Net Zero policies may come under pressure as profitablity forces banks and energy giants to rethink rejection of fossil fuels

LONDON (ICIS)–Tell me what you think about Net Zero and I will tell you who you are – has become a zeitgeist of the energy sector and society at large in the past decade or so. After all, “science has settled” on man-made climate change, the media have certified this as “fact” and activists in their teens […]

Corn acreage down 3% while soybean plantings rise by 3%

HOUSTON (ICIS)–This spring US farmers planted less corn than last year but conversely increased their soybeans sowings, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the acreage estimate report. The agency said corn planted area for all purposes in 2024 is estimated at 91.5 million acres, down by 3% or 3.17 million acres year […]

Metso awarded kiln and cooler package order for Galvani fertilizer plant in Brazil

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Global sustainable technology firm Metso announced it has been awarded  an order by Brazilian producer Galvani Fertilizante to deliver a lime calcination kiln and cooler package for their fertilizer plant in Irece, Brazil. The company said Galvani is taking a significant step at their Irece project by introducing sustainable technological innovation with this new […]

Flat chemical prices to increase in coming quarters; volumes booming

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Most chemical prices have stabilized, and a few are posting small rises, a trend which should strengthen in coming quarters as global manufacturing picks up, executives at US-headquartered adhesives producer HB Fuller said on Thursday. Celeste Mastin, CEO at the company, said sales volumes in Q2 had posted a “strong performance” and came […]

Chile’s crusade against plastics prompting stronger sustainability push by firms

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Chile remains at the forefront of restrictive plastics regulations in Latin America as the whole political spectrum tries to capitalize in rules which resonate with public opinion, according to the CEO at the country’s trade group Asipla. Magdalena Balcells added that, however, the regulations have prompted a larger push for sustainability among companies […]

Canada chemical industry flags concerns about ‘greenwashing’ amendment

TORONTO (ICIS)–Canada’s chemical industry is concerned about the impacts from a legislative amendment to address “greenwashing”, an industry executive said on Friday. The amendment to the Competition Act, contained in an omnibus bill, seeks to address claims about the environmental benefits of products. Importantly, it also seeks to address claims about the environmental benefits of […]

Chile’s crusade against plastics prompting stronger sustainability push by firms

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Chile remains at the forefront of restrictive plastics regulations in Latin America as the whole political spectrum tries to capitalize in rules which resonate with public opinion, according to the CEO at the country’s trade group Asipla. Magdalena Balcells added that, however, the regulations have prompted a larger push for sustainability among companies […]

Higher import tariffs one leg of wider plan to save Brazil’s besieged chemicals producers

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Proposals to sharply increase chemicals import tariffs are only one of the three aspects Brazil’s chemicals producers have proposed to the government to save their “besieged” operations, according to the CEO at trade group Abiquim. Andre Passos added that the industry has also proposed to the government a structural plan to reduce natural […]

Glimmers of hope for Europe acetone and phenol derivative chain in a difficult climate; freight/logistics key

LONDON(ICIS)–European downstream demand remains low due to inflation and high interest rates. Add logistics issues and a continuous flow of imports to that, and the doom of European petrochemical industry begins. But with the recent reduction in interest rates by ECB and increased tariffs on Asian EVs, there is hope that the acetone and phenol […]

Container rates rise on peak season surcharges, but rate of growth slowing

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Rates for shipping containers continue to surge as carriers are implementing peak season surcharges while capacity remains tight from Red Sea diversions, but some shipping analysts think there are signs that the dramatic rate of growth may be slowing, which leads off this week’s logistics roundup.     Published by: www.icis.com Adam Yanelli 14-Jun-2024