ICIS - Search Articles by Date : April 02 2012 - April 08 2012

Chemical market trends: Most contract outcomes are as expected
News of an initial European ethylene contract for April was reported last Wednesday, raising it by €40/tonne because of firmer upstream costs. more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

This week's world news
EUROPE BASF TO DIVEST SWISS PRODUCTION ASSETS German chemicals major BASF plans to divest its production and logistics assets at Schaffhausen,.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Think tank: Shell's US cracker site selection raises questions
Anglo-Dutch energy and chemical giant Shell has identified a possible site for its proposed cracker in the Northeast US, but several key details.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Key chemical prices
The chemical prices will be published next on April 16, 2012 more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Commentary: Here comes the US shale gas infrastructure
The US will need lots of natural gas liquid (NGL) feedstock with all the planned new ethane crackers and expansions, debottlenecks and conversions of.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Commentary: Shale gas the talk of the town at AFPM
As delegates gather for the annual AFPM conference in San Antonio, Texas, the shale gas phenomenon and its impact on the chemical industry is still.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

News Focus: Supply constraints to drive global oxo-alcohol market
Key downstream paints, coatings and plasticiser markets have still not recovered to any significant extent since 2009 more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

US ethane petrochemical projects challenged
Expected rise in production capacity inspires interest in US projects, although international competition poses a threat more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Asia Chemical Profile: Nylon
Nylon USES Nylon (polyamide) comes in two forms: type 6, based on caprolactam (capro) and type 6,6, based on adipic acid and hexamethylene.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

US Chemical Profile: Isopropanol
Isopropanol USES Isopropanol (IPA) is mainly used in solvents, with outlets in cosmetics and personal care products, de-icers, paints and.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Intermediates news in brief
EU MMA SPOT PRICES TREND UPWARD Methyl methacrylate (MMA) spot prices in Europe have climbed by more than 8% over the past four weeks on firming.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Intermediates: PA market remains difficult in Asia and Europe
High inventories in China exacerbate the situation, but the cost of feedstock OX is falling more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Market intelligence: US shale oil production to surge, along with infrastructure
While all the buzz is about US shale gas, shale oil production is also set to jump in the coming years. Plus, infrastructure is on its way to more.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Petrochemicals: changing olefins feedstock slate
The global surge in ethane recovery will continue, although it will ease in the coming years as options are limited more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Propane slump boosts margins
Margins for the on-purpose production of propylene via propane dehydrogenation (PDH) in Europe have been soaring, according to the ICIS weekly margin.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Methanol settles up in Europe
Methanol buyers in Europe may have accepted an increase for the second-quarter contract but some suggest it is a little higher than it should be. more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Arbitrage windows stays shut for styrene
Traders have suggested arbitrage opportunities for styrene monomer (SM) may be unavailable between Asia and the US for some time as weak demand is.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Petrochemicals: aromatics reaction to Marl, Germany, closure
European aromatics players voice concerns as INEOS Styrenics announces plant closures more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Projects: New projects and permanent plant shutdowns
New projects and permenant plant shutdowns March 19-26, 2012 more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Naphtha falls on concerns about downstream demand
Despite subdued demand, Europe naphtha tightens as a result of refinery turnarounds more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Feedstocsk in brief
CHINA TO IMPORT 58% OF ITS CRUDE NEEDS China's 2012 crude and gas imports will rise to 58% and 30% of its total demand respectively as domestic.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

ABS price increases ongoing with sales good
Brisk business in the downstream market bodes well for the polymer - at least for now more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Polymers news in brief
PVC IN ARGENTINA UP ON FEEDSTOCKS A $50/tonne (€38/tonne) price increase initiative for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for March in Argentina was fully.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Green Chemicals news in brief
GUANGXI GUANGWEI STARTS BIO-PVA UNIT China's Guangxi Guangwei Chemical plans to start up its 50,000 tonne/year bio-based polyvinyl acetate (PVA).... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Green Chemicals: Avantium, Danone partner to develop PET bottle alternative
France-based manufacturer partners with Avantium to use polyethylene furanoate to replace polyethylene terephthalate more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

Green Chemicals: Biomass chemicals to be competitive in 10–15 years
Full-scale commercialization will take time, said officials at the EBDQUIM event in Brazil more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

China Insight: Butadiene rubber prices poised to fall on higher operating rates
Increased output from higher operating rates and plant restarts should cause butadiene rubber prices to decline more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

China Insight: Propane dehydrogenation projects boom, but risks loom
The surge in propane dehydrogenation projects could lead to overcapacity, while the propane feedstock picture is cloudy more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

China Insight: Methanol market sees demand recovery
China's methanol prices are likely to rise during April on the back of recovery in downstream demand as well as comparatively low inventory levels in.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

AFPM: Shale gas leads to mega-projects
Cheap and bountiful ethane feedstock in the US will change the dynamics of the global petrochemical industry. But it won't change the cycle It is.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

AFPM: Ethylene margins enjoy run-up at start of year
US ethylene margins are skyrocketing because of a number of plant turnarounds and cheaper ethane, but in the longer run, investment may bring.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

AFPM: M&A machine is fully loaded
The market environment is conducive for further deal activity in 2012, with strategic and financial buyers at the ready. What's next on the selling.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

AFPM: Putting the shale gas message across
AFPM is launching an outreach effort designed to highlight the broad benefits of the shale breakthrough to US producers and the US economy as a.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

AFPM: US to play key role in Latin growth
Cheap ethane feedstocks in the US will enable domestic producers there to build export business in the growing economies in Latin America The.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

AFPM: Supply chain lessons follow tsunami
Last year's tsunami in Japan disrupted supply chains globally, even shutting US car plants. What has the chemical supply chain learned from the.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

AFPM: Fracking drives chemicals boom
As fracking activity soars in the US, so does the need for specialty chemicals, but there are still concerns over the environmental impact of the.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

AFPM: NOVA prepares to reinvest
Renewed availability of feedstock for its ethylene production assets has revitalized NOVA Chemicals' business outlook and investment plans By.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

AFPM: Green glycols make their mark
Several companies are looking to develop bio-based glycols alongside their biofuels ventures, using glycerine or corn as feedstock A merging of.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

AFPM: Confidence still high for growth in Asia
more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

AFPM: On the verge of renaissance
Large-scale shale gas extraction is having a stimulating effect on US petrochemicals and the economy as a whole, says AFPM president Charlie Drevna.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

AFPM: Bright idea sparks ethanol advance
Celanese is pressing ahead with its new process to make ethanol from coal or natural gas, and has identified China as a key market for the.... more
(02 April 2012 00:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 2 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Monday 2 April from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market news.... more
(02 April 2012 06:00)

VIDEO – ICIS Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 2 April 2012
This is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Monday 2 April from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(02 April 2012 14:02)

AFPM '12: VIDEO - ICIS Americas Lunchtime Bulletin 2 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for the Americas on Monday from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market news.... more
(02 April 2012 18:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 3 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Tuesday 3 April from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market.... more
(03 April 2012 06:00)

VIDEO – ICIS Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 3 April 2012
This is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Tuesday 3 April from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(03 April 2012 13:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 4 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Wednesday 4 April from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market.... more
(04 April 2012 06:00)

VIDEO – ICIS Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 4 April 2012
This is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Wednesday 4 April from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(04 April 2012 13:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Americas Lunchtime Bulletin 4 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for the Americas on Wednesday from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(04 April 2012 19:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 5 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Thursday 5 April from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market.... more
(05 April 2012 06:00)