ICIS - chemical podcasts

Join John Richardson, ICIS senior executive, business solutions group, in Episode 4 of Sustainably Speaking along with Mark Victory and Matt Tudball, senior editors for recycling Europe, and Helen McGeough, global analyst team lead for plastic recycling as they discuss the European Commission's proposals to allow mass balance for chemical recycling using a fuel-exempt accounting approach under the Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), and what this means for the wider recycling world. Plus, how amendments in the draft Implementing Decision allow for recyclate from outside the EU to count towards the 25% recycled content for polyethylene terephthlate (PET) beverage bottles, as well as whats going on in the wider world of recycling. Some questions answered during this episode:  Why is this draft Implementing Decision on mass balance so important, and what does ‘fuel-exempt’ mean?  Will this increase investment in chemical recycling in Europe and what happens if other regions go for a ‘free allocation’ approach? What’s the impact on global operators working in different markets? Can recyclate made from post-consumer plastic waste placed on third country markets count towards recycled content targets? What does a ‘level playing field’ for Europe look like? Will there be a sudden acceleration of chemical recycling projects as Europe’s crackers close? Is chemical recycling the solution for mass-scale food contact for polyolefins in Europe by 2030?

From four-year lows for European polypropylene (PP) prices, Dow announcing the closure of its Bohlen cracker, ping-ponging crude oil prices, a key US and EU tariff deal, and some fresh anti-dumping duties in India – June and July have been action packed for PP and polyethylene (PE).ICIS senior editor manager Vicky Ellis and senior editor Ben Lake compare notes with ICIS market specialist Aswin Kondapally on how Europe and Indian markets match up in July, and what to expect in August.

HOUSTON (ICIS)—US ethylene glycol (EG) markets reporter Melissa Wheeler discusses global market dynamics and factors on the EG markets with Judith Wang, Asia EG Senior Editor, and Nicole Simpson, Europe EG Markets Editor.Market factors discussed include: News regarding China’s economic policies boosted market sentiment short-term Global lack of downstream PET demand pulling MEG demand lower US EG supply disruptions due to tariffs Upcoming outages at Shell’s North America sites and BASF’s Belgium site

James McLeary, Managing Director of Biffa Polymers, shares insights on the challenges facing the UK recycling sector amid plant closures, emphasizing the need for more support for local initiatives. Tom Brown, ICIS Insight Editor, discusses the EU-US trade deal's impact, revealing how it alleviates some tariff pressures but leaves many questions unanswered. The conversation dives into the potential of the Wilton chemical site for a circular economy and the struggle for workers amid rising competition and regulatory changes.

Europe's oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets remain structurally weak, with some players beginning to feel effects of the summer slowdown.Ongoing economic weakness and geopolitical uncertainty continue to dampen sentiment, with activity expected to slow further from late July into August as summer holidays begin.Oxo-alcohols and their derivative markets are not expected to experience significant demand changes in H2 2025.Oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate reporter Marion Boakye joins acrylate esters editor Mathew Jolin-Beech and glycol ethers editor Cameron Birch to discuss current conditions along the oxo-alcohols value chain.

Slowing demand growth and a battle for market share between Saudi Arabia and the US could see crude oil prices drop significantly by the end of the year. -          High oil prices stimulate more production, low prices less-          Saudi Arabia and the US battle for market share-          Global demand for oil is around 100 million barrels/day-          Electric vehicles (EVs) have destroyed 2 million barrel/day of oil demand -          Globally around 20% of vehicle sales are EVs-          Oil prices could fall to $40-$45/barrel by the end of the year-          Oil demand growth weakest in 16 years-          Low oil price is double-edged sword for chemical markets In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting. 

As the existing global trading system crumbles, and overcapacity keeps growing, Europe’s chemical industry must move back to a more national or regional business model.  -          Trade war shows global trading system is breaking down-          Chemical industry could move back to a national or regional business model-          Would be a return to pre-1990s industry structure-          Europe has smaller chemical plants, ideal for regional markets-          EU must now act fast to protect chemical and industrial value chains-          China chemicals has been based on 6-8% GDP growth per year-          Now real GDP growth is only 1-4%, according to unofficial estimatesIn this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews John Richardson from the ICIS market development team, ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting. 

With H1 2025 already in the rear-view mirror, and the summer heatwave upon us once again, the acetone and phenol, and derivative markets, continue to be blighted by difficulties.Demand, pretty much across the board in this value chain as well as for many other products, remains stubbornly weak. Supply is ample in most cases as well, leading to stagnant markets, sluggish spot activity, and contracts doing the majority of the heavy lifting in the markets. In this podcast, Europe ICIS editors Jane Gibson (acetone and phenol), Heidi Finch (bisphenol A and epoxy resins), Sam Lovatt (polycarbonate), Mathew Jolin-Beech (methyl methacrylate) and ICIS senior analyst Michele Bossi (aromatics and derivatives) discuss current market conditions, and look forward to H2 2025.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Trade tensions have been in focus for the wider petrochemical markets since US Liberation Day tariffs were announced. In this podcast, propylene editor Julia Tan speaks with ethylene editor Josh Quah to examine how recent tariff developments have impacted the Asian olefins market. Ethylene support collapses with ethane resolution, new downstream demand to cushion drops  US tariff impact to trickle up from end use sectors  Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange announces propylene futures, beginning 22 July

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asian methanol prices have experienced a lot of volatility over the last few weeks, due to geopolitical concerns in the Middle East. While most production returned to normal in early July, some questions still remain around demand, both in India and the rest of Asia. Production in Iran, southeast Asia returns to normal US tariffs, seasonal factors to affect demand from downstream applications MTO run rates in China may be adjusted in July, margins may narrow In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Doris He and Damini Dabholkar discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia.