Europe top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 3 December.

INSIGHT: Europe chems supply woes deepen as contagion fears grow
The supply chain woes that have dogged the European chemicals sector through the pandemic and 2021 economic rebound have taken a turn for the worse as demand-driven tightness is exacerbated by weather issues, the resurgence of coronavirus infections and the latest variant.

Explosion at Eni’s Livorno refinery brought under control by fire service
An explosion at Italy’s energy major Eni at its Livorno refinery on Tuesday afternoon has been brought under control, according to emergency services.

Europe PC supply stays tight as price discussions face heat from energy costs
Europe December and Q1 polycarbonate (PC) contract talks are being influenced by a tight supply/demand balance and producers grappling with rising energy costs, according to market sources.

Spain chems, energy majors must step up green efforts to keep industrial fabric – trade union
Some Spanish petrochemical firms are investing in decarbonisation efforts in line with the EU’s Green Deal, but the plastics sector, or the energy majors’ upstream strategic plans, lack the required ambition, according to a director at the country’s largest trade union.

Crude prices rise further following OPEC+ decision
Benchmark crude prices rose by more than $1/bbl on Friday following on from gains made in the previous session, OPEC and its allies (OPEC+) announced that they will maintain plans to raise production by 400,000 bbl/day in January 2022.