This podcast is brought to you by ICIS, a leading global price discovery service for the oil, energy, fertilizer and petrochemical sectors.
The US Department of Agriculture has published the January World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report which shows record corn production at 15.3bn bushels, while soybean production was up by 35m bushel to 4.2bn bushels. In this podcast, senior editors Sylvia Traganida and Mark Milam talk about the report and its impact on the US domestic fertilizer market.
In this podcast, ICIS analysts Joanne Wang, Zhibo Xiao and Jackie Wong discuss the Asian polypropylene (PP) market and outlook in 2024.
Escalating frictions in the Red Sea have prompted serious concerns over supply and trade flows in the polyethylene and polypropylene markets. As a result, there’s – rather unexpectedly - plenty to discuss in the first European PE and PP podcast of 2024. PE & PP editors for Europe and Africa, Ben Lake and Vicky Ellis are joined by Middle East editor, Nadim Salamoun for a run-down on how the various markets of Gulf Coast, South Asia, Europe, Africa and Turkey are reacting to the Red Sea shippi...
LONDON (ICIS)—Imports and exports of oxo-alcohols and plasticizers are being impacted by shipping disruptions connected to security concerns in the Red Sea. - Shipping disruptions come at a time when Asian oxo-alcohols supply is already tight - European DOTP market dependent on imports from Turkey, northeast Asia - Impact of disruptions on European oxo-alcohols market dampened by weak demand outlook In this podcast, ICIS editors Nicole Simpson and Julia Tan discuss the outlook for oxo-alcohols a...
Chemicals executives should not expect current trough conditions for chemical markets to improve in 2024 as the global slump in demand is likely to persist amid growing overcapacity. - China moves to permanently lower economic growth - China will become self-sufficient, posing major challenge to exporting countries - Giant crude oil to chemicals plants may threaten existing industry - Demographics, debt, cost of living crisis weigh on demand - Chemical companies should focus on advanced material...
ICIS analysts Jady Ma and Candy Nie discuss China Acrylonitrile (ACN) market in 2023 and outlook for 2024.
As 2023 draws to a close, the global ICIS fertilizer team discusses market conditions across the sector and the near-term outlook for 2024. So much uncertainty, in relation to demand and price developments, especially in light of disruption to shipping routes and the delicate geopolitical landscape moving into 2024, makes forecasting almost impossible. The final podcast of the year features a special guest, acrylonitrile (ACN) markets editor Nazif Nazmul, giving his expert deep dive into the ACN...
LONDON (ICIS)--European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets are seeing market fundamentals winding down into the end of the year as producers and end users alike seek to destock into the year end. Attention is quickly turning towards Q1 with some restocking anticipated although beyond this expectations pertaining to underlying demand across the chain remain muted. Glycol ethers report editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols editor Nicole Simpson, acrylate esters editor Mat Jolin-Beech and b...
Catalysts have the potential to facilitate a decarbonized economy through technologies such as renewable-based syngas as a feedstock for chemical and energy production. - Verbunds may emerge where renewable-based syngas can be used to make chemicals and fuels - We need steel in the ground now for plants to help us reach 2030, 2050 net zero goals - Catalysts may help fuel industry transformation through crude oil to chemicals (COTC) technology - Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) could be made with ...
In this podcast, ICIS Analysts Jady Ma and Olivia Dai discuss China’s toluene and mixed xylene markets.
As waves of new cracker projects come onstream first in China and then the Middle East, low demand growth means that 18m tonnes of older capacity could have to close globally by 2028 to maintain operating rates and margins. - New wave of ethylene 2026-8 of 27m tonnes, driven by Middle East - To reach 85% operating rate by 2028, 18m tonnes of capacity could close - Equivalent to European ethylene demand in 2023 - More trade barriers likely as regions try to protect industrial base - Scenario of g...
In this podcast, ICIS Analysts Jady Ma, Yoyo Liu and Mason Liang discuss supply and demand changes in China’s phenol /acetone industry and introduce the new price assessment for Shandong.
Chemical companies can harness new sources of data which will help them make strategic decisions on new business models for a less carbon-intensive future. - Chemical companies need analysis of short and long-term market drivers - Data and analytics can forecast long-term supply & demand trends - Decision-making increasingly complex, marrying net zero with the need to remain profitable - New sources of data can help companies measure Scope 1,2 and 3 emissions - There are no agreed standards ...
European melamine editor, Melissa Hurley, looks at the global situation for melamine with Joy Foo and Daniel Lopes as year end approaches. US bleak manufacturing industry outlook continues to impact market sentiment China’s domestic demand slow in January 2024; likely pick up after Lunar New Year Production cost pressure continues for European suppliers Additional reporting from senior editor Daniel Lopes and Market Reporter Joy Foo....
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used by chemical company leaders to help solve their biggest challenges, such as predicting demand and pricing. - AI can develop demand scenarios for chemical markets - Companies should focus AI only on their biggest pain points - AI could measure market sentiment - ICIS is developing algorithms to forecast pricing - AI allows programs to perform tasks normally carried out by humans - Machine learning is an algorithm with the ability to learn - Deep learning i...
LONDON (ICIS)--The outlook for global acrylonitrile (ACN) markets remain bearish as geopolitics-led economic challenges loom for 2024. In this latest podcast, editor of the US ACN report Ramesh Iyer, editor of the Asia ACN report Corey Chew, and editor of the Europe ACN report Nazif Nazmul share the latest developments and expectations for what lies ahead. · Forms of oversupply expected to persist despite feedstocks volatility · Buyers aiming to secure additional contractual volume flexibility ·...
SINGAPORE (ICIS)—Petrochemical markets in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) have faced challenges this year, owing to an unfavourable economic climate and the ongoing regional conflict. In this podcast, ICIS Markets editor Damini Dabholkar and Senior Reporter Nurluqman Suratman discuss recent market conditions in the GCC region and the outlook for 2024, ahead of the 17th Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals (GPCA) Forum in Doha, Qatar.
The Asian and European butanediol (BDO) markets have faced demand weakness throughout 2023 across downstream sectors, and while there is little sign of that changing in the near future given the macroeconomic conditions, new capacities in China are adding yet more uncertainty for market players. Demand to stay limited for remainder of 2023 and into Q1 2024 Increasing supply from China weighing on pricing trends More Chinese producers looking to export outlet, putting additional pressure on Europ...
With COP28 pushing climate change up the news agenda, we untangle the mysteries of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and explain what it means for chemicals and fertilisers. - CBAM puts price on carbon for imports to Europe - Potential cost of €3.2bn for fertiliser importers, based on 2022 imports, prices - Covers iron, steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, hydrogen - Price will be same as existing European Trading System (ETS) - Importers will pay for the cost of carbon -...
The ICIS forecast underlines that average prices of Asia oxo-alcohols are expected to decline by 25-28% in 2024, largely caused because of new supply from the China capacity expansion plans in 2024. Demand recovery is expected to face some challenges because of the weak global economy and geopolitical instabilities. Tight import supply lends support to Asia, Panama Canal logistics issues compound snug supply Demand recovery for oxo-alcohols and plasticisers in 2024 to remain sluggish in Asia, Eu...
European monoethylene glycol (MEG) editor, Melissa Hurley, looks at the global situation for MEG with Judith Wang, Cindy Qiu and Melissa Wheeler as year end approaches. China MEG post inventories hit their highest level in 2023 during November Contract negotiations for 2024 still ongoing in Asia, Europe US TEG spot prices continue to be elevated on strong demand, low availability Additional reporting from senior editor Judith Wang, Cindy Qiu and Melissa Wheeler....
As we’re fast approaching the end of the year, thoughts are typically turning towards 2024 and the New Year ahead in the oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets. But before the curtain falls on 2023, ICIS takes a look at whether there is any life left in the markets. Acrylate esters editor Mathew Jolin-Beech is joined by butac editor Marion Boakye, oxo-alcohols editor Nicole Simpson, and glycol ethers editor Cameron Birch for the November edition of the oxo-alcohols and derivatives podcast....
In this podcast, ICIS Analysts Jady Ma and Claire Gao discuss China’s N-butanol and 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) market.
A new wave of record-breaking sized cracker projects based on technologies such as crude oil to chemicals (COTC) signals the emergence of ‘supermajors’ who may dominate the industry. - COTC produces huge volumes of low-cost chemicals - COTC being developed in Middle East, China, South Korea - “Supermajors” will harness low carbon technologies - Options include electric furnaces, carbon capture and storage (CCS) - Cost-advantaged ethane projects springing up in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, North America - D...
China is exporting increasing volumes of cheap chemicals to Latin America and other regions as a huge wave of new capacity comes online, pressuring margins for producers around the world. - Global overcapacity leading to chemical price deflation - Producers in Latin America fight imports from China, Middle East, US - Reshoring of manufacturing in Mexico stimulates chemicals - Global economy cannot rely on developing countries to fuel growth - Climate emergency will hinder emerging markets - UN c...
The US Department of Agriculture released the November World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate report which showed the agency is projecting higher production numbers for the US corn crop and has lifted soybean output as well. Join ICIS Senior Editors Mark Milam and Sylvia Traganida as they discuss the latest WASDE report and get an update on the US fertilizer market.
Hear what the ICIS Recycling Analytics team are expecting from the up-coming ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference in Brussels on 21-22nd November. Helen McGeough, Senior Analyst and global team lead for Plastics Recycling and Carol Perujo Holland and Alexander Tomczyk, plastics recycling analysts at ICIS for Europe, Middle East and Africa, talk to Senior Editor for Recycling Matt Tudball about what to expect from the packed conference agenda, and what the mood like be at the event after a very turb...
In this Podcast, ICIS analyst Floria Dai discusses China’s gasoline and gasoil markets.
The Europe acetone, phenol and derivative markets are slow ahead of year end and the outlook is cautious for 2024. Economic troubles, capacity increase in Asia and ongoing derivative import competition are likely to continue to weigh heavy on markets. Although there may be a few demand bright spots for BPA and epoxy into the downstream wind energy and marine sectors. Europe ICIS editors Jane Gibson (acetone and phenol), Heidi Finch (bisphenol A and epoxy resins), Mathew Jolin-Beech (methyl metha...
As waves of new capacity come onstream in China and the Middle East, stagnant demand growth and falling margins are increasing pressure on chemical companies to permanently close older facilities. - Wave of oil-to-chemicals projects will flood market - Global operating rates forecast at 80% to 2030, from 88% long term average - Huge pressure on non-integrated/high-cost facilities to close - More plant closures could be driven by high costs, low demand, decarbonization - High closure costs includ...
