ICIS - chemical podcasts

Senior editors Vicky Ellis, Ben Lake and Samantha Wright look at what else made August unusual, and look ahead to September in this latest podcast on Europe, Africa and Turkey markets.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published the August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report, which shows the latest outlook for increased corn and soybean production with corn being calculated at 15.1 billion bushels, up 47 million bushels from the July report, while soybeans are projected to be 4.6 billion bushels, up 154 million bushels.Senior Editor Mark Milam talks to Sylvia Traganida about the report and the current trends in the US market.

Recycled Plastics analyst Corbin Olson and US Recycled Plastics senior editor Emily Friedman discuss the main takeaways from the latest round of corporate quarterly earnings calls, as they relate to the US recycled plastics industry. Key takeaways included: Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies largely showed positive North American sales volumes, though some continue to see negative volumes due to the current inflationary environment. Durables markets, such as pipe and composite decking which use recycled plastic as a raw material, showed moderate progress, with weakness in agricultural and residential end markets. Broader economic softness in construction, automotive and housing continues to exert downwards pressure. Waste management companies largely saw strong earnings, with several investing in recycling collection and sortation infrastructure, but also in downstream in plastics recycling capacity. Republic Services notes progress on their Polymer Centers. Virgin petrochemical players continue to integrate with recycling operations Dow aquires Circulus LyondellBasell pending FID on Houston chemical recycling unit ExxonMobil pledes increased chemical recycling capacity in 2025 Eastman shows progress on operation of Kingsport methanolysis facility, lowers earnings guidance PET sales volumes increase, amid weaker market pricing; R-PET forecasts remain strong for future demand  Additional questions or concerns? Please contact us. 

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- The third plenary session of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee recently concluded in July, with the CCP underlining the country’s long-term economic strategy. This session, a significant event in China’s economic planning, serves as a guide for both immediate and long-term policies.  Market balance healthier than expected on delays in capacity additions No specific stimulus policies announced, market participants eye 5% GDP target Market sentiment generally supported by Third Plenum Senior editor Julia Tan speaks with senior analyst Joey Zhou on what China's Third Plenum could mean for Asia's propylene markets. 

Market participants in Europe and Asia are bracing for underwhelming demand for plasticizers and oxo-alcohols in the latter half of the year. Rising freight costs and macroeconomic pressures are complicating trade flows. The construction industry's struggles further dampen prospects. Despite hopes for recovery driven by stimulus policies and lower interest rates, skepticism lingers about their effectiveness in 2024. Overall, the outlook remains cautious as margins tighten and competition intensifies.

Recent prices skyrocketing in Asia styrene prices is because of unexpected outages at European plants and it is expected to pull up Asia benzene and downstream styrene prices in August.  

Stephanie Wix, Editor of the Europe ABS report, and Nazif Nazmul, Editor of the Europe ACN report, dive into the intricate dynamics of the European acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and acrylonitrile markets. They discuss how geopolitical tensions and maritime security issues are impacting supply and demand, while highlighting a cautious optimism for future recovery. The conversation also touches on the role of imports and logistics, as well as the interconnected nature of these markets amid ongoing economic challenges.

Ethane is gaining favor as the feedstock for steam crackers in China, as its competitive prices make ethane-cracking the most profitable route for ethylene production compared to other options. 

Suratman Nurluqman, deputy news editor at ICIS Asia, and hydrogen analyst Patricia Tao delve into China's booming hydrogen sector. They unveil how hydrogen production has surged, with 80% still coming from coal and natural gas. Refineries are pivotal as stricter automotive fuel standards drive demand. A transformative shift towards cleaner blue and renewable hydrogen sources is on the horizon, reshaping China’s energy landscape. The discussion highlights the crucial role of refining in this exciting energy transition.

Cameron Birch, a glycol ethers report editor, joins Nicole Simpson, the oxo-alcohols editor, and Mat Jolin-Beech, who specializes in acrylate esters. They discuss the European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets, noting subdued summer activity and healthy supply levels. The trio examines the sluggish demand from key sectors and how interest rates impact market dynamics. They also dive into rising shipping costs and specific supply challenges, shedding light on broader industry trends affecting the chemical landscape.