Europe top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 24 September.

Lucite International declares force majeure on MMA at Cassel, UK
UK-based methyl methacrylate (MMA) producer Lucite International has declared force majeure (FM) on methacrylate monomers at its Cassel facility in the north of England, market sources said on Friday.

EU chem regulator’s remit to become ‘very difficult’ without more funds – chief
The EU chemicals regulator’s remit of implementing Reach may become “very difficult” in 2019 unless more funds are allocated, the executive director at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) said this week.

Europe PE logistics threatening ‘collapse’ on rail, truck issues
European polyolefin logistics are threatening to ‘collapse’ as a result of continued rail and truck issues, sources in the market said on Wednesday.

INEOS Automotive launches, aims to produce 25,000 units/year by 2021
INEOS aims to produce 25,000 units/year of a new version of the extinct Land Rover Defender by 2021, the European chemical major said on Tuesday.

BASF to acquire Solvay’s global polyamide business for €1.6bn
BASF will acquire the global integrated polyamide business of Belgian producer Solvay for €1.6bn “on a cash and debt-free basis”, the German chemical maker said on Tuesday.

Germany’s Covestro named ICIS Company of the Year
Germany-based Covestro has been named the ICIS Company of the Year, based on 2016 financial metrics.

Europe ethylene cracker margins fall on rise in naphtha, LPG costs
European cracker margins have fallen week on week on the back of a rise in euro-denominated naphtha and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) costs, ICIS margin analysis showed on Monday.

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