Chemicals sector executives are increasingly facing up to the idea that the sector is going through a process of reinvention, with no big recovery on the horizon and a return to pre-crisis normalcy less likely. Executives are now looking at what the next steps for the sector will be. In this Think Tank podcast, Tom Brown interviews Paul Hodges , chairman of New Normal Consulting, Katherine Sale, ICIS head of editorial strategy, and Chris Barker, senior editor covering PVC and caustic soda, on im...
Oct 17, 2024•34 min•Ep. 1256
According to attendees at the annual European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) conference in Berlin held during 7-10 October, consumption in 2025 is not expected to recover for mixed xylenes (MX), paraxylene (PX) and orthoxylene (OX), with various hurdles highlighted. In this episode, market editors Zubair Adam (MX) and Miguel Rodriguez Fernandez (PX, OX) along with Rob Peacock, ICIS lead analyst for aromatics, share the sentiment captured after talking with various market players at the confere...
Oct 16, 2024•8 min•Ep. 1255
Ahead of the 3rd ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference in Berlin on 7 November, Senior Analyst for Recycling Egor Dementev discusses the challenges and opportunities for both mechanical and chemical recycling with Annick Meerschman, Innovation Director at CEFIC . PLUS... 20 CEFIC members are entitled to receive 50% off their registration to the ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference by using code: ICISCEFICMEM Offer is run on a first come first serve basis. Topics covered include: Innovations driving pla...
Oct 14, 2024•14 min•Ep. 1254
Markets editor Stephanie Wix and reporter Meeta Ramnani join senior editor manager Vicky Ellis to pick out key themes ahead of the 29th plastics processing trade fair Fakuma in Germany, in this latest ICIS podcast. They discuss the clash of pessimism and optimism for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), the changing European landscape for polycarbonate (PC) given ADNOC's recent offer for Covestro , and pressure from cheap imports for PE and PP and engineering plastics polyacetal ( POM ) and po...
Oct 11, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1253
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The base oils market in UAE is likely to see an uptick in demand in Q4, with the impact of escalating tensions in the region on crude prices and Group I supply from Iran closely monitored in the weeks ahead. Impact of regional conflict on spot Group I supply from Iran to emerge Group II export offers from the US awaited, to offer clearer near-term market direction Persistent crude volatility may temper base oils uptake Currency woes in Africa may undermine finished lube exports...
Oct 07, 2024•9 min•Ep. 1252
ADNOC’s agreement to buy Covestro ahead of next week’s European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) annual meeting highlights the challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s beleaguered chemical industry. - Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) to acquire Covestro for equity value of €11.7 billion - ADNOC diversifies downstream from oil and gas - Covestro global leader in polycarbonate (PC) and polyurethenes (PU) - PC and PU struggles with poor demand from automotive, construction - Covestro operating...
Oct 01, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1251
Ahead of the approaching European Petrochemical Conference (EPCA) in Berlin 7-10 October, ICIS editors discuss market conditions in a variety of solvent markets. - Market updates on methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), isopropanol (IPA), phenol, acetone, toluene, mixed xylenes, glycol ethers and propylene glycol ethers, butyl acetate and ethyl acetate. - Trade flows and impact of freight rate movements - Overcapacity versus low demand levels - Upcoming maintenance programmes...
Sep 27, 2024•18 min•Ep. 1250
Ahead of the approaching European Petrochemical Conference (EPCA) in Berlin 7-10 October, ICIS editors discuss market conditions in the olefine and derivative chain. - Market updates on propylene, ethylene, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), monoethylene glycol (EG), ethylene oxide (EO), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile, monopropylene glycol (MPG) and oxo-alcohols - Trade flows and impact of freight rate movements - Overcapacity versus low demand levels - Upcoming cracker turnarounds ...
Sep 27, 2024•20 min•Ep. 1249
LONDON (ICIS)--Players down the oxo-alcohols value chain are preparing for EPCA where discussions are set to take place against a backdrop of low visibility, economic concern and persistently subdued demand. · Post-summer demand disappointing across the board · General availability sufficient although individual producers face some supply constraints · Players’ expectations for 2025 closely linked to outlook for general economy and key construction and automotive industries Oxo-Alcohols editor N...
Sep 25, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1248
With some economists now forecasting a recession in China, chemicals executives should analyze the possible impact on their businesses. - China’s economy at a turning point, possibility of recession in 2025 - New government stimulus measures announced today - Lack of domestic demand makes China reliant on export-driven growth - Other markets increasingly resistant to Chinese exports, put up trade barriers - Further slowing of China’s economy will increase global overcapacity pressure - Chemical ...
Sep 24, 2024•30 min•Ep. 1247
Volatile gas prices illustrate a finely balanced market Tight ammonia availability; some scheduled maintenances expected Unexpected gas related shutdowns in Egypt short-lived; India urea tenders boost sentiment Certain factors support global urea market despite thin demand in Europe Demand in China showing signs of recovery before National Day holiday (1-7 October) China's average melamine operating rates hovering around 60%, market to track urea costs Additional reporting from market reporter J...
Sep 24, 2024•15 min•Ep. 1245
SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asia's fatty alcohol mid-cuts prices may be near the ceiling as demand from Europe is expected to wane after October, given the looming EUDR or EU Deforestation Regulation which starts on 30 December 2024. Meanwhile, east Asian and south Asian linear alkylbenzene (LAB) markets remained in the doldrums despite expectations of an improvement in September. The weak performance of the crude oil and upstream markets since July have weighed on sentiment and led to caution among buy...
Sep 24, 2024•4 min•Ep. 1246
September’s hoped-for post-summer revival has been a blowout for Europe’s polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) markets, and this upturning of what used to be a surefire seasonal trend is typical of 2024. In this latest podcast, European PE and PP editors Vicky Ellis and Ben Lake take stock of the year so far and are joined by ICIS senior polymer analysts Lorenzo Meazza and Umberto Torresan to pick out key themes for the rest of 2024 and 2025. They touch on the challenge of unpredictable even...
Sep 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 1245
Petrochemical markets are likely to remain depressed while China and other countries continue to add significant capacity, unless big wave of closures and demand improvement help to achieve balance. - Global capacity additions far outstrip demand growth - China, Middle East, US likely to continue expansions - China drove the petrochemical supercycle, but no longer - China chemicals demand growth likely only 2-4%/year - Prospect of global deflation - Europe can focus on specialty chemicals, other...
Sep 17, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1244
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--ICIS has revised down its forecast for China’s combined imports of propane and butane for 2024 because of weaker-than-expected demand in fuel applications. Full-year LPG imports projected at 36.7 million tonnes Fuel LPG demand falls on increased natural gas usage amid weak economy Strong feedstock LPG demand partly offset decline in fuel consumption
Sep 11, 2024•5 min•Ep. 1243
Europe’s beleaguered petrochemical industry could see its fortunes improve dramatically if Mario Draghi’s new industrial policy proposals are adopted, along with a fair regulatory framework. - New industrial strategy can rescue region from structurally higher costs, low levels of investment - Historic moment with momentum building for new approach to Europe industry transformation - Green Deal objectives need to work alongside measures to improve competitiveness - New requirements for Environmen...
Sep 10, 2024•33 min•Ep. 1242
In this podcast, Senior Editor Emily Friedman, and Analyst, Josh Dill, dive deeper into the challenges US chemical recyclers face.
Sep 06, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1241
New analysis suggests the chemical industry may face a more rapidly aging and shrinking population in key markets such as China, while the subsequent drag on demand means new business models will be required. - China-driven petrochemicals Supercycle is over - China’s population may be aging and shrinking more quickly than previously thought - China may switch to become net exporter of many synthetic resins - Demographic shifts will shrink demand for chemicals throughout developed world - Develop...
Sep 03, 2024•26 min•Ep. 1240
The Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have faced a sluggish summer despite ongoing supply challenges. Editors Mathew Jolin-Beech, Nicole Simpson, Cameron Birch and Marion Boakye discuss how August has been for the oxo alcohol, acrylate ester, butac and glycol ether markets.
Aug 30, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1239
Senior editors Vicky Ellis, Ben Lake and Samantha Wright look at what else made August unusual, and look ahead to September in this latest podcast on Europe, Africa and Turkey markets.
Aug 29, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1238
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published the August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report, which shows the latest outlook for increased corn and soybean production with corn being calculated at 15.1 billion bushels, up 47 million bushels from the July report, while soybeans are projected to be 4.6 billion bushels, up 154 million bushels. Senior Editor Mark Milam talks to Sylvia Traganida about the report and the current trends in the US market....
Aug 14, 2024•6 min•Ep. 1237
Recycled Plastics analyst Corbin Olson and US Recycled Plastics senior editor Emily Friedman discuss the main takeaways from the latest round of corporate quarterly earnings calls, as they relate to the US recycled plastics industry. Key takeaways included: Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies largely showed positive North American sales volumes, though some continue to see negative volumes due to the current inflationary environment. Durables markets, such as pipe and composite decking which...
Aug 09, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1236
SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- The third plenary session of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee recently concluded in July, with the CCP underlining the country’s long-term economic strategy. This session, a significant event in China’s economic planning, serves as a guide for both immediate and long-term policies. Market balance healthier than expected on delays in capacity additions No specific stimulus policies announced, market participants eye 5% GDP target Market sentiment generally s...
Aug 07, 2024•8 min•Ep. 1235
European and Asian oxo-alcohols and plasticizers market participants expect demand will be underwhelming in H2, heightening concerns about margins and capacity utilisation. - Macroeconomic pressures persist and key construction industry struggling - Globally poor demand and expensive freight impact trade flows - Demand not able to support healthy operating rates, margins - Scepticism if stimulus policies, lower interest rates will have significant impact in 2024 In this podcast, Europe market ed...
Aug 06, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1234
Recent prices skyrocketing in Asia styrene prices is because of unexpected outages at European plants and it is expected to pull up Asia benzene and downstream styrene prices in August.
Aug 05, 2024•4 min•Ep. 1233
LONDON (ICIS)--Maritime security issues along the Red Sea and geopolitics-led macroeconomic challenges dominated supply and demand dynamics within the European acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and acrylonitrile (ACN) markets in H1 2024. In this latest podcast, editor of the Europe ABS report, Stephanie Wix and editor of the Europe ACN report, Nazif Nazmul, share the latest developments and expectations for what lies ahead. Macroeconomic challenges continue to constrain ABS and ACN demand Eu...
Aug 02, 2024•14 min•Ep. 1232
Ethane is gaining favor as the feedstock for steam crackers in China, as its competitive prices make ethane-cracking the most profitable route for ethylene production compared to other options.
Aug 02, 2024•5 min•Ep. 1231
Between 2012 and 2023, China's hydrogen production more than doubled, with 80% of its 2023 output derived from coal and natural gas. Refineries play a crucial role in the country's overall hydrogen production, and the ongoing shift towards chemical production is set to further boost demand. This trend is expected to accelerate the adoption of cleaner blue and renewable hydrogen sources in refineries. Join ICIS Asia deputy news editor Suratman Nurluqman and ICIS hydrogen analysts Patricia Tao and...
Aug 01, 2024•5 min•Ep. 1230
LONDON (ICIS)--The European oxo-alcohols & derivatives markets have seen reasonably healthy levels of availability in July with market activity subdued as participants head into the summer period. Demand across key end user segments remains sluggish with the near term outlook muted with further changes concerning the interest rate picture monitored. Glycol ethers report editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols editor Nicole Simpson, acrylate esters editor Mat Jolin-Beech and butyl acetate...
Jul 31, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1229
LONDON (ICIS)--European melamine editor Melissa Hurley, looks at the global situation for melamine with Joy Foo and Connor Phillips and what might happen in the second half of the year. Anti-dumping investigation from US Cornerstone Chemical may levy impact on industry Q3/Q4 Chinese supply to lengthen, eyes on new capacities; signs of freight rates to SE Asia, India easing European supply curtailed; impact offset by ongoing slow demand conditions Additional reporting from Market Reporter Joy Foo...
Jul 30, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1227
