The U.S. Treasury said it will lift sanctions on the core empire of Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska, including aluminum giant Rusal and its parent En+, watering down the toughest penalties imposed since Moscow’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. SEE MORE US December propylene contracts settled at a decrease of 8 cents/lb from the prior month, sources confirmed, amid improved production and a seasonal lull in demand. SEE MORE China’s acetic acid spot market prices may continue their downtrend after a brief pause in the second half of December due to relatively stable supply and weak demand. SEE MORE The U.S. dollar was on the backfoot on Wednesday, as markets awaited signals from the Federal Reserve on its plans for next year. SEE MORE German chemistry company BASF (ETR:BAS) is planning on jolting the electric vehicle industry with a brand new battery formula, which relies less on pricey nickel. SEE MORE