Jan 30 (Reuters) - Petrochemicals maker LyondellBasell

on Friday posted a surprise loss for the fourth quarter

and said it aims to save $1.3 billion by the end of 2026, as it

continues ‌to keep a tight lid on costs amid volatility in

feedstock ​and energy prices.

LyondellBasell's shares, however, rose 1.5% in ‍premarket

trading as the company said it ⁠expects to ⁠generate an additional

$500 million of cash flow this year.

Chemicals companies ‌have been struggling due to ​weaker

demand and rising raw material costs in key markets such as

Europe, where the ⁠rigorous regulatory landscape has ‍compelled

businesses ​to reassess their approach in the region.

Last year, LyondellBasell said it would sell four European

assets ‍and was planning brief shutdowns at plants in Germany and

Texas for maintenance and market alignment.

During the reported quarter, higher feedstock and energy

costs coupled with lower prices for its products led adjusted

core ​profit ‍at LyondellBasell's olefins & polyolefins-Americas

unit to drop by 67% to $164 million.

Olefins are used to manufacture ​polymers such as plastic.

Meanwhile, adjusted core profit in the intermediates &

derivatives segment, which makes oxyfuels and intermediate

chemicals, fell 18% to $205 million from a year ago.

The company posted an adjusted loss of 26 cents per share

for the ​quarter ended December 31, compared with analysts'

estimate of a profit of 13 cents per share, according to data

compiled by ‍LSEG.