Chemicals News Today

India's first 100,000 MTPA DME plant by Balaji Amines starts production, aiming to cut LPG imports and promote cleaner fuel. It targets 8% blending, potentially rising to 20%, boosting energy self-reliance.

Iraq imports $3B in plastic annually, generating 10,000 tons daily. A ban on plastic bags and taxes on local production are planned, aiming to boost its underdeveloped petrochemical industry and reduce 3 million tons of annual waste.

LPG sales in April dipped 13% overall, with household supplies down 11% and commercial cylinders 10% lower, due to the Strait of Hormuz closure choking imports. Industrial supplies plunged 82%, forcing shifts to alternatives.

Global fertilizer crunch, with prices up 90% for Egyptian urea, drives farmers to alternatives like manure and human urine. Sales of bio-based products surge, but scaling and consistency pose challenges amid rising food insecurity.

Middle East tensions are driving Korean eateries and shops to curb packaging and trash. Petrochemical costs, up 3-4x for some materials and 13% for PE, force businesses to limit takeout and reduce waste to offset rising expenses.

Dola Sen, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce Chairperson, stated on May 23, 2026, that India-US trade ties show promise but face constraints. The committee is evaluating relations across agriculture, textiles, automobiles, steel, fisheries, and chemicals.

Global oil prices slipped below $96/barrel following reports that the United States and Iran have reached a final agreement, with official confirmation expected within the next few hours. Market sentiment turned sharply bearish as traders anticipate easing geopolitical tensions, potential sanction relief, and improved crude supply outlook from the Middle East. The development could significantly impact global energy, petrochemical, and polymer markets in the near term.

IPL Biologicals inaugurated a cGMP-compliant facility in Vadodara, boosting bio-manufacturing capacity to 70,000 L/day. This 12-acre plant supports sustainable farming, aiming to reduce chemical fertilizer use by 50%, cut subsidies, and improve soil health.

ARCI researchers developed a cost-effective thermal battery material, increasing heat capacity by 45% with 1% spinel oxide nanoparticles. This innovation enhances clean energy storage, reducing costs for solar power and waste heat recovery, supporting India's energy goals.

Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) demand across Europe weakened sharply in May, with distributors and traders reporting near “blackout” buying conditions after aggressive purchasing during March and April. Converters are now limiting purchases to immediate requirements as lower import offers for July-August cargoes emerge from the US, China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. Weak downstream consumption, especially in stretch film packaging, has further pressured operating rates and reduced spot prices from recent highs. Market participants indicate that elevated polymer prices triggered demand destruction, while buyers are now avoiding inventory build-up amid expectations of softer import pricing and improved supply availability in the coming months.