Toray Industries agreed to sell its 47.1% stake in Indonesian PET producer PT. Petnesia Resindo to PT. Pioneer Polyindo Complex. The deal aligns with Toray's strategy to enhance capital efficiency through portfolio optimization.
Piramal Pharma Solutions plans to commission a 4.3MW solar plant at its UK Morpeth facility by Q1 2027, covering 22% of electricity needs. The initiative targets a reduction of 20,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent over 25 years.
Unions and thinktanks urge the UK government to expand the National Wealth Fund to invest more in infrastructure, including gigafactories, hydrogen, and steel projects. They argue this would unlock lower energy bills and revitalize industrial heartlands.
Ukrainian forces launched over 1,000 drones at Russia, damaging the Moscow Oil Refinery and residential buildings during the largest attack on the capital.
China's August 2026 electricity consumption reached 1.0332 trillion kWh with a record peak load of 1.56 billion kW. Additionally, the first national standard for perovskite photovoltaics was officially released.
Chile's Central Bank has cut growth forecasts amid rising inflation and fuel costs, which have significantly increased food prices and strained household budgets across the country.
Amidst political tensions, American chains like McDonald's and KFC are expanding rapidly in China, while Chinese brands such as Mixue and Luckin Coffee enter the U.S. market. This bilateral growth reflects strong consumer demand and cross-cultural dining trends in both nations.
European equities rose led by technology, while falling oil prices eased market nerves despite energy sector declines. Pharma stocks were mixed, with AstraZeneca slipping post-drug recommendation and Ipsen dropping over 6%.
ICIS launched a new CFR Vietnam PVC spot price assessment on September 18 to enhance market transparency, acknowledging Vietnam's position as the world's second-largest PVC importer driven by infrastructure and flooring demand.
An EU report warns that high cost premiums, reaching up to 3.7 times virgin plastic prices, hinder the commercial viability of chemical recycling despite regulatory mandates. Current technologies struggle to bridge this gap without significant subsidies.
Arkema has commissioned a new 3,000-cubic-meter storage facility for glacial acrylic acid in Ulsan, South Korea. This expansion enhances regional supply resilience and logistics efficiency to meet growing Northeast Asian demand.
US refineries operate near physical limits with diesel inventory 13% below average, driving prices above $6 per gallon. Despite potential government support via the Defense Production Act, capacity expansion cannot resolve the immediate supply shortage due to long construction timelines.
Emerson partners with Technip Energies to automate SkyNRG's new sustainable aviation fuel plant in the Netherlands, targeting 100,000 tons annual capacity by 2028. The project utilizes waste oils and advanced control systems to comply with EU sustainability mandates.
Chevron intends to expand its LNG portfolio in Argentina, the Mediterranean, Africa, and Australia to address supply security concerns arising from Middle East conflicts. This strategy aims to diversify supply sources and reduce reliance on single transport channels for long-term contracts.
Oil prices fell below $100 per barrel as recovering Saudi exports and US-Iran diplomatic hopes eased supply fears, despite ongoing Houthi attacks on energy infrastructure. Improved shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz alleviated market concerns.
ICIS Asia's weekly report highlights rising petrochemical and crude prices driven by Middle East tensions, while AI demand boosts select chemical markets and palm oil faces potential tightening in 2027.
Sumitomo Chemical and Tata Electronics signed an MoU to explore a semiconductor materials partnership in India, aiming to establish a stable supply system for domestic chip manufacturing. This collaboration supports India's semiconductor expansion and Sumitomo's ICT growth strategy.
Experts at the Asia-Pacific Petroleum Conference stated that Middle East conflicts are reshaping Asian chemical trade flows, especially for polyolefins and styrene. Supply chains are diversifying amidst logistical disruptions, though long-term impacts hinge on regional stability and policy adjustments.
Japan secured crude oil supplies through November, but December remains uncertain amid escalating Middle East tensions affecting key shipping routes. PAJ chairman Shunichi Kito cited risks following attacks on Saudi pipelines and strategic straits controlling over 90% of Japan's imports.
Two JSW Group companies, JSW Energy and JSW Steel, plan to raise approximately $298 million through short-term bonds in the October-December quarter.
ChemBrief