Polymers Exchange

• Editorial KM 09/2025: Perspektive Kreislauf
  Kreislaufwirtschaft – kaum ein Begriff wird derzeit häufiger bemüht, wenn es um die Zukunft der Kunststoffbranche geht. Und das aus gutem Grund: Die Idee, Materialien möglichst lange im Umlauf zu ... read more
• ICIS POWER INSIGHT WEEK 36 NEWS IN BRIEF
  This news summary was generated via Ask ICIS LONDON (ICIS)--Please find below a short summary of the key power stories ICIS published in week 36. FBMC WEEKLY: German, Austrian power imports ... read more
• Europe methanol spot prices continue uptrend, in most active trading week of Q3 so far
  LONDON (ICIS)--European methanol spot prices climbed by 4% this week, marking the fourth consecutive week of gains. The uptick comes as trading activity resumes following the summer lull, with ... read more
• LNG News in Brief
  US RIO GRANDE TRAIN 4 NAMES EQUITY INVESTORS The proposed Rio Grande Train 4 project named equity investors in an August filing from developer NextDecade with the US Securities and ... read more
• Europe toluene demand still slow as summer gasoline boost fails to materialize
  LONDON (ICIS)--European toluene demand remains subdued amid the wider, slow, petrochemical industry in the continent. Demand for downstream chemicals, toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and benzene, also ... read more
• INSIGHT: US-South Korea deal following EU agreement gives clarity on aromatics imports
  NEW YORK (ICIS)--The US-South Korea trade deal will provide much-needed clarity for US aromatics imports, especially following the US-EU agreement. US President Donald Trump on the Truth Social ... read more
• French and German solar surge leading to rising negative price hours in France
  French negative price hours in 2025 so far exceed the figure reached last year Rising solar in domestic and neighboring countries, strong nuclear are key drivers Analyst and traders note ... read more
• EVENING SNAPSHOT – Europe Markets Summary
  CRUDE: Down after June US core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index increases 2.8% year-on-year. NAPHTHA: Lowers as crude eases despite a steady crack spread. BENZENE: Lower on broader ... read more
• Europe TDI force majeure triggers shockwaves globally
  LONDON (ICIS)--Covestro’s force majeure declaration on toluene diisocyanate (TDI) has had a ripple effect in various parts of the world reshaping supply and impacted prices. Covestro ... read more
• Europe melamine demand remains soft heading into August; spot prices hold steady
  LONDON (ICIS)--European melamine market conditions are largely unchanged ahead of August. Demand is expected to remain stable at a lower level during the summer period, due to some end user ... read more
• Global air cargo demand rises 0.8% in June as Asia leads growth – IATA
  LONDON (ICIS)--Global air cargo demand rose by 0.8% year on year in June, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), with strong gains in Asia-Pacific helping offset sharp ... read more
• Italy’s June lube demand rises
  SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Italy’s lube demand rose in June for the third time in four months, adding to signs that Europe’s sustained dip in lube consumption is bottoming out. Steady-to-firm lube ... read more
• Strong LNG inflows support German gas injections amid Rehden underfill
  Germany’s gas injections remain supported by strong LNG sendout ahead of Norwegian maintenance peak July LNG imports and sendout hit multi-year highs, with daily average up 72.6% year-on-year ... read more
• Energean and INA announce FID for Irena gas field in Croatia 
  Energean, in partnership with INA has announced the FID for the development of the Irena gas field, situated offshore Croatia.   ... read more
• Saipem secures Scarabeo 8 contract extension with Aker BP until 2027
  Aker BP has exercised the option to extend the contract with Saipem for the semi-submersible drilling unit Scarabeo 8 until 31 December 2027. ... read more
• European acetone MMA contract softens for August, tracking upstream propylene
  LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe acetone methyl methacrylate (MMA) contract has settled at a decrease for August, in line with upstream propylene. The Europe acetone MMA contract price for August is at ... read more
• German gas market braces for likely additional levy from 1 October
  Market-area manager THE spent over €400m on gas-quality conversion measures in June alone Account now below minimum buffer of €180m, likely to trigger conversion neutrality levy over next gas ... read more
• Europe August PO contract price falls on propylene decline
  LONDON (ICIS)--The European propylene oxide (PO) contract price for August has fallen following a decline in the upstream propylene (C3) settlement. August PO prices were assessed down €8/tonne ... read more
• INSIGHT: Tight antimony trioxide, price hikes to impact Europe flame-retardant ABS
  LONDON (ICIS)--Balanced-to-long supply has continued throughout 2025 in the European acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) market, mainly as a result of stable to weak demand leaving volumes ... read more
• FORTNIGHTLY MARKET COMMENT: French PEG Day-ahead flips to premium over Dutch TTF
  LONDON (ICIS)--The French PEG Day-ahead averaged €32.886/MWh from 14-30 July, having shed ground in line with the Dutch benchmark, amid lowering demand and above-norm winds until 25 July. The ... read more
• Injections to EU gas stores surge on year in late July
  LONDON (ICIS)--Net injections into European underground gas storage facilities increased in the second half of July relative to the same period last year on the back of abundant LNG supplies ... read more
• Plant status: Repsol declares force majeure on polyols in Puertollano, Spain
  LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Repsol Location: Puertollano, Spain Product: Polyols Capacity (tonnes/year): 70,000 Event start: 30 July Event finish: Unknown Reason: Force ... read more
• Europe ethylene oxide contracts soften on upstream ethylene losses
  LONDON (ICIS)--European ethylene oxide (EO) August contracts were assessed lower following the settlement of the upstream ethylene contract. The European ethylene contract reference price for August ... read more
• Following FID, Venture Global expects first CP2 LNG output by 2027
  VG portfolio to reach nearly 60mtpa at a minimum with CP2 addition Little price response so far from TTF curve Will add to nearly 200mtpa of new LNG expected online ... read more
• Chemical Recycling Repurposes Synthetic Turf Waste
  Aduro Clean Technologies’ process shows promise for underserved recycling markets worth billions. ... read more
• CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices down as US trade deal deadline of 1 August looms
  US threatening 30% tariffs on EU goods, risk to oil price upside if EU imposes reciprocal tariffs Risk of trade war escalation set to weigh on sentiment EIA inventory data ... read more
• Europe July ECH prices largely roll in line with propylene, flat conditions
  LONDON (ICIS)--Europe epichlorohydrin (ECH) freely negotiated contract prices are holding for July, in line with propylene feedstock stability and flat but still muted ECH fundamentals. Rollovers ... read more
• Lego's Unconventional Ventures: From Galidor to Brittle Bricks and Engineering Missteps
  Explore Lego's experimental product lines and engineering challenges, from the infamous Galidor to quality control issues with brittle brown bricks. ... read more
• Europe July epoxy resins largely quoted softer, some rollovers too
  LONDON (ICIS)--There has been some price softening for Europe epoxy resins in July, in a weak market and in order to defend volume against competition, although rollovers were also heard. ... read more
• Two new LNG FSRUs kick off Egypt operations
  Energos Eskimo, Energos Power FSRUs go online in Egypt Brings relief as vessels have idled near terminals More FSRUs planned amid ongoing high demand LONDON (ICIS)--The Energos Eskimo and Energos ... read more
• EU interconnector use up year on year in Q2 as gas flows reroute to Ukraine – ACER
  Ukraine attracts large imports amid high storage demand in Summer '25 Flows rerouted east to west to meet Ukraine demand after Russian transit expiry, post Russian transit expiry Italy absorbs ... read more
• INTERVIEW: US chemical distributors clamor for tariff clarity – ACD CEO
  NEW YORK (ICIS)--US chemical distributors are calling for trade agreements with key trading partners that would bring some level of certainty to tariff levels, said the head of the Alliance ... read more
• Heightened Spanish gas demand for power generation after April blackout continues
  Increased Spanish gas-for-power demand following April blackout Higher power demand offsets falling industrial consumption Low shipping rates could incentivise floating storage uptake LONDON ... read more
• EVENING SNAPSHOT – Europe Markets Summary
  CRUDE: Falls as US-EU trade agreement deadline gets closer with no deal in sight. NAPHTHA: Lowers with easing crude, crack spread. BENZENE: Lower in market described as 'dead' ahead of ... read more
• CSS/CDS MONTHLY: Most efficient gas-plants back in profit for front-quarter, low wind and EU tariff risks could further boost Q4 ’25 margins
  LONDON (ICIS)-- German front-quarter clean spark spreads (CSS) have returned to positive levels during peakload generation and are also positive for baseload generation at Germany’s most efficient ... read more
• Germany’s exports to US to fall by one-third, economist warns chemical firms
  LONDON (ICIS)--German chemical, pharmaceutical and other companies can expect to see a sharp decline in their exports to the important US market, as a result of tariffs, Jorg Kramer, chief ... read more
• Graphene Program Unlocks Next-gen Plastic Performance
  Qualified compounders are piloting new formulations that enhance automotive and packaging applications with minimal material usage. ... read more
• EU hits flag registries, planned Russian LNG plant in new sanctions
  Flag registries, planned Russian plant included in EU sanctions Limited market impact expected Three LNG tankers removed from sanctions LONDON (ICIS)--The EU adopted its 18th and latest sanctions ... read more
• Agilyx to acquire 44% of Germany’s GreenDot Global, strengthens Europe presence
  LONDON (ICIS)--US-based chemical recycler Agilyx ASA has entered into a binding agreement to acquire 44% of Germany’s GreenDot Global S.a r.l (DerGruenePunkt), expanding Agilyx’s reach into ... read more
• Jackdaw gas field faces call for Scope 3 emissions statement under new guidance
  Developer of Jackdaw gas field asked to provide Scope 3 emissions statement Request follows newly issued guidance for assessing downstream emissions Allows progression to decision on future of ... read more
• UK’s 3.2GW Sizewell C project reaches final investment decision
  The UK’s Energy Secretary signed the final investment decision for the 3.2GW Sizewell C nuclear plant on 22 July The government will be the largest shareholder in the project, which ... read more
• UK awards €37 million to hydrogen-based SAF projects
  LONDON (ICIS)--On 22 July, the UK government announced it had awarded £63 million (€72.6 million) in funding to 17 sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects, with over half directed toward ... read more
• Walking towards the light: how solar and hydrocarbons can work together
  How can solar energy production and oil & gas complement one another? Offshore Technology looks at some of the issues. ... read more
• Robotics Giant Rewards Packaging Innovation in Global Competition
  Kuka's Innovation Award 2026 seeks creative ideas for using robots throughout the packaging lifecycle, from manufacturing to recycling. ... read more
• Fictiv Elevates Injection Molding with Digital Innovations
  Integration of sophisticated digital tools enables processors to accelerate product development while minimizing supply chain complexity and risk. ... read more
• 5 key ICIS LNG stories of the week
  ICIS Analyst View: Opportunities and challenges for Northeast Asian markets in the upcoming LNG glut. In the coming few years, ICIS is projecting a downtrend for oil-linked long term LNG prices ... read more
• Black-plastic Fearmongers Won’t Be Silenced, Even Though the Math Doesn’t Add Up
  Despite not one but two egregious math errors in their study, the researchers continue to sound the alarm on “significant” contaminants in products made from recycled plastics. ... read more
• Falling demand, increased supply see PET bales fall further in eastern Europe
  LONDON (ICIS)--Colourless (C) post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle bale prices in Poland and the Czech Republic dropped for the fourth consecutive week as lower demand and increased ... read more
• CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil prices down as market grows wary of potential US trade-tariff turmoil post 9 July
  Bearish sentiment on realization that many US bilateral trade agreements are still to be finalized US bank holiday weekend also disincentivizes investors to take risky positions Mixed news out of ... read more
• NYMEX: US gas futures settle lower after storage data release
  Front-month US natural gas futures closed slightly lower on 12 June, retreating from early-session gains following the release of weekly US storage data The July Henry Hub contract settled at ... read more