Polymers Exchange

• Circular Carbon Blacks Slash Emissions
  Cabot Corp. is named a top innovator by Europe’s automotive supplier association for its circular black masterbatches, among other recent developments. ... read more
• Europe benzene spot activity patchy amid seasonal lull
  LONDON (ICIS)--Europe benzene spot activity was fairly patchy in the week ended 6 December, as an industry event took place in Madrid, Spain. The market is under pressure with supply ... read more
• Europe styrene market downbeat on weak demand, unclear outlook
  LONDON (ICIS)--Spot activity in the the Europe styrene market was persistently thin in the week ended 6 December, as players attended a key industry event in Madrid, Spain. The mood ... read more
• German chlor-alkali spot margins fall in week ending 6 December as ECU lower, energy prices higher
  LONDON (ICIS)--German spot chlor-alkali spot margins fell in the week ending 6 December, on the back of lower electrochemical unit (ECU) and higher electricity prices. Chlor-alkali and chlor-vinyl ... read more
• Poland’s Azoty Pulawy launches fifth nitric acid line
  LONDON (ICIS)--Poland's largest nitrogen fertilizer producer Grupa Azoty Pulawy said on Wednesday it has launched a fifth nitric acid line in pursuit of greater production efficiency in making ... read more
• Researchers Decouple Stiffness and Extensibility in Polymer Engineering
  Foldable “bottlebrush” polymer structure eliminates traditional tradeoff between the two properties. ... read more
• Bulgaria's Toplofikacia Sofia’s debt could impact Bulgargaz’s activity
  Bulgaria’s largest natural gas consumer Toplofikacia Sofia owes €800m to Bulgargaz and BEH entities This could hinder state supplier Bulgargaz, impacting both prices and the local gas market The ... read more
• BASF starts up expanded ammonium chloride plant in Ludwigshafen
  LONDON (ICIS)--BASF has started up production at an expanded ammonium chloride plant at its Ludwigshafen site in Germany. With the expansion, the plant’s capacity increased by 50% and product ... read more
• Plant status: Borealis Antwerp PDH offline due to strike action
  LONDON  (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Borealis Location: Kallo, Belgium Product: propylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 300,000 Event start: 4-5 December Event finish: H2 December Reason: ... read more
• Europe base oils export prices slump as offer volumes grow
  LONDON (ICIS)--European base oils export values dropped for all grades this week amid an uptick in the volume of offers heard. Prices for SN150 decreased $30/tonne to $880-930/tonne FOB (free ... read more
• Seattle Can’t Recycle Its Glass, but Plastic Is Still the Archvillain
  A local glass-recycling business is shutting down because it can’t compete with low-cost imports of wine bottles. The response from the public and media is in stark contrast to news ... read more
• Tropicana Redesign Failure, Take Two
  A recent redesign of the 52-ounce Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice carafe isn’t working out the way the brand owner envisioned. ... read more
• Johan Castberg field to start production in early 2025
  Equinor, alongside partners Var Energi and Petoro, plans to start oil production at the Johan Castberg field before February 2025. ... read more
• Northern Endurance Partnership achieves financial close for UK’s first CCS project
  Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) has announced financial close for the UK's first carbon capture and storage (CCS) project. ... read more
• Produkte des Jahres 2025: Die Nominierten der Kategorie Recycling
  In der Kategorie Recycling treten im Rahmen des Wettbewerbs um die Produkte des Jahres 2025 im KUNSTSTOFF MAGAZIN 11 Produkte an. Hier stellen wir Ihnen die innovativen Lösungen vor, die ... read more
• YEAR IN REVIEW: Rising solar output pressures Hungarian power Day-ahead in 2024
  Hungary has worked to expand its renewable and nuclear capacity in 2024 This will increase the security of Hungarian electricity supply while also contributing to the country’s transition to a ... read more
• Global oil demand at ‘healthy growth level’ in 2025, with petchems a driving factor – OPEC
  LONDON (ICIS)--Global oil demand is forecast to grow by 1.4 million barrels/day in 2025, with petrochemicals a major driving factor, OPEC said on Wednesday. While lower than the 2024 demand ... read more
• Product Carbon Footprint: Software ermittelt CO2-Bilanzierung auf Produktebene
  Mit Ecospeed Product stellt Ecospeed eine neue, web-basierte Software für die Berechnung von CO2-Emissionen auf Produktebene vor. Die Bilanzierung entspricht den Anforderungen der CSRD-Richtlinie und der DIN EN ISO 14067. ... read more
• Poland’s Orlen announces major scale-back of ‘erroneous’ Olefins III investment
  LONDON (ICIS)--Poland’s Orlen Group on Wednesday announced that it will substantially scale back its “erroneous” multi-billion-dollar Olefins III project as it would not result in a profitable ... read more
• CRUDE SUMMARY: Hopes of higher China demand support crude benchmarks
  Chinese economic stimulus measures could boost crude consumption in 2025 US consumer and producer price index data due later this week Supply disruption fears in the Middle East ease after ... read more
• Ship the Vegetables and Hold the Ice Using Cool New Film
  Films engineered with modified atmosphere and moisture control eliminate polystyrene packaging and ice for bulk shipment of broccoli and other vegetables. ... read more
• Jadestone Energy completes EPCI test for Akatara gas development
  Jadestone Energy has announced the successful completion of the EPCI contract performance test at the Akatara gas development in Indonesia. ... read more
• EnergyPathways partners with Wood for gas and hydrogen storage venture
  EnergyPathways has announced a partnership with Wood to advance its Marram Energy Storage Hub (MESH) project. ... read more
• EVENING SNAPSHOT – Europe Markets Summary
  CRUDE: Higher on demand hopes after China's November crude imports rise by 14.3% year-on-year. NAPHTHA: Steady despite limited liquidity. BENZENE: Lower on thin discussions. STYRENE: Higher as bids ... read more
• Tighter PEG discount could limit French gas exports to Spain
  French gas exports to Spain rise in December Flows expected to remain low for the remainder of winter amid tighter PEG discounts to PVB Daily flows still subject to intermittent ... read more
• Europe BDO December contracts roll over amid steady fundamentals at end 2024
  LONDON (ICIS)--European butanediol (BDO) contracts for December settled at a rollover from the previous month, as market fundamentals remained mostly steady. Some contracts settled at decreases from ... read more
• Grid connection fees could limit German battery storage expansion – industry, market sources
  Some fear grid fees to connect to storage systems could limit large-scale battery storage expansion in Germany Higher grid fees in south could exacerbate grid bottleneck issues if introduced If ... read more
• Global air cargo demand surges 9.8% in October, sustains 15-month growth streak
  LONDON (ICIS)--Global air cargo demand increased by 9.8% year on year in October 2024, marking the 15th consecutive month of growth, according to data from the International Air Transport Association ... read more
• Europe VAM December contract talks underway, spot range widens
  LONDON (ICIS)--December contract price negotiations are underway in the European vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) market, while the spot price range widened to €850-950/tonne FD (free delivered) NWE ... read more
• Europe propane naphtha spread highest since autumn 2022
  LONDON (ICIS)--Spot prices in Europe for propane and butane came under pressure in the week to Friday 6 December, tracking the performance seen in upstream crude oil futures and other ... read more
• Europe acetic acid December talks underway, seasonal low demand
  LONDON (ICIS)--European acetic acid contract price talks for December remain at an early stage amid steady market conditions. Demand remains limited, with downstream consumption across end-uses ... read more
• No gas transmission capacity on Ukraine-Russia border offered for January
  Additional reporting by Luka Dimitrov No transmission capacity on Ukraine-Russia border offered for January Alternative Bulgarian route could also be impacted by US sanctions Srbijagas in talks to ... read more
• INEOS pushes forward with Greensand carbon storage project
  LONDON (ICIS)--INEOS and project partners Harbour Energy and Nordsofonden have made a final investment decision (FID) to move forward with the first commercial phase of the Greensand carbon storage ... read more
• Germany CPI inflation ticks above 2% in November
  LONDON (ICIS)--Inflation in Germany, as measured by the change in the consumer price index (CPI), ran at a 2.2% year-on-year increase in November – the first month since July that ... read more
• Produkte des Jahres 2025: Die Nominierten der Kategorie Peripherie
  Im Wettbewerb um die KUNSTSTOFF MAGAZIN Produkte des Jahres 20255 treten 11 nominierte Produkte in der Kategorie Peripherie an. Hier präsentieren wir Ihnen die innovativen Lösungen, die wir ins Rennen ... read more
• Meusburger: Standards sind Basis für individuelle Heißkanallösungen
  Die modular aufgebauten Heißkanalsysteme von Meusburger ermöglichen anwendungsspezifische Lösungen für unterschiedlichste Anforderungen. Standardisierte Komponenten und umfassende Services sorgen für Effizienz, Qualität und eine schnelle Verfügbarkeit. ... read more
• The US Path to Polypropylene Recycling Success
  NextLooPP Americas’ plan mobilizes US organizations to close the loop for food-grade polypropylene using technologies including AI. ... read more
• Spot demand for Europe toluene falls further
  LONDON (ICIS)--Interest for spot toluene has reduced further in Europe. Interest for gasoline blending persists for toluene, but it is encountering competition from more cheaper octane boosters, ... read more
• CRUDE SUMMARY: Oil benchmarks volatile as Brent front-month contract expires
  Investors await US economic data next week ahead of US Fed meeting January North Sea loading program released Front-month Brent contract expires, will roll to February next week LONDON (ICIS)--Oil ... read more
• Nach Insolvenzsantrag: Dieffenbacher übernimmt Composites-Geschäft von Schmidt & Heinzmann
  Dieffenbacher hat das Composites-Geschäft des insolventen Unternehmens Schmidt & Heinzmann übernommen. Die Übernahme schließt alle Mitarbeitenden des Geschäftsbereichs mit ein. Die Fortführung des Portfolios und der Kundenbetreuung soll das Dieffenbacher-Angebot ... read more
• Did RFK Jr. Really Say That?
  A little over a year ago, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted his 10-point plan to fix the “plastics crisis” on X. His proposals might shock you. ... read more
• CRUDE SUMMARY: Volatility grips oil prices as OPEC lowers 2024 world oil demand growth forecast
  OPEC cuts 2024 and 2025 global oil demand growth forecasts US inflation data due later this week will provide clarity on US oil demand COP29 commences without US and China ... read more
• Plastics by the Numbers
  Plastics market reports for microplastic detection, polymer foam, retort pouches, tie-layer resins, biodegradable polymers, stretch and shrink film, and in-mold labeling are featured in this slideshow. ... read more
• CORRECTED: Rising demand, cold snap to keep centraleast European power spot bullish
  (Correction: In the third paragraph, the price of the most expensive hour for 13 November delivery on HUPX has been amended) Hungarian exchange spot price clears at €355.32/MWh for 13 ... read more
• CSS/CDS MONTHLY: German gas plants in the money in December peakload hours
  LONDON (ICIS)--It is going to be profitable for all types of German gas-fired plants to generate electricity in the peak hours  in December to meet heating demand amid colder weather, ... read more
• EVENING SNAPSHOT – Europe Markets Summary
  CRUDE: Higher despite OPEC downward revision to 2024 global oil demand growth. NAPHTHA: Static amid low liquidity. BENZENE: Gains with crude, fresh December trade. STYRENE: Offers dip on ample ... read more
• Nissan 20% production cuts add to chem auto woes
  HOUSTON (ICIS)--Warnings from chemical companies about upcoming auto shutdowns are becoming true, with Nissan becoming the latest automobile producer to announce reductions in its workforce and ... read more
• Gilero Expands Medtech Injection Molding in North Carolina
  The facility in Greensboro will be dedicated to producing critical components for medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging. ... read more
• Plant status: Vynova's Mazingarbe, France PVC maintenance concluded in September
  LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Vynova Location: Mazingarbe, France Product: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Capacity (tonnes/year): 255,000 Event start: H2 September Event finish: ... read more
• Europe glycol ethers prices still under pressure as destocking period draws closer
  LONDON (ICIS)--Spot prices for E&P series glycol ethers in Europe have slipped in November as relatively weak market fundamentals persist with few signs of things turning up anytime soon. ... read more