Europe top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 25 October.

Sentiment in Europe jet fuel market dented by crude instability and soaring stocks
Bearing the brunt of low demand and a supply overhang, sentiment in the European jet kerosene spot market has been further dulled by upstream Brent crude fluctuations and soaring regional stock levels hitting their highest since August 2021.

Eni to close Versalis crackers, PE plant as it pivots to low carbon, specialty production with €2 billion investment
Italy’s Eni plans to close its Versalis crackers at Brindisi and Priolo, plus a polyethylene (PE) site at Ragusa as it refocuses on low carbon and specialty chemical production through a €2 billion investment over the next five years.

Dow to review Europe polyurethanes amid ‘increasing challenges’ of regulation
Dow is set to review the competitiveness of several assets in Europe, particularly around its polyurethanes operations, amid “increasing challenges” presented by the region’s regulatory environment, CEO Jim Fitterling said in a Q3 results statement.

Europe ECH prices dip for first time since January as raw material costs ease
Europe epichlorohydrin (ECH) freely negotiated contract prices have softened in October for the first time since January 2024 as propylene feedstocks costs ease in a muted and well supplied ECH market.

INSIGHT: ‘Bridge’ countries bring new opportunities as global trade flows fragment – Bertschi
Changing trade flows driven by increasing friction between China, the US and their allies mean there will be demand for new chemical logistics routes and infrastructure, according to the executive chairman of chemical logistics group Bertschi.

Europe PE/PP October contracts down on monomer and stagnant demand
European polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) contracts have been agreed down slightly beyond the monomer drop for October.