ICIS - chemical podcasts

Chemicals sector executives are increasingly facing up to the idea that the sector is going through a process of reinvention, with no big recovery on the horizon and a return to pre-crisis normalcy less likely. Executives are now looking at what the next steps for the sector will be.In this Think Tank podcast, Tom Brown interviews Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting, Katherine Sale,  ICIS head of editorial strategy, and Chris Barker, senior editor covering PVC and caustic soda, on impressions from the EPCA assembly.

According to attendees at the annual European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) conference in Berlin held during 7-10 October, consumption in 2025 is not expected to recover for mixed xylenes (MX), paraxylene (PX) and orthoxylene (OX), with various hurdles highlighted. In this episode, market editors Zubair Adam (MX) and Miguel Rodriguez Fernandez (PX, OX) along with Rob Peacock, ICIS lead analyst for aromatics, share the sentiment captured after talking with various market players at the conference.

Ahead of the 3rd ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference in Berlin on 7 November, Senior Analyst for Recycling Egor Dementev discusses the challenges and opportunities for both mechanical and chemical recycling with Annick Meerschman, Innovation Director at CEFIC.PLUS... 20 CEFIC members are entitled to receive 50% off their registration to the ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference by using code: ICISCEFICMEM Offer is run on a first come first serve basis. Topics covered include: Innovations driving plastic recycling in Europe Chemical recycling technology evolution Impact of legislation and regulation  Challenges facing the recycling industry 

Stephanie Wix, Markets Editor at ICIS, and Meeta Ramnani, Reporter at ICIS, dive into the challenges facing the ABS market and the European plastics landscape. They discuss the Adnoc-Covestro acquisition and its potential impacts on polycarbonate competition. The duo highlights rising freight costs, the push for sustainability amidst recycling trends, and concerns regarding greenwashing. Additionally, they explore shifts in contract negotiations and the role of the upcoming Fakuma trade fair in shaping industry discussions.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The base oils market in UAE is likely to see an uptick in demand in Q4, with the impact of escalating tensions in the region on crude prices and Group I supply from Iran closely monitored in the weeks ahead.  Impact of regional conflict on spot Group I supply from Iran to emerge Group II export offers from the US awaited, to offer clearer near-term market direction Persistent crude volatility may temper base oils uptake Currency woes in Africa may undermine finished lube exports In this chemical podcast, ICIS editor Damini Dabholkar and senior editor manager Veena Pathare discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in UAE.

Join John Richardson and Nigel Davis from the ICIS market development team, along with Paul Hodges, Chairman of New Normal Consulting, as they dive into ADNOC's strategic acquisition of Covestro for €11.7 billion. They discuss the challenges facing Europe’s petrochemical sector, including poor demand in key markets and the surge in mergers and acquisitions. The talk highlights the industry’s shift toward sustainability and the implications of fluctuating oil prices on demand. It's a captivating look at the evolving landscape of chemical markets.

Ahead of the approaching European Petrochemical Conference (EPCA) in Berlin 7-10 October, ICIS editors discuss market conditions in a variety of solvent markets.-          Market updates on methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), isopropanol (IPA), phenol, acetone, toluene, mixed xylenes, glycol ethers and propylene glycol ethers, butyl acetate and ethyl acetate.-          Trade flows and impact of freight rate movements-          Overcapacity versus low demand levels-          Upcoming maintenance programmes In this episode, Jane Massingham talks to editors Nick Cleeve, Jane Gibson, Zubair Adam, Cameron Birch and Marion Boakye.

Ahead of the approaching European Petrochemical Conference (EPCA) in Berlin 7-10 October, ICIS editors discuss market conditions in the olefine and derivative chain.-          Market updates on propylene, ethylene, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), monoethylene glycol (EG), ethylene oxide (EO), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile, monopropylene glycol (MPG) and oxo-alcohols-          Trade flows and impact of freight rate movements-          Overcapacity versus low demand levels-          Upcoming cracker turnarounds In this episode, Jane Massingham talks to editors Nel Weddle, Vicky Ellis, Melissa Hurley, Chris Barker, Nazif Nazmul and Nicole Simpson.

Join Matt Jolan-Beech, Acrylate Esters editor; Cameron Birch, Glycol Ethers editor; and Marion Boakye, Butyl Acetate editor, as they unpack the current challenges in the oxo-alcohols industry. They discuss disappointing post-summer demand and economic uncertainties affecting key sectors like construction and automotive. The trio shares insights on cautious purchasing behaviors and supply constraints. Their outlook for 2025 reveals a tight link between market performance and broader economic trends.

With some economists now forecasting a recession in China, chemicals executives should analyze the possible impact on their businesses. -          China’s economy at a turning point, possibility of recession in 2025-          New government stimulus measures announced today-          Lack of domestic demand makes China reliant on export-driven growth-          Other markets increasingly resistant to Chinese exports, put up trade barriers-          Further slowing of China’s economy will increase global overcapacity pressure-          Chemical companies need to plan for scenario of stagnant China economy