ICIS chemical business feed
The latest chemical industry analysis and business information from Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East from ICIS Chemical Business
Updated: 10 hours 4 min ago
Chemical industry awaits for bio-succinic acid potential
Succinic acid has been in the market for decades, but new applications have begun being developed and tested only recently, with the first of several...
Categories: Chemicals
China's coal-based chemicals are a trade-off
Often called a "pillar" of the Chinese economy, textile manufacturing rises from a foundation that is not entirely within the country's control...
Categories: Chemicals
Asian chemical profile: Ethylene
USES Ethylene is used mainly to make polyethylene (PE), which accounts for about 60% of world demand. Other major uses are ethylene oxide (EO),...
Categories: Chemicals
Arab Spring stalls Middle East polymers demand
Political revolutions hit the Arab world in steady waves for the majority of 2011, with Egypt and OPEC member Libya thrust in the limelight, flagging...
Categories: Chemicals
The New Normal: Products of the future
Product development strategies need to change as the aging Western population and nascent developing-world middle class look for value for money, not...
Categories: Chemicals
Polymers news in brief
US DECEMBER PETFALLS 2 CENTSUS December polyethylene terephthalate (PET) prices fell by 2 cents/lb from November, following lower feedstock prices....
Categories: Chemicals
PVC waits for housing construction to recover
Westlake may not buy Georgia Gulf right away but big changes lie ahead for sluggish market Speculation surrounds polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Added to...
Categories: Chemicals
Greek default looms
As talks to resolve Greece's debt crisis stall, it looks increasingly likely that a disorderly default could be in the cards. Even if agreement is...
Categories: Chemicals
Energy and feedstocks: Europe naphtha tightens as buying activity picks up
Asia prices expected to remain stable, after last-minute spot buying prior to New Year Business activity in the European naphtha cargo market is...
Categories: Chemicals
Intermediates: TDI prices take a turn upward
Producers of toluene di-isocyanate grab at the chance to recover margin lost since June After more than six months of weakness, toluene di-isocyanate...
Categories: Chemicals
Projects news in brief
INDORAMA PLANS INDIA PTA/PET PROJECT Thailand's Indorama Ventures plans to build an integrated plant in India for the production of purified...
Categories: Chemicals
Intermediates news in brief
EU Q1 MELAMINE SETTLES AT DECREASE First-quarter European melamine contract prices dropped by €180-220/tonne ($228-278/tonne) from the previous...
Categories: Chemicals
Feedstocks news in brief
OMV EXPLORES ZERO CHEMICAL FRACKING Austrian oil, gas and petrochemicals group OMV has pledged not to use chemicals during any hydraulic fracturing it...
Categories: Chemicals
Commentary: Chemical companies hold on to the hope of a restocking cycle
Following significant customer destocking in the fourth quarter, chemical companies look forward to a restocking cycle in 2012. But will underlying...
Categories: Chemicals
Projects: Italy's Novamont mulls second bio-BDO project
Bioplastics producer launches $50m project with Genomatica, and considers a second plant Italian bioplastics producer and US-based biotechnology...
Categories: Chemicals
Petrochemicals: News in brief
REPSOL RESTARTS SINES CRACKER Spanish oil and gas firm cracker at Sines, Portugal, was due to resume operations on January 23. The Sines cracker was...
Categories: Chemicals
Petrochemicals: NE Asian spot liquidity to rise for propylene
Traders' high premiums could force Chinese buyers of to cut their contractual commitments and turn instead to the spot market. Premiums are as much as...
Categories: Chemicals
Petrochemicals: Methanex outlines investment plans
Methanex The Canada-based methanol producer is making moves in global production Canadian methanol producer has confirmed plans to move one of its...
Categories: Chemicals
Tough fourth quarter for petrochemical players
picture caption: The fight is on to maintain sales and margins picture credit: Rex Features Although costs were higher in the fourth quarter, chemical...
Categories: Chemicals
Chemical market trends: Many markets see players push for hikes
Significant increases are sought for February contracts, with European sellers keen to offset a spike in naphtha and crude costs since the last...
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