Americas top stories: weekly summary

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Americas for the week ended 24 May.

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California chemical producers asked to curtail water use
California has asked the state’s chemical manufacturers to reduce water consumption because of severe drought conditions, but there is no indication that production has been affected.

US chemical distributors in ‘panic and chaos’ over label deadline
A federal mandate for immediate changes in product labelling has triggered “panic and chaos” among US chemical distributors, industry officials said, and the government has been asked to delay its order for six months.

US May propylene falls on long supply, ample inventories
US May propylene contracts were fully settled on Friday, down on ample inventories and long supply.

Latin America PVC prices decline amid global trade shifts
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prices into Latin America are declining for June driven by ample supply in the US, moderate demand in Asia and general global dynamics.

Biodiesel producers ramping up ahead of EPA mandate
US biodiesel production looks to be gaining speed and the market is seeing more supply of co-product crude glycerine as the sector awaits the federal blending mandate expected by 1 June.

Pesticides targeted in new US bee colony rescue effort
Pesticide and herbicide producers and their products will be getting increased scrutiny and face possible bans as the federal government ramps up a major campaign to rescue the nation’s honey bee pollinators.

First US June BD nomination emerges at 7 cent/lb hike
Market participants had speculated that butadiene contracts would rise in June, although the targeted hike was much greater than the increase that some had been expecting.

US Pale 60 base oils gain South American interest
Interest in Pale 60 oils from the US is gaining momentum in the South American market, as parties in both regions see opportunities for this naphthenic oil grade.

Solvay developing all-plastic auto engine for 2016 racing test
Chemical producer Solvay plans to develop a plastic automotive engine to be tested in a race car in 2016. The Polimotor 2 is an idea that dates back to the 1980s when a prototype was actually raced, though never installed in a street-model car.