Chemical News
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German coal commission details still under intense debate: report May 21,2018
Debate about framework details for Germany's so-called 'coal phase-out commission' intensified this week ahead of the planned launch later this month and reports of compromise emerging between the economy and environment ministries. According to the latest draft for the constituting decree seen by German daily Handelsblatt, the 2030 target to cu...>>>
Italy coalition views green policies, greater Russia ties May 21,2018
A draft agreement drawn up by the two parties that intend to form a ruling coalition in Italy suggests a move towardgreener policies including electric vehicles and increased renewables, while politically it proposes closer ties with principal gas supplier Russia. The document between the Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) and Lega parties, dated May 15, ...>>>
California solar output sets new record: Cal-ISO data May 21,2018
Total California solar output hit a new record this week, placing sun-driven generation at the top of the overall California generation mix so far this month. California solar photovoltaic generation hit a new record Thursday at about 100.2 GWh/d, according to Cal-ISO data, breaking the previous solar PV record of 100.1 GWh/d set May 7. Solar...>>>
100 Spot Commodities Price Chart - 18/05/2018 May 21,2018
It was assessed by SunSirs that in the tracked 100 spot commodities,33 commodities increased in prices, 21 fell and 46 remained unchanged on 18/05/2018.The largest rises were Coke (3.12%),Acetic acid (2.82%),Methanol (1.72%),while the largest falls wer...>>>
US-China put trade war 'on hold,' China scraps antidumping duty on US sorghum May 22,2018
US-China trade war entered what could be a de-escalation phase after US Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that both the countries were "putting the trade war on hold" as they were working on an agreement. Meanwhile, Chinese Ministry of Commerce terminated the antidumping investigation on US sorghum Friday as these measures were deemed to be not in p...>>>
Major changes needed before US lifts sanctions on Iran: US Secretary Pompeo May 22,2018
The US wants Iran to comply with a dozen "major" demands before it lifts new and re-imposed sanctions, and is unlikely to offer any near-term sanctions relief on Iranian oil trade, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday. In a speech at the Heritage Foundation, Pompeo laid out the list of changes the Trump administration was seeking from I...>>>
Oil rises as US takes tough line on Iran, Venezuela May 22,2018
The oil complex strengthened Monday as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo promised America would place the "strongest sanctions in history" on Iran unless Tehran took steps to change its behavior. NYMEX June crude rose 96 cents Monday to $72.24/b. ICE July Brent settled 71 cents higher at $79.22/b. ICE August Brent rose 77 cents to $79.26/b, leav...>>>
Unplanned outages cut Norwegian natural gas flows by 22.4 mil cu m: Gassco May 22,2018
Natural gas flows from Norway's Kristin and Kvitebjorn fields were cut by 22.4 million cubic meters Monday owing to unplanned outages that started last Wednesday, Norwegian gas grid operator Gassco said. Kristin, Kvitebjorn cuts to continue until late May 22.4 million cu m cut to continue Tuesday Two more unnamed fields in unplanned outages Su...>>>
Analysis: Prolific oil, gas production pushes Permian takeaway capacity to brink May 22,2018
As oil and natural gas production continues to boom in the Permian Basin, producers such as WPX and Laredo Energy are pursuing efforts to develop infrastructure in an effort to avoid low basin differentials. WPX Energy, like so many other exploration-and-production companies lately, have shifted the bulk of their capital expenditures to the Perm...>>>
Dominion seeking coal through end-2020 for Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center May 22,2018
Dominion Energy is seeking an unspecified amount of term coal for its Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center (VCHEC), according to a company official. Daniel Carro, Dominion's manager of market origination, said the company is looking to buy contract coal starting in July 2018 and running through the end of 2020. Dominion issued the solicitation ...>>>
Low UK power prices to challenge renewables investment by 2030: study May 22,2018
Lower wholesale power prices in the UK and high renewables capacity are expected to pose a challenge to subsidy-free wind and solar power projects 2030, a research paper from consultancy Cornwall Insight published Monday said. No new renewables subsidies by 2025 Up to 18 GW may be needed to decommission thermal The paper entitled "Wholesale ...>>>
S Korea's Hanwha General Chemical to shut Daesan PTA plant Monday, declares force majeure May 22,2018
South Korean purified terephthalic acid maker Hanwha General Chemical will shut its 700,000 mt/year Daesan plant later tonight, a source close to the company confirmed Monday. The shutdown, in response to a problem detected Thursday, led to the declaration of force majeure earlier today, the source added. While the source did not give out de...>>>
Chevron Phillips Chemical sees process upset at Texas unit: TCEQ May 22,2018
Chevron Phillips Chemical reported flaring at a steam cracker located at its Baytown, Texas, facility, the company said Monday in a regulatory filing. The unit began flaring Saturday night as a result of a cracked gas compressor shutdown, which caused venting to the flare, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality filing. An ...>>>
Sulfur limit change could alter South Korea's demand profile for thermal coal May 22,2018
South Korea's adoption of an annual sulfur limit of 0.4% as-received basis for thermal coal used to fuel its coal-fired power plants could radically change the Asian country's demand profile for imports, according to market sources familiar with the move. Power plant operators in South Korea, including the five state-owned generators, will have ...>>>
100 Spot Commodities Price Chart - 21/05/2018 May 22,2018
It was assessed by SunSirs that in the tracked 100 spot commodities,38 commodities increased in prices, 24 fell and 38 remained unchanged on 21/05/2018.The largest rises were Steam coal (5.46%),Asphalt (3.11%),Styrene (1.82%),while the largest falls we...>>>
Factbox: China-US trade truce could boost bilateral energy trade May 23,2018
China and the US agreed this weekend to put a halt to their trade dispute after the former agreed to buy more US goods, key among them being LNG and oil - a move which could significantly transform global trade flows. According to a joint statement released May 19, the US will send a team to China to work out the details of increased energy expo...>>>
100 Spot Commodities Price Chart - 22/05/2018 May 23,2018
It was assessed by SunSirs that in the tracked 100 spot commodities,27 commodities increased in prices, 23 fell and 50 remained unchanged on 22/05/2018.The largest rises were Asphalt (3.35%),Palm Oil (1.85%),Stainless steel plate (1.54%),while the larg...>>>
EU approves new rules for waste management, recycling May 23,2018
EU member states Tuesday approved new rules that will prevent waste and, where this is not possible, significantly step up recycling of municipal and packaging waste, the European Commission said in a press release. "The new legislation strengthens the 'waste hierarchy,' i.e. it requires Member States to take specific measures to prioritize prev...>>>
Turkey launches anti-dumping investigation into Iranian polystyrene May 23,2018
Turkey's Ministry of Economy has launched an anti-dumping investigation into Iranian polystyrene, according to a Turkish market source and local media Tuesday. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Iranian polystyrene accounted for 12,334 mt of the 56,063 mt of polystyrene imports into Turkey, excluding expandable polystyrene, according to data from T...>>>
Olin raises North American caustic soda prices May 23,2018
Olin, the largest global chlor-alkali producer, is raising its prices for caustic soda in North America for a second time this year, according to a letter to customers obtained by S&P Global Platts. The letter said Olin would increase off-schedule prices of both diaphragm-grade and membrane-grade caustic soda by $40/dst in the US and C$50/dmt in...>>>