Polymers Exchange

• INSIGHT: US chemical exports to China to be slammed with 34% retaliatory tariff, EU tariffs loom
  NEW YORK (ICIS)--China’s 34% retaliatory tariff on all imports from the US to go into effect 10 April would hit US chemical exports hard, particularly polyethylene (PE) and ethylene glycol ... read more
• US excludes many plastics from reciprocal tariffs
  HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US is excluding several plastics from its reciprocal tariffs, but several commodity chemicals will apparently remain subject to the duties, including benzene. The US published a ... read more
• Across-the-board Tariffs Harmful to Plastics Industry, Says Seaholm
  The tariffs “will disrupt supply chains, increase production costs, and undermine our global competitiveness,” warns the president and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association. ... read more
• CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude prices plummet on impact of US trade policy, OPEC+ production hike
  Oil prices nose-dive after announcement of draconian US tariff policy OPEC+ triples May’s production plans Bearish day for oil mitigated by energy exemptions from raft of US tariffs LONDON ... read more
• European sulphur market braces for potential tariff-related price increases
  LONDON (ICIS)--European sulphur buyers could be faced with higher prices if Europe retaliates to 20% reciprocal tariffs set by the US. The EU was hit with the tariff by the ... read more
• Logitech Mice Prefer Paper Packaging
  Company’s transition from plastic clamshells to paper packaging is another step closer to achieving a greater global goal involving tens of millions of products. ... read more
• Plastifab Acquires R&M’s Pole Line Products Business
  The deal improves its market position in North America, said the Ontario-based company. ... read more
• Plant status: BASF declares force majeure on ethylene at Antwerp and Ludwigshafen
  LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: BASF Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany and Antwerp, Belgium Product: Ethylene Capacity (tonnes/year): Ludwigshafen, Germany (ethylene): Plant 1 ... read more
• Base oils imports among exemptions from US tariffs
  SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Base oils imports were among a list of energy-related products exempted from new tariffs that the US announced this week. The US will impose universal tariffs on most imported ... read more
• Plant status: INEOS PTA Belgium plant due to restart in early April
  LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: INEOS Aromatics Location: Geel, Belgium Product: Purified terephthalic acid (PTA) Capacity (tonnes/year): 950,000 (total) Event start: March Event ... read more
• ECS ’25: Underwhelming coatings season expected amid wider economic and geopolitical challenges
  LONDON (ICIS)--The persistent underwhelming demand in Europe's coatings industry is set to last for the remainder of the year, with market players cautious amid a volatile geopolitical  and ... read more
• European Commission approves €5 billion German scheme to support industry reduce emissions
  LONDON (ICIS)--On 24 March, the European Commission approved a €5 billion German scheme under EU State aid rules to support the decarbonization of industrial production processes via technologies ... read more
• ICIS EXPLAINS: Hintco launches second H2Global auction
  LONDON (ICIS)--On 19 February 2025, Hintco, a hydrogen market development and trade company, announced it had initiated its second H2Global mechanism auction with a budget of €2.5 billion. ... read more
• Draft route selection for hydrogen network in Drenthe and Overijssel
  LONDON (ICIS)--On 6 March 2025, the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG), in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO), announced the selection of the draft ... read more
• EVENING SNAPSHOT – Europe Markets Summary
  CRUDE: Down on US tariff mayhem and OPEC+ May production hikes. NAPHTHA: Nosedives as crude plunges, crack weakens amid low liquidity. BENZENE: Drops amid demand concerns in global market selloff. ... read more
• UK power baseload prices through April could deliver below April ’25 expiry
  UK power baseload spot prices through 1-3 April have averaged below the April ’25 baseload expiry ICIS data shows this could continue as forward contracts for the rest of the ... read more
• Germany consults on ramp-up fee for hydrogen core network
  LONDON (ICIS)--On 26 March the German government announced for consultation its initial tariff for its core hydrogen network at €25/kWh/h/a, offering an annual product that is set to recuperate the ... read more
• European Commission approves Austria and Lithuanian state aid schemes for renewable hydrogen production
  LONDON (ICIS)--On 25 March, the European Commission approved, under EU State aid rules, a €400 million Austrian state aid scheme and a €36 million Lithuanian state aid scheme to support ... read more
• Romania promotes use of renewable hydrogen, RED III targets
  LONDON (ICIS)--On 21 January 2025, Romania's Ministry of Energy published Amendments to the Emergency Ordinance for completing the legal framework for promoting the use of energy from renewable ... read more
• ICIS EXPLAINS: Czechia publishes hydrogen plans via NECP
  LONDON (ICIS)--On 20 December 2024, Czech Republic submitted the final version of its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), to the European Commission. It highlights hydrogen as a key component ... read more
• US Gulf sulphuric acid import pricing firms despite tariff exemption
  LONDON (ICIS)--Imports of sulphuric acid from Mexico and Canada are exempt from sweeping import tariffs imposed by the White House on nations across the world today. Both burner feedstock sulphur ... read more
• Flo Group, NatureWorks Develop Compostable Coffee Pod
  Keygea is a compostable coffee capsule made with Ingeo PLA and crafted for the North American market. It is just the latest innovation in the coffee pod landscape. ... read more
• Unernehmens-News: Igus hält Umsatzmilliarde und steigert Zahl der aktiven Kunden
  Mit 277 motion plastics-Neuheiten präsentiert igus 2025 unter dem Motto „Go Zero Lubrication“ eine Rekordzahl an schmierfreien Kunststoff-Innovationen: von PTFE-freien Werkstoffen und einer kompletten Energiekettenserie aus Recyclingmaterial über ein neuartiges ... read more
• INEOS enter planned EG turnaround at Antwerp, Belgium, site
  LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: INEOS Location: Antwerp, Belgium Product: Ethylene glycols (EG) Capacity (tonnes/year): 290,000 Event start: March Event finish: Assumed April ... read more
• 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