Chemicals News Today

Global biostimulants market, valued at billions annually, offers potential for grain and oilseed growers. Rising input costs, fertiliser restrictions, and extreme weather trigger interest in biostimulants, promising improved crop health and quality.

March 2024's fertilizer industry trends show a decline in commodity prices. Urea (FOB) dropped 10.53%, from USD 361/MT to USD 323/MT, and DAP (CFR) fell roughly 4.27% from the previous year.

OCI Global and COMPO EXPERT have committed to sustainability by beginning the production of NPK fertilizers with low-carbon ammonia, highlighting their dedication to reducing carbon footprint in the Indian Commodities Market.

US ethanol prices see a 2.5% raise fueling the Midwest wholesale rack prices to 183.99 cents/gallon ahead of summer driving season. Despite this, Brazil's anhydrous ethanol prices faced a 0.5% drop to 216.4 cents/gallon.

Global Hexene prices converge to around USD 1800/MT, as rates rise in North America but face deflation elsewhere. As Q2 2024 starts, the varied pricing trend stabilizes, predicting minor spot market fluctuations next quarter.

US acetic acid market expands significantly amidst soaring prices primarily attributed to increased methanol costs, its main feedstock. Correspondingly, a robust manufacturing sector and rising demand from downstream industries, specifically construction, have pushed the PMI above 50.

Falling crude oil prices last week led to slashed Ethylene Dichloride costs globally. The dip is also fueled by reduced demand from the Poly Vinyl Chloride market and a slowdown in the construction sector.

European Mixed Xylene prices dropped in end-April 2024 due to poor derivative demand and crude oil futures volatility. As May begins, mixed projections surface, considering high costs and weak downstream demand.

Acrylic Products unit, now independent and renamed Polyvantis, specializes in high-quality PLEXIGLAS semi-finished items, making it one of the world's top polymethyl methacrylate manufacturers. Its forthcoming merger with Functional Forms will establish a global leader in acrylic.

Post years of unforeseen challenges, the European recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) market faces uncertainty due to volatile feedstock prices and inconsistent demand. Cheap Chinese PET imports in 2022-23 impacted sustainability of European producers.