LONDON (ICIS)--The European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have been subdued in December with a focus on managing inventory targets into year-end with destocking already underway. The winter demand has also been sluggish amid wider challenging economic and geopolitical pressures. Heading into 2025, the outlook is one for the challenges of 2024 to largely persist, with demand not expected to dramatically improve. Acryalte ester report editor Mathew Jolin-Beech is joined by glycol ethers rep...
Dec 23, 2024•15 min•Ep. 1285
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia's oxo-alcohols market continues to face challenges amid capacity expansions in China. Weak demand from downstream plasticisers sector Upstream support from propylene unlikely Demand recovery to take some time In this latest podcast, ICIS senior editor Julia Tan speaks with ICIS analyst Lina Xu to share the latest developments and expectations for what lies ahead next year.
Dec 17, 2024•6 min•Ep. 1284
BARCELONA (ICIS)—European polyethylene (PE) markets face growing pressure from cheaper imports, highlighting the impact of rising overcapacity driven by China and the US. - Plants in Europe operating at technical minimum levels - Minimal stocks held amid plentiful supply - Demand poor across most end uses, packaging stronger - Europe will see more PE imports as global overcapacity grows - More polymer plant closures are likely in Europe and other high-cost regions - US has more to lose from trad...
Dec 12, 2024•41 min•Ep. 1283
Plastics and chemical producers need to find more effective ways to tackle the problem of plastic waste after UN treaty negotiations ended without agreement at the weekend. - Consumer demand will drive improvements in plastic waste management - Chemical companies need to reconnect with brands/consumers - We will move out of the current ‘trough of despair’ about recycling - End of globalization may mean national/regional treaties are more effective - UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee con...
Dec 03, 2024•20 min•Ep. 1282
LONDON (ICIS)--European monoethylene glycol (MEG) editor, Melissa Hurley, explores the global glycol situation with Judith Wang, Cindy Qiu, Melissa Wheeler. China inventory levels could remain limited near term; domestic supply increases on plant restart Bearish demand outlook to weigh on Asia market Asia, Europe annual contract discussions tough Heavy Q1 US turnaround could limit imports into Asia/Europe and bolster discussions...
Dec 03, 2024•8 min•Ep. 1281
MUSCAT (ICIS)--In this special edition of the ICIS podcast, Asia deputy news editor Nurluqman Suratman speaks with ICIS market development executive John Richardson on the sidelines of the 18th Annual Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals (GPCA) Annual Forum in Muscat, Oman, on the current issues facing the regional industry. Ongoing issues over a UN plastics treaty highlights divide between major producers and smaller players Upcoming US tariffs may change trade flows, dynamics for Middle East Glob...
Dec 03, 2024•6 min•Ep. 1280
LONDON (ICIS)--The European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have seen subdued performance into November with availability now healthy across markets and underlying demand still underperforming. Focus is now on managing inventory targets into year end with destocking already underway. The autumn in general has been slower than many had hoped. Glycol Ethers report editor Cameron Birch speaks to Oxo-Alcohols editor Nicole Simpson, Acrylate Esters editor Mat Jolin-Beech and Butyl Acetate editor...
Nov 28, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1279
The plasticizers market is globalized with Europe dependant on imports of dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) from northeast Asia, Turkey and the US. However, global trade flows are shifting as US DOTP dumping investigations are progressing into the final stages and Trump’s election is bolstering US trade protectionism Europe plasticizers editor Nicole Simpson speaks to US editor Daniel Lopes about the future of the plasticizers market against a backdrop of falling US feedstock costs, growing US protec...
Nov 26, 2024•9 min•Ep. 1278
Two liquids-to-chemicals project announcements by Saudi Aramco highlight a new source of rapid capacity growth which will add to global overcapacity. - Middle East oil and gas companies want to push liquids-to-chemicals as demand for transport fuels declines - Aramco aims to convert around 4 million bbl/day of crude oil into chemicals by 2030 versus about 1 million barrels/day currently - Demand growth will not be sufficient to meet rising supply - More closures will be needed to balance the mar...
Nov 26, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1277
LONDON (ICIS)--November’s polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) prices have eased in the face of dispiriting demand and as maintenance season comes to a close in Europe. ICIS senior editors Vicky Ellis and Ben Lake weigh up what's behind the November trends, how forex and logistics might be affecting the markets, and what’s coming for December. They also discuss ICIS coverage of European PE, PP players adapting value propositions in the face of an evolving market , and Think Tank’s podcast ep...
Nov 25, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1276
Europe adipic acid and downstream nylon 6,6 markets face bleak prospects for demand in December, followed by a broadly flat outlook in 2025, with overall weak consumption from key derivative markets. Over the past few months, very slow demand and ample supply has continued to dominate European markets alongside rising costs of production. In this latest podcast, ICIS editors Meeta Ramnani and Marta Fern share the latest developments and expectations for what lies ahead. Seasonal destocking to we...
Nov 21, 2024•8 min•Ep. 1275
European chemical producers may have to keep paying high energy prices as geopolitical instability impacts sentiment more than the fundamentals of supply and demand. - Europe spot electricity prices up 76% this year, ICIS TTF gas price up 40% - Fear drives markets more than fundamentals which remain bearish - Demand is reduced compared to five-year average, supply plentiful - Above average temperatures forecast into December in Europe - Gas storage around 90%, well above 5-year average - New sou...
Nov 19, 2024•37 min•Ep. 1274
Donald Trump’s proposed tariff hikes on major trading partners could spark a trade war which will drive the end of a globalised chemicals economy plus more local and circular supply chains. - US-China trade war would drag on economic growth - World may return to more national and intra-regional trade - Trump could help drive the end of deglobalization - Development of more local, circular chemical supply chains - Chemicals Q3 financial results show some volume growth - But industry still in the ...
Nov 15, 2024•24 min•Ep. 1273
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Southeast Asia's propylene market faces significant challenges in 2025, with additional supply expected and freight rates continuing to impact downstream demand. In this latest podcast, ICIS senior editor Julia Tan speaks with senior analyst Shariene Goh to share the latest developments and expectations for what lies ahead next year. High freight rates likely to remain key challenge to PP exports, which could weigh on propylene demand Southeast Asia to take price direction from...
Nov 15, 2024•4 min•Ep. 1272
European Senior Editor for Recycling, Mark Victory , and Helen McGeough , Global Analyst Team Lead for Plastic Recycling at ICIS join Senior Editor for Recycling Matt Tudball to discuss their highlights from the recent 3rd ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference that was held in Berlin on 7th November. Topics covered ranged from ICIS' own outlook for the recycled markets, panel discussions on collection systems and the ever-popular chemical recycling sector, plus electrical and electronic waste and EU...
Nov 14, 2024•9 min•Ep. 1272
China's oxo-alcohols market will see supply glut recently in the face of intensive new plant start-ups, but tepid downstream demand. Net import volumes may plunge in the short term because of overseas plant turnrounds and rising domestic supply, but whether this could sustain still depends on overseas plant operations and import arbitrage opportunities.
Nov 07, 2024•3 min•Ep. 1271
HOUSTON (ICIS)–Several ICIS market experts share insightful facts related to their respective plastics markets, amid conversations with industry professionals at PackExpo '24. Though each market comes with a host of uncertainties, the broader US plastic packaging industry continues to navigate mixed demand and various supply challenges in 2024 and beyond. Bottled beverage sector made up 15% of all US packaging revenue in 2023. US polyethylene terephthalate (PET) production to remain 3 billion lb...
Nov 06, 2024•6 min•Ep. 1270
LONDON (ICIS)---Relatively flat demand trends and evolving global supply dynamics evident in H2 2024 are expected to largely persist within the European acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and acrylonitrile (ACN) markets in Q1 2025. In this latest podcast, Europe ABS report editor Stephanie Wix and her counterpart on the Europe ACN report, Nazif Nazmul, share the latest developments and expectations for what lies ahead. Macroeconomic challenges expected to continue limiting ABS and ACN demand ...
Nov 06, 2024•20 min•Ep. 1269
Market forces and long-term trends such as global overcapacity and sustainability will have more impact on chemical companies than who wins the US presidential election. - Chemical companies driven more by long-term trends than government policy - Consumer demand for more sustainable products will drive chemical markets - US relies heavily on exports for its low-cost polymers - Donald Trump promises to hike tariffs by 10-20% on all imports, 60% on Chinese imports - Trump may ease US chemicals re...
Nov 05, 2024•24 min•Ep. 1268
More chemical industry leaders are making bold strategic decisions to combat a multi-year downturn, driving their companies to focus on areas where they can seize a competitive advantage. - China-driven overcapacity could imbalance global supply/demand until 2030 - Need for large-scale capacity closures to balance market - Companies can choose to focus on commodities or become specialty/low carbon players - CEOs waking up to the need for a radical examination of their assets and strategies - A t...
Oct 31, 2024•59 min•Ep. 1267
LONDON (ICIS)--Throughout October, demand in the European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets has been slow-paced and below initial expectations. Sluggishness is expected to persist throughout the remainder of Q4, influenced by various factors including wider economic weakness, geopolitical tensions, and end-of-year destocking. Butyl acetate reporter Marion Boakye speaks to oxo-alcohols reporter Nicole Simpson, glycol ethers reporter Cameron Birch and acrylate esters reporter Mathew Jolin-Beech...
Oct 29, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1266
LONDON (ICIS)--Demand in EU and US epoxy markets remains sluggish, in a still difficult climate, but players are eagerly awaiting anti-dumping duty (ADD) decisions which could provide some domestic demand support into 2025. Senior editor Heidi Finch , who covers the Europe epoxy market, and fellow senior editor Tarun Raizada , who covers the US epoxy market, share insights on key topics discussed at a recent industry event, current market sentiment and near-term expectations. Markets muted in Q4...
Oct 29, 2024•14 min•Ep. 1265
Weak demand continues to be a concern in the European acetone and phenol chain and in the wider chemicals industry and Q4 will remain tough, in view of year-end considerations, but when will demand turn a corner? Europe ICIS editors Jane Gibson (acetone and phenol), Heidi Finch (bisphenol A and epoxy resins), Meeta Ramnani (polycarbonate), Mathew Jolin-Beech (methyl methacrylate) and ICIS senior analyst Michele Bossi (aromatics and derivatives) discuss current market conditions, in view of resid...
Oct 25, 2024•25 min•Ep. 1264
US recycled plastics Senior Editor, Emily Friedman and Americas recycled plastics Analyst, Josh Dill, reflect on their experiences and key takeaways from the 2024 Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference held in Chicago, Illinois this week. Listen in as they dive into various topics regarding material recovery facilities (MRFs), extended producer responsibility (EPR), recycled content brand committments, chemical recycling and more.
Oct 24, 2024•5 min•Ep. 1263
SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Asian methanol markets were driven more by sentiment than changes in fundamentals, in recent weeks as market participants reacted to escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. However, some supply changes in coming months are expected to alter the market landscape in Q1 2025. Gas shortages in Q4 lead to expectations of lower supply China market sees correction after post-holiday exuberance Downstream demand tepid, expected to see slight recovery in Q4 In this chemical podc...
Oct 24, 2024•6 min•Ep. 1262
The overall winner of this year’s ICIS Innovation Awards - BASF, Linde and SABIC’s electrically-heated steam cracker furnace - could have a massive impact on overall chemical industry emissions if the technology is widely adopted. - World’s first electrically-heated steam cracker at demonstration stage - Cuts CO2 emissions by up to 95% compared with natural gas-fired crackers - Linde, BASF, SABIC win shows strength of partnerships - Challenges include obtaining sufficient renewable energy, finan...
Oct 23, 2024•14 min•Ep. 1261
Markets Editor Stephanie Wix is joined by Senior Editor Manager Vicky Ellis, markets reporter Meeta Ramnani, and Senior Analyst Jincy Varghese, as they discuss the key trends from the 29th Fakuma plastics processing trade fair in Friedrichshafen, Germany, in this latest ICIS podcast. They explore discussion topics heard at the event last week, from the highest concerns to the lowest expectations. They also explain the clash of pessimism and optimism between markets including acrylonitrile butadi...
Oct 22, 2024•22 min•Ep. 1260
SINGAPORE (ICIS) – The short-term demand outlook for recycled polymers from Asia remains sluggish especially for low-value grades, due to multiple factors - mainly poor economics and brand users’ preference of cheaper virgin plastics. Upcoming regulation in deep-sea fails to support Asia r-PET exports Asia r-PE, r-PP remain traded mostly in domestic markets Investments into recycling continue across Asia despite weak demand In this chemical podcast, ICIS senior editor Arianne Perez discusses rec...
Oct 22, 2024•8 min•Ep. 1259
Join Global Analyst Team Lead for Recycling Helen McGeough as she looks ahead to the 3rd ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference on 7 November in Berlin and tells Matt Tudball what she's looking forward to seeing from the diverse group of topics and presenters, including: Waste collection challenges and developments ICIS study on penetration rates of recycling in the wider virgin polymer market Chemical Recycling and its impact on the market Investment in recycling for low carbon solutions Prices of f...
Oct 18, 2024•6 min•Ep. 1258
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--With 2025 contract discussions for Asia ethylene underway at the olefins trade conference in Xiamen, China, ICIS markets editor Josh Quah outlines what’s at the top of the list of concerns for players as they look ahead to the coming year. Players may take steps to hedge against unpredictability of deep-sea cargoes China’s new capacity takes shape, but lengthy domestic supply may not yet spillover to the import-export market Greater interest from producers to study the feasibil...
Oct 18, 2024•6 min•Ep. 1257
