Chemicals News Today

Chennai's persistent LPG shortage is severely disrupting auto-rickshaw drivers' livelihoods, causing lost income and operational challenges. This highlights vulnerabilities in the informal transport economy and urban energy systems, affecting city-wide mobility.

The global antiscalants for desalination plants market is forecast to grow at a 5.8% CAGR to 2035, driven by rising water scarcity and expanding RO capacity. Desalination capacity will exceed 150M cubic meters/day by 2030.

A fire at a new Ghaziabad chemical factory, manufacturing paint spray and oxygen canisters, required 12 fire engines over an hour to control. No casualties reported, but the factory lacked a fire NOC.

India is resorting to LPG spot buying from the US and other nations to bridge the West Asia supply gap, ensuring domestic availability. Domestic output increased by 20% to 46,000 tonnes daily, diversifying imports from 10 to 15 countries.

Synhelion produces renewable synthetic fuels for under EUR 1,000/ton (EUR 0.8/liter) at scale. Validated by DNV, their process uses 3x less electricity and biogenic waste, making sustainable fuels cost-competitive with fossil fuels for transportation.

China pledges to stabilize fertilizer supply and prices for spring planting, crucial for over 60% of grain output. Domestic urea futures rose 9% to 2,007 yuan ($294) amid global disruptions, still below US Gulf's $710/ton.

Warmer spring weather in Northwest Europe has cut demand for heating fuels like propane and gasoil. Propane prices hit a seven-month low premium, reflecting significantly lower buying interest in the market.

Toluene prices in India remain firm at ₹90–96/kg but face softening momentum due to weaker crude oil and sluggish downstream demand. Improved supply conditions and refinery inventory pressure are weighing on the market. While geopolitical risks provide support, the overall outlook remains cautious with a slight downward bias in the near term.

The Pachpadra refinery fire, a day before its Rs 80,000 crore inauguration, exposed India's industrial safety failures. The Rs 6,000 crore unit was damaged, with 68 cumulative accident tolls in 2026 highlighting a compliance collapse.

HOCL resumed commercial production at its Phenol & Cumene plant in Kochi on April 24, 2026, following a temporary shutdown. This marks a return to normal operations after a force majeure event.