Chemicals
Kate Bleasdale near brink of bankruptcy
Kate Bleasdale, the recruitment entrepreneur once feted for her success in business, is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.
Categories: Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals
Reckitt Benckiser to cut profit reports
The household consumer giant Reckitt Benckiser is set to ditch quarterly reporting of profits amid fears that the long-term growth of the company is under threat.
Categories: Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals
Argentina import restrictions likely to push up PVC prices
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) market in Argentina will probably absorb a $50-80/tonne (€38-61/tonne) hike in February for domestic...
Categories: Chemicals
Europe prompt methanol restricted; Q1 demand unexpectedly strong
LONDON (ICIS)--European methanol demand in the first quarter of 2012 has been stronger than many market players expected, and prompt material has...
Categories: Chemicals
EVENING SNAPSHOT - Americas Markets Summary
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is Friday’s end of day Americas oil and chemical market summary from ICIS. CRUDE: Mar WTI: $97.84/bbl, up $1.48; Mar Brent:...
Categories: Chemicals
Initial US January styrene contracts increase on stronger benzene
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Initial January styrene contract settlements have emerged at increases of 7.5 cents/lb ($165/tonne, €125/tonne) from December,...
Categories: Chemicals
Assessed US PVC January contracts rise 3 cents/lb on ethylene
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Assessed US polyvinyl chloride (PVC) contract prices for January rose on Friday by 3 cents/lb ($66/tonne, €51/tonne) from the...
Categories: Chemicals
US January phenol contracts rise 13% on increasing benzene
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US January phenol contracts settled higher by 13% on increased benzene feedstock costs and tightened supply, sources said on Friday....
Categories: Chemicals
US environmental science is broken - industry official
WASHINGTON (ICIS)--The scientific process for regulatory decisions at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is dysfunctional, a leading...
Categories: Chemicals
Argentina suspends refining, exploration incentive program
BOGOTA (ICIS)--Argentina's government is suspending its "Oil and Refining Plus" programmes for large companies that had encouraged new investment in...
Categories: Chemicals
US Eastman to restart Texas EO plant on Saturday
(updates throughout) HOUSTON (ICIS)--US-based producer Eastman plans to restart an ethylene oxide (EO) plant in Longview, Texas, on Saturday, the...
Categories: Chemicals
US crude futures rise $1.48/bbl on supportive economic data
HOUSTON (ICIS)--NYMEX light sweet crude (WTI) for March delivery settled at $97.84/bbl on Friday, up $1.48 versus the previous close, as investors...
Categories: Chemicals
US Eastman shuts down Longview EO plant to fix valve bonnet
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US-based Eastman Chemical had to shut down an ethylene oxide (EO) plant in Longview, Texas, because of a failed valve bonnet, the...
Categories: Chemicals
Europe Feb styrene barge CP confirmed at €1,334/tonne
LONDON (ICIS)--The February European styrene barge contract was confirmed on Friday at €1,334/tonne ($1,755/tonne), up by €120/tonne from the...
Categories: Chemicals
US-based SI Group to build 30,000 t/yr phenolic resin plant in China
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US-based chemical firm SI Group plans to invest $30m (€23m) to build a 30,000 tonne/year phenolic resin plant in Nanjing , China ,...
Categories: Chemicals
VIDEO – ICIS Americas Lunchtime Bulletin 3 February 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for the Americas on Friday from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market news and...
Categories: Chemicals
US chemical site security enforcement is foundering - Congress
WASHINGTON (ICIS)--Enforcement of the four-year-old federal antiterrorism security mandate for US chemical plants is behind schedule, inadequately...
Categories: Chemicals
Petrobras may build LNG, fertilizer plants in Rio Grande do Sul
BOGOTA (ICIS) –Brazilian state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras) signed a letter of intent to study the feasibility of building...
Categories: Chemicals
US ABS spot prices rise on feedstock costs
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) domestic prices rose as three producers pushed forward as much as an additional 5 cents/lb...
Categories: Chemicals
US January barge acetone fully settles at 4% increase
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US January barge acetone contract reached a full settlement, moving higher by 4%, sources confirmed on Friday. Several producers...
Categories: Chemicals
The Bottom Line:If Mr Cable has his way...
"If Mr Cable had his way, all the big banks would be broken up and bonuses would be virtually eliminated - a sure-fire way in my view of guaranteeing an end to the UK’s ability to compete as an international financial centre. Let’s not forget that this is a man who is on record as saying that everyone who works in a bank has an ‘aristocratic lifestyle’ clearly demonstrating his lack of understanding of the sector." A tough line on bankers’ bonuses could make a brain drain of financial talent a distinct possibility, warns Paul Marsden. Read more