ICIS - chemical podcasts

With low-carbon fuels facing multiple challenges including poor demand, feedstock constraints and policy uncertainty, catalysts can help solve technology roadblocks in this emerging global market. Biofuels face competition from electrification and hydrogen Feedstock shortages hinder scale-up of biofuels Shell and BP cancel major biorefinery projects in Rotterdam, Netherlands Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) costs up to five times more than jet kerosene Regulatory mandates not rising quickly enough to stimulate demand Catalyst innovation boosts e-fuels efficiency, reduces energy use Industry needs incentives, clarity and global cooperation In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham and ICIS biofuels editor Nazif Nazmul interview Andreas Bachmeier, head of business development & energy transition at Clariant.

HOUSTON (ICIS) -- US ethylene glycol (EG) and ethylene oxide (EO) markets reporter, Melissa Wheeler is joined by Vice President of North America polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polyester chain, and Senior Data Analyst for US EO acrylonitrile and PX, Monica Losey, to discuss operating rates on the US EO and EG markets for the remainder of the year and potential factors contributing to reducing or increasing rates into the new year.·         US EG continues to be hampered by weak PET demand·         EO derivative production outside of EG to continue to trend upward into 2026·         No expected turnarounds, planned outages for remainder of 2025

LONDON (ICIS)-- European oxo alcohols and derivatives markets remained largely unaffected by recent port strikes and maintenance shutdowns, with supply chains holding steady throughout October.Demand, however, continues to be weak due to macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures, keeping spot interest low. Glycol ethers and acrylate esters also saw minimal disruption, with stable pricing and subdued sentiment.As 2026 contract talks begin, many buyers are considering shifting from long-term agreements to spot purchases, reflecting ongoing uncertainty and cautious market outlooks.Acrylate esters editor, Mathew Jolin-Beech, is joined by oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate reporter, Marion Boakye, and glycol ethers editor, Cameron Birch, to discuss current conditions along the oxo-alcohols value chain.

Carolina Perujo Holland, ICIS analyst for R-PET and Caroline Murray, senior editor for virgin PET spoke to GSI Plastics CEO and founder Francesco Zanchi and general manager, Chiara Zanchi about the state of the markets and where they are headed in 2026 

Following another successful K Fair in Dusseldorf in October, ICIS Senior Analyst, Plastics Recycling and Sustainability, Alexandra Tawton-Tomczyk is joined by Mark Victory and Matt Tudball, Senior Editors for Recycled Plastics in Europe, and Ben Monroe-Lake, Senior Editor for Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) Europe to discuss some of the topics covered during the event. Under discussion are the impact of the current economic downturn on the recycled polymers industry, the impact of both virgin and recycled imports into the EU and how regulation is still having a big impact on the recycled markets but remains a grey area in some cases. 

Latest economic statistics from China suggest its economy is still flagging, meaning it will continue to export excess chemicals capacity into global markets. -          China’s economy is sputtering as country deals with excess domestic capacity and ruptured property sector-          Global chemical markets likely to see more flows of cheap material from China, undermining prices and margins-          Latin American Petrochemical and Chemical Association (APLA) delegates in Mexico report rising pressure from Chinese, US imports -          ICIS data shows spreads near record lows in Asia, little hope of recovery to long-term averages 

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asia styrene prices continued to be under pressure, while downstream margins began to recover. Downstream polymer margins stabilise after SM corrections 2026 contract discussions could progress slowly, greater focus on FOB China China's major role in Asia SM remains under spotlight amid further supply expansion In this chemical podcast, Asia styrene editors Luffy Wu and Aviva Zhang discuss recent market developments, and the outlook ahead, following their observations in the industry conference held last week in Xi'an, China.

The European base oils market is facing key challenges with strong capacity growth and a transition from Group I to Group II and Group III, while re-refined base oils have been growing in popularity due to consistent quality, attractive prices and their circular aspect. The ICIS base oils team attended the 60th UEIL Congress in Italy, engaging with key players in the industry on the latest market developments.Samantha Wright, Sophie Udubasceanu and Alessia Succi Cimentini discuss the key takeaways from the conference and what awaits the European base oils industry. 

Ongoing weak demand pressure, rising import trends, and interest in recycling sets the tone at K in Dusseldorf, Germany, one of Europe’s key downstream plastics industry events.Markets editor Stephanie Wix and markets reporter Sam Lovatt unpack the highlights and major talking points from K in this podcast, focusing on Europe acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), expandable polystyrene (EPS), polycarbonate (PC), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) markets.

Asia olefin players open their 2026 contract talks at a trade conference Xi’an, China, this week, with fundamentals in oversupply and supply pressure likely to ramp up in 2026. Asia ethylene will continue grappling with oversupply from new capacities in 2026 Arbitrage flows could be here to stay with supply imbalances in southeast Asia Asia propylene wrestles with propane challenges, squeezed margins Availability of US propane a key concern for 2026 2025 Enmore Contract Season trade conference took place this week in Xi’an, China Podcast by Josh Quah and Julia TanEditing by Will Beacham