Europe top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 13 December.

UK election outcome reduces political uncertainty, but regulation still key for chems – CBA
The UK Conservative Party’s landslide victory points to the likely ratification of a Brexit withdrawal deal that would reduce political uncertainty, but preserving regulatory alignment with the EU27 will determine the success of the process for the chemicals sector, according to a trade body chief.

Chemicals face more Brexit uncertainty after UK election
Whatever the result of Thursday’s UK election, the country’s chemical sector and its trading partners can expect months and possibly years more uncertainty over the country’s withdrawal from the EU.

Petchems to drive 2020 oil demand as global trade slowdown bottoms out – OPEC
The global slowdown on trade and has bottomed out and industrial production is likely to rebound, with the petrochemicals and transport sectors expected to continue to drive oil demand growth next year, OPEC said on Wednesday.

Europe TiO2 classification objection period extended to early February 2020
The objection period for the European Commission’s TiO2 carcinogen classification decision has been extended to four months from two months by the European parliament, taking the deadline to 4 February 2020, according to the Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers (TDMA) website.

UK GDP hits lowest since 2012, chems manufacturing falls 2.3% Jul-Oct
UK GDP remained flat in the three months to October, as increases in the services sector were offset by falls in manufacturing as factories continued to record weak performance, the Office for National Statistics said on Tuesday.

INEOS Styrolution, Agilyx advance PS chemical recycling US plant
Germany’s INEOS Styrolution and US-based Agilyx are advancing the development of a polystyrene (PS) chemical recycling facility in Channahon, Illinois, capable of processing up to 100 tonnes/day of post-consumer PS, the companies said on Monday.