam presented long term energy forecast scenarios, with gas expected to decrease and renewables to increase in the energy mix Power generation...
US trade deficit shrinks in August as exports rise and imports fall
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US goods and services deficit fell 10.8% month on month to $70.4 billion in August as exports rose while imports fell, according to US Census Bureau data released on Tuesday:...
TDMA supports EU Green deal, but transition will not be easy for TiO2
Vienna (ICIS)--The Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association (TDMA) supports the EU Green Deal and its aim to reach climate neutrality by 2050, but said the TiO2 industry is likely take longer and...
World paints demand to grow, most potential in emerging markets – industry expert
VIENNA (ICIS)--Global demand for paints, a key end-use sector for titanium dioxide (TiO2), is expected to grow by 2.6% in 2024, marginally better than in 2022 and 2023, with most potential for growth...
EPCA ’24: New approach to funding projects required as transition, competition gather pace – ING
BERLIN (ICIS)--Chemical companies will need to find innovative ways to source debt and equity for new projects as the transformation of the industry gathers pace, an executive from banking group ING...
Adequate British gas and power supplies expected through winter
National Gas confident in winter supply, expecting a scenario similar to 2023 NESO expects adequate supply margins, with a base case de-rated margin forecast of 5.2GW Exposure to LNG means similar...