Americas top stories: weekly summary

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News from the week ended 13 December 2019.

US, China to suspend 15 Dec tariffs, US to cut other duties
The US and China have agreed to suspend a new round of tariffs that they had planned to impose on each other on 15 December.

Major US Jan-Oct chem exports rise 22%, imports fall 3%
Exports of the 15 major chemicals tracked by ICIS rose by 22% in January through October versus the same time last year.

US Olin to close 229,000 dmt/year caustic soda and vinylidene unit in Texas by late 2020
US Olin will close a chlor-alkali facility and accompanying vinylidene chloride (VDC) facility in Freeport, Texas, by the end of 2020, the company announced.

Groups welcome House Democrat, White House deal on USMCA
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) welcomed a deal regarding the revised North American trade agreement that US President Donald Trump had reached with Democrats in the country’s lower legislative chamber.

Construction of Canada’s InterPipeline’s new PDH/PP complex over 50% complete
Canada’s Interpipeline has completed 50% of the construction work at their new propane dehydrogenation (PDH) and polypropylene (PP) complex in Strathcona County, Alberta, Canada, according to a November 2019 construction update posted on the company’s website.

INEOS Styrolution, Agilyx advance PS chemical recycling US plant
Germany’s INEOS Styrolution and US-based Agilyx are advancing the development of a polystyrene (PS) chemical recycling facility in Channahon, Illinois, capable of processing up to 100 tonnes/day of post-consumer PS, the companies said.