Polymers Exchange

• New Leadership at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag North America
  The company will have a new president and chief operating officer starting next month. ... read more
• New 430MW CCGT to support Romanian power grid
  Plans for new gas-fired plant announced New capacity to aid local balancing market, winter demand Romania eyes at least 1.4GW of new gas-fired capacity in 2025 WARSAW (ICIS)-- Works for ... read more
• Europe's OX market faces tough contract price talks in March amid softer upstream costs and tighter fundamentals
  LONDON (ICIS)--European orthoxylene (OX) players are facing a tough round of discussions in March as softer feedstock mixed xylenes (MX) costs in February are coupling with tighter supply and demand ... read more
• Viking Plastics Expands Partnership with Injequaly
  Viking Plastics expands its partnership with São Paulo-based Injequaly to enhance global manufacturing options through shared technologies, capabilities, and support. ... read more
• EVENING SNAPSHOT – Europe Markets Summary
  CRUDE: Down on US imposes 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, including 10% tariff on Canadian energy. NAPHTHA: Softens following weakness in crude, crack spread. BENZENE: Lower with crude, muted ... read more
• FBMC Monthly: Low Dutch wind to tighten exports in March, while French exports may remain high
  Below average wind output is forecast through March in the Netherlands and Germany This is likely to reduce the Netherlands' power export capability, while increasing Germany’s reliance on power ... read more
• $60-billion Adnoc-OMV-Nova Chemicals Deal Creates Global Polyolefins Powerhouse
  When the deal is finalized in Q1 of next year, Borouge Group International will be the fourth-largest polyolefins producer in the world. ... read more
• Trim-Tex Announces Acquisition of Plastic Components Inc.
  The family-owned businesses will unite to offer a range of interior and exterior finishing options. ... read more
• Market prices discount on French summer contracts amid supply margin confidence
  Wide supply margins, little gas reliance widening French summer contract discounts to Germany Risk from weather fundamentals, tighter hydropower entering the front-quarter to be muted by strong ... read more
• ORLEN switching to partnerships for large projects after Olefins III difficulties – Fitch
  LONDON (ICIS)--Fitch Ratings said late on Monday that following the December scaling back of the major ORLEN Olefins III petrochemical development in Poland, it understands from the group management ... read more
• Europe CX March contract dips with feedstock
  LONDON (ICIS)--The European cyclohexane (CX) March contract price has settled at €1,063/tonne, down by €11/tonne from February, following a decrease in upstream benzene costs. The CX contract is ... read more
• Norwegian gas production schedule to support later Europe summer refill
  Norwegian gas production is set to bottom out in June, before increasing in July and August This could support a later summer refill compared to last year Uncertainty around regulator ... read more
• Moldova adopts critical plan for energy market reform, seeks changes to gas market rules
  NECP plan critical to Moldovan market reform, decarbonization, energy security Moldova also plans to amend gas market rules to boost liquidity Transnistria adopts historic tariff increase, but more ... read more
• Plant status: DOMO plans April-May maintenance at capro, nylon 6 plant in Leuna, Germany
  LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: DOMO Chemicals Leuna Location: Leuna, Germany Product: Caprolactam (capro), Nylon 6 Capacity (tonnes/year): Capro 130,000; nylon 6 20,000 Event ... read more
• PODCAST: EU’s Clean Industrial Deal may be too little, too late for chemicals
  BARCELONA (ICIS)--The European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal may not be radical enough to reverse the decline of Europe’s petrochemical industry. Member states urged to lower energy bills by ... read more
• EnerMech secures work on SBM Offshore’s Guyana FPSO
  EnerMech has secured a pre-commissioning contract for the One Guyana FPSO, which is set to arrive in Guyanese waters this year. ... read more
• Europe chems stocks tank amid tariff-driven global sell-off
  LONDON (ICIS)--European chemicals stocks fell on Tuesday in line with a wider market sell-off as the US prepares to impose wide-ranging tariffs on Mexico and Canada and China announced retaliatory ... read more
• Update to ICIS Topics: Recycled Plastics Focus
  Visit Recycled Plastics Focus for our latest update - Pyrolysis-based Chemical Recycling. The new Pyrolysis tab explores the current state of this key developing market, including: What is pyrolysis? ... read more
• Genesis Energy sells Alkali business to WE Soda affiliate for $1.42bn
  Genesis Energy has announced the sale of its soda ash manufacturing and related operations, known as the Alkali Business, to an indirect affiliate of WE Soda. ... read more
• NOON SNAPSHOT – Europe Markets Summary
  CRUDE: Down on reports OPEC+ will proceed with planned output increase in April. NAPHTHA: Lower as crude drops, crack spread eases. BENZENE: Retreats on lower crude, weak demand, concern over ... read more
• Egypt fertilizers interactive trade map January-November 2024
  LONDON (ICIS)--Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) has released trade data for January-November ... read more
• MWC Barcelona 2025: Maximizing 5G network value in the age of AI
  At MWC Barcelona 2025, Li Peng delivered a keynote on how carriers can make the most of AI to fully unleash the value of their networks. ... read more
• Resin Price Report: Prices Inch Higher Amid Uncertain Near-term Demand
  PE and PP resin prices rose another half cent in mid-February at the Plastics Exchange trading desk. ... read more
• KBR awarded management service contract for Angola ammonia and urea project
  HOUSTON (ICIS)--Global engineering firm KBR has been awarded a contract for Project Management Consultancy (PMC) services by AMUFERT to support the development of its estimated $2 billion fertilizer ... read more
• CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude benchmarks set for first monthly decline since November
  Iraq set to announce resumption of crude exports from Kurdistan US PCE January data slightly lower, boosting US Dollar index Reports OPEC+ debating whether to raise oil output in April ... read more
• INSIGHT: US PE exports most vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs – ICIS analysis
  NEW YORK (ICIS)--Among the massive exports of cost-advantaged US chemicals and plastics across the world, none is more vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs than polyethylene (PE). The US is specifically ... read more
• Plant status: Fortischem plans to close PVC capacity in Slovakia – market sources
  LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Fortishchem Location: Novaky, Slovakia Product: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Capacity (tonnes/year): 90,000 Event start: Early 2025 Event finish: ... read more
• Transatlantic westbound chemical tanker spot rates higher
  LONDON (ICIS)--Chemical tanker spot freight rates on transatlantic (TA) westbound routes were assessed higher for all cargo sizes in the week ending 28 February compared with the previous week, based ... read more
• Intra-Europe chemical tanker spot rates edge up
  LONDON (ICIS)--Chemical tanker spot freight rates on intra-European routes were assessed higher in the week ending 28 February compared with the previous week, based on market feedback. The move in ... read more
• Plant status: LAT Nitrogen melamine plant in Austria still running at reduced rates
  LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: LAT Nitrogen Location: Linz, Austria Product: Melamine Capacity (tonnes/year): 50,000 Event start: End-September Event finish: Unknown Reason: ... read more
• WEEKLY GAS OUTLOOK: Warmer temperatures to pressure European prices despite low renewables, Ukraine demand persisting
  LONDON (ICIS)--Spot gas prices across European hubs could face further declines in Week 10, with temperatures set to rise above average across most of the continent, except in Spain, where ... read more
• European acetone spot FD numbers steady, demand optimism for March
  LONDON (ICIS)--Acetone free delivered (FD) European spot prices were stable as weak demand kept many buyers on the sidelines. Some March price increases will be separately targeted by producers, with ... read more
• EU grants €180 million loan to Portuguese energy company for construction of 100MW hydrogen unit
  LONDON (ICIS)--On 27 February, the European Investment Bank (EID) announced that it has granted a €180 million loan to Portuguese energy company Galp for the construction of a 100MW electrolyser, ... read more
• EVENING SNAPSHOT – Europe Markets Summary
  CRUDE: Falls ahead of expected US tariffs on Canada and Mexico next week NAPHTHA: Lower with crude despite improved buying interest BENZENE: Pares earlier gains as March trades STYRENE: Bids ... read more
• SPE Foundation, Plastics Hall of Fame Launch Scholarship Program
  Industry leaders collaborate to offer four $5,000 scholarships and show their support for the next generation of plastics professionals. ... read more
• European phenol contract market awaits energy surcharge clarity
  LONDON (ICIS)--The European phenol contract for March has yet to settle as the market awaits clarity on energy surcharge levels for the month. However, the European benzene March contract price ... read more
• Plant status: LyondellBasell's Maasvlakte POSM unit remains idle
  LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: LyondellBasell and Covestro Location: Maasvlakte, Netherlands Products: Propylene oxide (PO)/styrene monomer (SM) Capacity (tonnes/year): 315,000 ... read more
• Latest issue of ICIS Chemical Business now live
  BARCELONA (ICIS)--The latest issue of ICIS Chemical Business is now live. Under "Latest Issue" click "Download" to access the PDF magazine. Europe must get ‘Back to basics' : Covestro CEO ... read more
• GIF Briefs
  Europe Transport - The European Commission is planning to hold its first hydrogen auctions in September to stimulate the development of a traded EU market. The initiative aims to match ... read more
• Europe feedstocks and petrochemicals weekly summary
  LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a summary of major feedstocks and petrochemicals in Europe for the week ended 28 February. Crude: Crude lower on upcoming US tariffs on Canada and Mexico and ... read more
• Europe PS February contract prices rise, driven by styrene, distribution range also assessed
  LONDON (ICIS)--February contract prices have increased €45/tonne in the Europe polystyrene (PS) market, mainly driven by the same movement €45/tonne February contract price increase for upstream ... read more
• CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude benchmarks set for weekly losses, EIA data displays gasoline draws
  Ukrainian President Zelensky signals willingness to improve relations with US EIA data shows US gasoline stocks draw, indicating stronger US demand US oil rig count up seven to 488 - ... read more
• Europe EPS February contract prices rise double digits
  LONDON (ICIS)--February contract prices increased €70/tonne in Europe's expandable polystyrene (EPS) market, mainly driven by upstream styrene. EPS prices were driven by the €45/tonne feedstock ... read more
• Europe ABS February contract prices increase double digits
  LONDON (ICIS)--February contract prices have increased €50/tonne in the Europe acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) market, mainly driven by composite upstream price movements for February ... read more
• Idemitsu Kosan, Mitsubishi Electric Collaborate to Use Biomass Plastics in Home Appliances
  According to the Japanese companies, the collaboration marks a step toward sustainability in consumer goods. ... read more
• Europe BPA spot prices stable to firmer, amid limited prompt supply
  LONDON (ICIS)--Europe bisphenol A (BPA) spot prices were stable at the low-end in a still fundamentally slow market, but with some firming at the upper-end of the range this week, ... read more
• Finland’s first industrial-scale renewable hydrogen plant begins operations
  LONDON (ICIS)--On 12 February, Finnish hydrogen producer P2X Solutions announced the launch of commercial operations at its 20MW renewable hydrogen plant in Harjavalta, Finland. The facility also ... read more
• Iberian hydrogen production to supply Germany by 2030
  LONDON (ICIS)--The five partners behind the Iberia-France-Germany hydrogen pipeline project, H2med, have presented the results of the call to interest from potential users, identifying that Iberian ... read more
• HYDROGEN POLICY UPDATE: Dutch debate on hydrogen, green gas and energy carriers
  LONDON (ICIS)--Over January and February, debates and votes in Dutch parliament covered a series of motions around the development of the hydrogen sector, focusing on things such as industrial ... read more
• CEE gas markets to remain at a premium to Austrian VTP but volatile amid reversed flows
  Gas flows across CEE region change direction Uncertainty to prevail in short-term amid US-Russia negotiations Regional markets to remain tight but could ease on warmer weather LONDON (ICIS)--Spot ... read more