ICIS - Search Articles by Date : October 18 2010 - October 24 2010

Japanese bioplastics advance
Companies accelerate the drive for bioplastics and increasing biodegradability on the back of government and social reform Japanese chemical.... more
(18 October 2010 16:30)

Japanese chemical industry reinvents itself to counter pressures from the Middle East and China
More petrochemical capacity from the Middle East and China will force Japan to shut down crackers. But the country's technical skills could give it.... more
(18 October 2010 16:30)

Japan's chemical industry shifts to prepare for a new reality
The chemical industry continues to make major structural changes to its DNA to boost competitiveness Osamu Kano The Chemical Daily .... more
(18 October 2010 16:31)

Specialty chemical producers target China
Slower growth in the specialty chemical sector in Europe is prompting producers to increase their focus on China for investment and growth As.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Japan's automakers and chemical companies boost cooperation
The dynamics between Japan's automakers and chemical companies have changed considerably, enabling the latter to better provide solutions to.... more
(18 October 2010 16:31)

New projects and permanent plant shutdowns: October 5-11, 2010
more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Projects: Colombia's Ecopetrol mulls $5.5bn investment in petrochemicals and polymers
The company's petrochemical and polymers project is in the first planning stages Colombia's state-operated energy and chemical fim, Ecopetrol.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

US chemical profile: PET
USES Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) comes in both an amorphous (transparent) form and a semi-crystalline (opaque and white) thermoplastic form..... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Projects news in brief
TOTAL TO DOUBLE CHINA PS PLANT CAPACITY Total Petrochemicals expects to complete the expansion of its polystyrene (PS) plant at Foshan in China's.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Energy and feedstocks: global naphtha markets bullish on supply and demand
Asian naphtha has continued its bull run, scaling up to fresh five-month-high prices in tandem with global crude futures. Meanwhile, stronger.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Feedstocks news in brief
CNOOC TO PAY $1.08BN FOR SHALE PROJECT CNOOC, China's largest offshore oil and gas producer, will pay $1.08bn (€767m) for a 33.3% stake in.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Polymers news in brief
EUROPE Q4 SBR CONTRACT PRICES FALL European styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) fourth-quarter (Q4) contract prices settled at a decrease of.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Polymers: Tight capro feedstock prompts nylon 6 price hike
Popularity in Asia, coupled with tight caprolactam supply, prompts price hikes Price hikes for nylon 6 (polyamide 6) are in the works as demand.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Crude and naphtha fuel Asian BD price surge
Butadiene numbers may bounce back to $2,000/tonne, boosted by upstream costs and improved demand Asian butadiene (BD) prices are expected to.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Cracker closures inevitable in Europe
New wave of Middle East PE capacity to put pressure on European units Several European crackers face closure in the next two to three years as.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Petrochemicals news in brief
CHINA METHANOL-TO-OLEFINS STARTS UP China's coal producer Shenhua Ningxia Coal Industry Group has achieved... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Gains in Asia and European recovery push October IPEX to a four-month high
Further gains in Asia and a ­recovery in Europe have pushed the ICIS Petrochemical Index (IPEX) for October to a four-month high. The index.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Compromise deal upsets the methanol market
An initial European fourth-quarter (Q4) methanol contract had ­settled "reluctantly" as ICIS Chemical Business went to press last week. The.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Chemical market trends: PX 17-month high; methanol prices climb
October US propylene contracts have settled down by 1.5 cents/lb ($33/tonne). The dip - a 2.5% decline from September - was blamed on weaker .... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Key chemical prices
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(18 October 2010 00:00)

Market intelligence: Abundant US natural gas supplies lead to complacency
While the US enjoys an abundance of shale gas today, the lack of an incentive to push for offshore drilling could jeopardize the long-term future.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Think tank: BASF seeks to redefine its chemical strategy
German chemical major BASF's focus on specialties and what it likes to call "systems solutions" is... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

News Focus: DSM mulls major renewables push
more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

This week's world news
UNIVAR TO BUY CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTOR BCS US-based chemical distributor Univar agreed to acquire US-based Basic Chemical Solutions (BCS), an.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Commentary: Japan's petrochemical industry finally starts to consolidate
The chemical industry prepares to finally rationalize its cracker operations for a new reality After years of discussions, Japan's chemical.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Commentary: EU needs new approach to innovation
New approach to EU innovation is vital The chemical industry is taking small steps toward a new low, carbon-emitting future. Germany's BASF ... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Oleochemicals news in brief
EUROPE Q4 GLYCERIN PRICES SETTLE HIGHER European Q4 contract settlements for refined and crude glycerin were agreed up compared with Q3 prices as.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Oleochemicals: Asian oleochemical prices to increase
Tight supplies and palm oil rises lead to expectations of continued upward pressure Rising feedstock costs and tight supplies are fueling the.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Green Chemicals: BASF boosts bioplastic production
more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Intermediates: Maleic anhydride rises on the up
Rising demand for unsaturated polyester resin is boosting maleic anhydride prices Boosted by growth in the construction and automotive end.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

Intermediates news in brief
US ACN UP $50/TONNE US Gulf acrylonitrile (ACN) spot prices rose by $50/tonne (€36/tonne) on the low end amid shortened supply and stable demand.... more
(18 October 2010 00:00)

VIDEO - ICIS news Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 18 October 2010
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Monday 18 October from ICIS news TV . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(18 October 2010 05:21)

VIDEO - ICIS news Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 18 October 2010
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Monday 18 October from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(18 October 2010 14:53)

VIDEO - ICIS news Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 19 October 2010
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Tuesdy 19 October from ICIS news TV . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(19 October 2010 05:15)

VIDEO - ICIS news Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 19 October 2010
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Tuesday 19 October from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the.... more
(19 October 2010 13:00)

VIDEO - ICIS news Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 20 October 2010
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Wednesday 20 October from ICIS news TV . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the.... more
(20 October 2010 05:30)

VIDEO - ICIS news Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 21 October 2010
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Thursday 21 October from ICIS news TV . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(21 October 2010 05:24)

VIDEO - ICIS news Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 21 October 2010
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Thursday 21 October from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all.... more
(21 October 2010 15:17)

VIDEO – ICIS Americas Lunchtime Bulletin 21 October 2010
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for the Americas on Thursday from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(21 October 2010 19:00)

VIDEO - ICIS news Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 22 October 2010
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Friday 22 October from ICIS news TV . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the.... more
(22 October 2010 06:00)

VIDEO - ICIS news Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 22 October 2010
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Friday 22 October from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(22 October 2010 14:00)