ICIS - chemical podcasts

At the 60th annual European Petrochemicals Association (EPCA) meeting last week, discussion around the traditional sustainability agenda has shifted into a broader conversation about industrial resilience. Speakers argue for a return to a balanced approach that considers environmental performance, financial performance and customer and societal needs Disruptions to global trade routes and rising security concerns are accelerating debates around Europe's industrial self-sufficiency. Consensus is increasing that these developments are creating a "new normal" for the chemical industry, although its final shape remains unclear A recurring theme through the conference was the perceived gap between policymakers' rhetoric and actionsIn this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham sits down in Vienna's Stadtpark with ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.

BARCELONA (ICIS)--Europe’s petrochemical industry is in steep decline and the region risks losing access to locally-produced critical raw materials unless stronger, faster action is taken by political leaders and regulators. Increasing reliance in Europe on imported critical raw materials for healthcare, defence and industrial value chains Europe chemicals faces existential threat Middle East war gave temporary uplift in Europe, but now imports flowing from other regions INEOS mothballing UK plants due to sky-high energy costs INEOS Project One expected online towards the end of 2027 Little support and tough permitting environment in Europe Much stronger protection needed from unfair imports, including possible global or regional import quotas Create fewer but stronger regional leaders In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Rob Ingram, CEO of INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe, presdient of Plastics Europe and chairman of Petrochemcials Europe.

LONDON (ICIS)--Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets continue to face high cost uncertainty and volatility as Q4 beckons. Sentiment in the market remains widely mixed after a subdued start to the autumn on the purchasing side. As 2027 contract discussions commence, there is a renewed focus on sourcing origin, particularly for products which were more exposed to Middle East origin export constraints this year, as well as the close attention being paid to anti dumping duty investigations still ongoing in some cases.Glycol ethers editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate editor Marion Boakye and acrylate esters editor Mathew Jolin-Beech about current market conditions and expectations for the near future.

Tom Brown, ICIS Insight Editor, and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting, examine whether a BASF-Evonik tie-up could create Europe’s chemical powerhouse. They explore complementary portfolios, consolidation, and the shift from globalisation to local-for-local manufacturing. The discussion also covers Europe’s cost pressures, worsening global overcapacity, integrated business models, and the political backing needed to preserve strategic chemical capacity.

Paul Hodges, chemical industry analyst and chairman of New Normal Consulting, explores how Europe’s chemical distributors are navigating war-driven disruption and China’s expanding capacity. They discuss local-for-local supply, cautious partnerships with Chinese producers, hand-to-mouth purchasing, safety stock, stronger margins, and the growing connection between chemicals, customer relationships, and European defense readiness.

Aswin Kondapally, an ICIS India market specialist, joins Middle East editor Nadim Salamoun and Europe polymer editors Marta Fern and Ben Lake. They unpack how the US-Iran war, stranded Gulf supply and Red Sea disruption are reshaping PE and PP flows. Topics include cautious European buying, firmer polypropylene prices, India’s supply crunch, soaring freight costs and the uncertain outlook for festive demand.

Paul Hodges, Chairman of New Normal Consulting and a chemicals, energy and markets analyst, explores how Middle East conflict could disrupt oil routes, refineries and petrochemical supplies. They discuss depleted strategic reserves, winter shortages, renewed inflation, rising debt pressures and rationing risks. Weak polyethylene margins also reveal fragile demand and limited pricing power, while the show remembers industry contributor John Richardson.

Europe’s increasing reliance on LNG leaves chemical producers exposed to winter price and supply shocks as the Middle East war drags on. Europe has become more reliant on LNG since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 Russian gas market share has dropped sharply from up to 40% to below 10% Strait of Hormuz closure has removed major Qatari LNG, representing 20% of global supply European storage at record low levels in percentage terms ICIS TTF prices increasingly reflect geopolitical risk premiums Winter supply risks will rise if cold weather hits Asia competition with Europe for US LNG depends on spot price spreads Chemicals face renewed energy and feedstock cost pressure Fertiliser margins remain highly exposed to gas prices, possible closures In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Ed Cox, global LNG editor at ICIS. 

Cameron Birch, ICIS’s glycol ethers markets editor, and Mathew Jolin-Beech, an acrylate markets specialist, examine Europe’s subdued oxo-alcohols and derivatives trade. They discuss falling Rhine water levels, disrupted barge logistics, rising feedstock costs, planned maintenance, tighter butyl acetate and acrylate imports, and weak glycol ethers activity. The focus then turns to September restocking and an uncertain autumn outlook.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--India's dependence on polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) imports from the Middle East has made the country vulnerable to disruptions stemming from the ongoing US-Iran conflict.In this podcast, ICIS market specialist Aswin Kondapally discusses feedstock constraints on domestic production, how China has helped bridge supply gaps, and the shifting priorities of buyers navigating logistical uncertainty.This is part two of a two-part series. PP imports from China surged to 45% in early 2026, supplementing SEA cargoes amid Mideast disruptions Buyers prioritize shipment reliability over price amid logistics delays, freight uncertainty Buyers hesitate to place new orders amid delays of previously booked cargoes