ICIS - chemical podcasts

The worst chemicals downturn in living memory is forcing ratings agencies to downgrade more companies and raising fears of bankruptcies. -          Chemical company earnings have been bottom-of-cycle since 2023-          Leverage (borrowing) is high compared to historical levels-          Low earnings increase pressure on leverage, raises risk of default-          Fitch has downgraded more chemical companies over last 12-18 months-          Extended trough in chemicals may lead to bankruptcies-          Operating rates have not recovered as they did after Global Financial Crisis-          Fitch expects gradual recovery from 2026-          A lot more closures needed to rebalance market – could delay recovery-          Ratings agencies look at company costs, strategies and compare to peers-          Diversification of geography and product helps manage riskIn this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Guillaume Daguerre who leads Europe chemicals for ratings agency Fitch, John Richardson from the ICIS market development team, ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting. Click here to register for the ICIS/European Association of Chemical Distributors (Fecc) distributors CEO round table on Monday 16 June. 

HOUSTON (ICIS)—US polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Markets Reporter Melissa Wheeler, Vice President of the North America PET/Polyester Chain, Antulio Borneo, Senior Recycled Plastics Editor, Emily Friedman, Latin America PET Senior Markets Editor, Daniel Lopes discuss the implications to the virgin PET and recycled PET (R-PET) markets as a result of tariffs and anti-dumping duties.PET and R-PET market factors discussed include: US PET, R-PET demand outlook for peak summer season Canada’s anti-dumping duties (ADD) investigation on China, Pakistan R-PET, PET production and capacity changes Latin America PET protectionism continues

Mark Victory, Senior Editor for Recycling Europe, and Helen McGeough, Global Analyst Team Lead for Plastic Recycling, discuss the recent trend of brands lowering recycled content targets. They explore the impact of these revisions on demand for recyclate and investments in both mechanical and chemical recycling. The conversation highlights the importance of quality feedstock access and consumer pressure, as well as regulatory implications in the US and Europe. Listeners gain insights into market dynamics and the future of sustainable practices in the recycling sector.

Michael Haite, Group Sustainability Director at Azelis, discusses the future of low carbon products in the chemical industry. He emphasizes how renewable energy access will reshape product offerings and highlights the critical role that distributors play in communicating sustainability data. Haite advocates for standardized carbon footprint measurements and stresses the need for lifecycle analysis. With smaller companies in Asia driving innovation, he foresees a wave of low carbon products within the next few years. Reshoring is also spotlighted as a key trend reshaping regional value chains.

LONDON (ICIS)--Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets continue to face blighted downstream sentiment in May tied to ongoing US trade developments and wider domestic economic malaise pertaining to principle end user segments including automotive, constriction and wider paints & coatings business.Better availability has facilitated further price pressure in May with few signs of a let up in the short term. Supply changes remain critical for price discovery.Glycol ethers editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate editor Marion Boakye and acrylate esters editor Mat Jolin-Beech about conditions in these markets and expectations for the near future.

In this discussion, Alessia Iello, Global Sustainable Solutions Manager at Brenntag and ICIS Innovation Awards judge, teams up with Ian Temperton, CEO of Plastic Energy and 2024 Innovation Award winner. They dive into the crucial role of innovation in the chemical sector, emphasizing its potential to break down industry silos and foster collaboration. The conversation also highlights the importance of the ICIS Innovation Awards for recognizing groundbreaking advancements, particularly in chemical recycling, pivotal for a sustainable future.

Luckman Suratman, a journalist with ICIS Newsdesk in Singapore, and John Richardson from ICIS's market development team offer keen insights into the Asian petrochemical sector. They discuss the expected rebalancing of oversupply conditions by 2028-2030 and the notable growth in India amidst regional challenges. The impact of the US-China trade war on global trade dynamics comes to light, alongside the industry's pivot towards sustainability and a growing reliance on US ethane for chemical production.

Cease fires on both business and war fronts are the focus of this month’s European polyethylene (PE) & polypropylene (PP) podcast, from the US and China de-escalating their eye-watering tariffs battle for 90 days, to the India-Pakistan ceasefire.Senior editors Vicky Ellis and Ben Lake look at May’s price trends, how US-China trade relations are influencing sentiment in Europe, and are joined by senior editor Nadim Salamoun to discuss Trump's announcement regarding lifting sanctions on Syria, and how Pakistan’s market responded to its ceasefire with India.They also highlight ICIS coverage from the latest Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) in Thailand, including how petrochemical demand may ramp up as US lifts Syrian sanctions, how South Korea is mulling petchem rationalization, and another ICIS podcast on Asian C2 players’ survival strategies.

LONDON (ICIS)--Relatively stable demand and evolving global supply dynamics are expected in European ammonia and acrylonitrile (ACN) markets in 2025.In this latest podcast, global ammonia editor Sylvia Tranganida and Europe ACN editor Nazif Nazmul share the latest developments and expectations for what lies ahead. Ammonia players are expecting European demand from the nitrates market to pick up soon Availability is due to tighten with scheduled turnarounds in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia Ammonia prices globally are softening due to a lack of major demand Geopolitics-led macroeconomic challenges dampen prospects of ACN derivatives demand resurgence Balanced-to-long ACN supply dynamics anticipated to endure

BANGKOK (ICIS) -- Asia benzene prices saw an uptrend early week. However, this gain was wiped out by a drop in crude prices by Friday.  Market gets boost from US-China trade breakthrough Early week increases of over $50/tonne eroded by crude drop at week's close Market cautious about sustainability of uptrend amid incoming European cargoes In this chemical podcast, Asia benzene editor Angeline Soh discusses the situation in the market and some insights from the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand.