Europe top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 19 May.

Fall in Europe MA production and rise in imports fuel ‘de-industrialisation’ fears
The European maleic anhydride (MA) market is increasingly relying on product made outside of the region as it grapples with the industry-wide slowdown in demand exacerbated by the disruption to supply chains from the war in Ukraine and the global economic crisis.

IFA ’23: Global sulphuric acid offers dragged down by weak demand
A bearish mood is lingering across the global sulphuric acid market, as weak demand from downstream fertilizer and chemical producers in Europe and Asia continues to drag offers down.

Distributors could drive net zero carbon agenda
Chemical distributors – positioned right in the middle of supply chains – are in a unique position to drive the net zero carbon and sustainability agenda.

Weak Q1 for German chemicals industry – VCI
The German chemicals industry had a weak start to the year, according to the quarterly report from VCI, the German chemicals industry association on Tuesday.

TiO2 specialist Venator files for bankruptcy protection
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) producer Venator has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US after reaching an agreement with the majority of its shareholders for a recapitalisation plan, the UK-headquartered firm said on Monday.