LONDON (ICIS)–Business activity in the eurozone rose in August, driven by the services sector, which grew at the fastest pace in four months. Growth in services was largely due to the strongest expansion in France since May 2022 as the Olympics took place in Paris, according to S&P Global’s latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data. […]

MADRID (ICIS)–Latin American petrochemicals prices remain in the doldrums due to global oversupply, but domestic producers are hoping a sustained increase in freight costs and protectionist measures could start improving their dented market share. Petrochemicals in the world’s quintessential ‘price taker’ region – Latin America remains a net importer and therefore is at the mercy […]

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–In 2012-2023, China’s hydrogen production more than doubled, with 80% of its 2023 output derived from coal and natural gas. With refineries playing a crucial role in the country’s overall hydrogen production, the ongoing shift toward chemical production is set to further boost demand. This trend is expected to accelerate the adoption of cleaner […]

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The Federal Reserve flagged on Wednesday the threat of rising unemployment, opening the prospect of the first rate cut since it started its campaign to get inflation back to its 2% target. “The economic outlook is uncertain, and the committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate,” the Federal […]

NEW YORK (ICIS)–The US chemical industry, along with other interest-rate sensitive sectors, is poised to get a lift as the US Federal Reserve moves closer towards its first interest rate cut – a move increasingly likely in September. “The economy is moving closer to the point at which it will be appropriate to reduce our […]

LONDON (ICIS)–BASF is moving to “de-risk” its exposure to the electric vehicles sector in response to slowing market dynamics, CEO Markus Kamieth said on Friday, pausing or deciding against several investments connected to the industry. Take-up of electric vehicles has slowed in most markets other than China, Kamieth said, prompting the company to shift strategy, […]

LONDON (ICIS)–Venezuelans go to the polls on Sunday with the hope of a free and fair election, in which case President Nicolas Maduro is widely expected to lose office in a country where the economy has been battered by years of mismanagement, corruption, and US sanctions. In the crude oil-rich country – Venezuela holds the […]

LONDON (ICIS)–On 17 July the government of the Czech Republic approved an update to its hydrogen strategy. The update follows a wide array of European policy developments such as targets for the use of renewable hydrogen in transport and industry, as well as alternative fuels infrastructure regulation on hydrogen refuelling stations. The strategy indicates a […]

HOUSTON (ICIS)– Producer Agrimin Limited said their Mackay Potash project in Western Australia is now advancing towards a final investment decision. In an update on quarterly activities the company said it continues to focus on their project which is planned to be able to manufacture standard and granular sulphate of potash (SOP) products. Current activities […]

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is projecting higher corn production but a decrease in soybean output according to the July World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report. In the monthly update corn production for 2024-2025 is forecast up by 240 million bushels on greater planted and harvested area from the June Acreage […]