ICIS

Could Bosnia and Herzegovina's move to diversify away from Russian gas complicate its path towards EU integration? As southeast Europe moves to reduce its reliance on Russian gas, Bosnia and Herzegovina's plans to build a pipeline to access US LNG are drawing scrutiny over compliance with EU energy market rules on competition, transparency and climate policy. Speaking to ICIS, a European Commission spokesperson said: "Strengthening energy security must not undermine climate objectives." Bosnia and Herzegovina was just 26% compliant with Energy Community rules in 2025, compared with 53% for Montenegro, highlighting the gap it still needs to close as the country pursues EU membership. With US-backed energy infrastructure gaining momentum across the region, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s next steps could set an important precedent for how southeast Europe balances energy security, diversification and its path towards EU integration. Read the full insight to see what comes next: http://spkl.io/60407KCwp

Introducing our LinkedIn newsletter, bringing you a weekly roundup of the biggest stories shaping global energy markets — from battery storage economics and gas inventory management to carbon market movements. This week’s theme: Flexibility becomes the new competitive advantage. 📩 Subscribe to get the latest energy market insights delivered straight to your inbox.

𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗠𝗘 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 | 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Innovation doesn't always come from the largest organisations. The finalists of the Best Product Innovation from an SME have demonstrated the role small businesses play in bringing new developments to market, tackling challenges across construction, energy storage and sustainable manufacturing. Congratulations to: Navocem Infra Industries Pvt. Ltd. for Navocem - 100% Clinker Free Cement, a low-carbon cement that replaces clinker with recycled industrial materials, significantly reducing emissions while maintaining construction-grade performance. POLYKEY POLYMERS for its Innovative fluorine-free and water-processable binder material for next-generation batteries, offering a PFAS-free alternative to conventional battery binders while avoiding the use of toxic solvents. Econic Technologies Ltd for Redeeming CO₂: Sustainable Polyols from Renewable Carbon, a technology that upcycles captured CO₂ into polyols used in products such as foams, coatings and elastomers.

Europe’s recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE) market is becoming more segmented as demand for recycled content grows. Recent movements in virgin LDPE and different rLDPE grades highlight how pricing can vary across the market, while regulatory requirements are driving the packaging sector’s need for specialised materials. As the market evolves, so does ICIS’ coverage, with a new price assessment for flexible natural transparent rLDPE pellets added to its existing recycled polyethylene (rPE) pricing service. Our expanded range of assessments gives businesses greater clarity on market conditions, supporting more informed procurement, contracting and investment decisions. To find out more, please visit: https://lnkd.in/e5WS3DUs #CircularEconomy

𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 | 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 The transition to a lower-carbon energy system depends on projects that can move beyond ambition and deliver at scale. The finalists in the Green Project of the Year category of the ICIS Innovation Awards 2026 are doing exactly that. Congratulations to: Honeywell Technologies for the DG Fuels Louisiana Sustainable Aviation Fuel Project, a major initiative helping scale sustainable aviation fuel production by converting waste biomass into lower-carbon fuel. Borouge International for Driving Low-Carbon Floating Solar PV at Utility Scale through Circular HDPE Innovation, demonstrating how circular materials can strengthen renewable energy infrastructure while reducing emissions. Indorama Ventures – Indovinya for Renewable Energy Self Generation, an industrial-scale renewable power project that combines decarbonisation with greater energy resilience and security.

Historically, ammonia costs have had little impact on caprolactam and adipic acid – until late last year, when ammonia prices in Europe rose above benzene prices. In the first episode of the ICIS Ammonia podcast, Sylvia Tranganida joins with Meeta Ramnani to explore what recent ammonia market developments mean further down the value chain, and what producers and procurement teams should be watching – from the short-term outlook and downstream demand to the implications of CBAM. Listen to the full conversation on our news page:  https://lnkd.in/eWpmxV8z

What's behind Europe's rising gas prices ahead of winter? In the snapshot below, Andreas Schroeder explains the latest challenges facing the gas market as the price spread between Asia and Europe narrows.  Andreas also featured in The Guardian earlier this week, where he examined the European Union's gas supply pressures ahead of winter.    His analysis comes as Europe has filled less than 54% of its gas storage capacity so far, a noticeable drop from the level achieved by the same point in 2025. Read more to discover why European gas prices are on the rise: https://lnkd.in/e7i7fbhd

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 | 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 This year's Carbon Reduction Award finalists of the ICIS Innovation Awards 2026 highlight the power of innovation to tackle carbon emissions across sectors, from transforming cement production and repurposing industrial waste to expanding lower-carbon biofuel feedstock supplies. Congratulations to: Navocem Infra Industries Pvt. Ltd. (Mihir Kothari) for 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗺 - 𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, a low-carbon cement solution that eliminates clinker and uses recycled industrial waste to reduce emissions by nearly 80% while delivering performance comparable to conventional cement. Navozzo Materials Private Limited (Utkarsh Baxi) for 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗘𝗱𝗴𝗲, an innovative concrete additive that transforms mining waste into a high-performance material capable of reducing cement use in concrete while maintaining strength and lowering costs. Corteva Agriscience, in collaboration with Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables (BCAR), for 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗮, a pioneering approach to expanding lower-carbon biofuel feedstock production by utilising unplanted winter acreage without displacing primary crops. #ICISInnovationAwards #CarbonReduction #Sustainability

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮'𝘀 𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀? With geopolitical tensions continuing to reshape global base oil flows and tighten the availability of virgin base oils, India's focus on circularity is gaining momentum. The development of stronger re-refined base oil (RRBO) supply chains is becoming increasingly important for improving supply security and reducing reliance on imports. Ahead of his speaking session at the 8th ICIS Indian Base Oils and Lubricants Conference, Ashutosh Pandey, Head - Safety & Environment at Idemitsu Lube India Private Ltd, shares his perspective on the trends shaping the market. For more insights like these, register your place for the 8th ICIS Indian Base Oils and Lubricants Conference in Mumbai from 12-13 August: http://spkl.io/60427JYOe

Is demand destruction the next major risk for the chemical industry? Middle East tensions are pushing oil prices towards $90/barrel and disrupting key trade routes, while smartphone sales have fallen sharply, a sign that demand pressures are already taking hold. As higher costs put further pressure on demand, could weaker consumption ultimately have a bigger impact on chemical markets than supply-side disruption? Vote in our poll below and tell us what you think will shape chemical markets in the months ahead.