ICIS - chemical podcasts

With H1 2025 already in the rear-view mirror, and the summer heatwave upon us once again, the acetone and phenol, and derivative markets, continue to be blighted by difficulties.Demand, pretty much across the board in this value chain as well as for many other products, remains stubbornly weak. Supply is ample in most cases as well, leading to stagnant markets, sluggish spot activity, and contracts doing the majority of the heavy lifting in the markets. In this podcast, Europe ICIS editors Jane Gibson (acetone and phenol), Heidi Finch (bisphenol A and epoxy resins), Sam Lovatt (polycarbonate), Mathew Jolin-Beech (methyl methacrylate) and ICIS senior analyst Michele Bossi (aromatics and derivatives) discuss current market conditions, and look forward to H2 2025.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Trade tensions have been in focus for the wider petrochemical markets since US Liberation Day tariffs were announced. In this podcast, propylene editor Julia Tan speaks with ethylene editor Josh Quah to examine how recent tariff developments have impacted the Asian olefins market. Ethylene support collapses with ethane resolution, new downstream demand to cushion drops  US tariff impact to trickle up from end use sectors  Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange announces propylene futures, beginning 22 July

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asian methanol prices have experienced a lot of volatility over the last few weeks, due to geopolitical concerns in the Middle East. While most production returned to normal in early July, some questions still remain around demand, both in India and the rest of Asia. Production in Iran, southeast Asia returns to normal US tariffs, seasonal factors to affect demand from downstream applications MTO run rates in China may be adjusted in July, margins may narrow In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Doris He and Damini Dabholkar discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia.

European politicians must decide if they want to save the region’s chemical industry as the wave of energy-intensive closures continues. -          Dow to close cracker at Bohlen, Germany plus two other sites with loss of 800 jobs-          More than 5 million tonnes/year of ethylene capacity now under threat in Europe-          Industry still faces high energy costs, regulatory burdens, unfair competition-          China will continue to add capacity at least to 2030-          China chemical plants running at higher-than-expected operating rates-          Importing ethylene and propylene can be expensive-          Political support will be vital to save Europe’s chemical industry-          New US tariffs may see two-tier chemical markets emerge in Asia-          Uncertainty and chaos likely to persist

Joining the discussion is Paul Hodges, Chairman of New Normal Consulting and an expert in global economic trends impacting the chemical industry. He delves into the fragility of key economies, revealing that they aren't as robust as they seem. The rising challenge of China's polypropylene exports and the massive crisis due to European plant shutdowns is alarming. Hodges also highlights the urgent need for climate change action and how resilient innovation in the industry could pave the way for a sustainable future amidst these economic trials.

In this podcast, market editors Zubair Adam (MX) and Miguel Rodriguez Fernandez (PX, OX) showcase the low levels of consumption in Europe.

China's expansion of its carbon market and the EU's implementation of CBAM are reshaping the landscape for high-emission industries. Steel, aluminum and cement are under increasing pressure to decarbonize, and hydrogen is emerging as a strategic solution.In this podcast, ICIS analysts Patricia Tao and Lewis Unstead compare China and Europe’s approaches to decarbonizing heavy industry, and discuss the role of hydrogen in this transformation.

Weak demand continues to plague Europe’s oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets, particularly affecting automotive and construction sectors. Economic and geopolitical challenges are tightening supply levels and pricing trends. The discussion covers how the Middle East conflict influences market sentiment, pushing reliance on contracted volumes instead of spot trading. Experts analyze the oversupply situation and the low pricing trends for products like butyl acetate, shedding light on potential future implications despite a lack of immediate geopolitical effects.

Dorothee Arns, Director General of the European Association of Chemical Distributors, discusses how the Israel/Iran conflict and other geopolitical issues are shaking up the chemical distribution sector. Paul Hodges, Chairman of New Normal Consulting, shares insights on the overcapacity crisis driven by China and the resulting volatility. The conversation highlights the urgent need for innovation and local sourcing to navigate these challenges. With prolonged uncertainty ahead, both guests emphasize the importance of agility in supply chains to mitigate risks and harness new opportunities.

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.