ICIS - chemical podcasts

HOUSTON (ICIS)—US polyethylene terephthalate markets reporter Melissa Wheeler interviews Vice President of the North America PET/Polyester Chain, Antulio Borneo.PET market factors discussed include: Tariffs on Mexico and Canada imports and the impacts to the US PET market Supply and demand balance going into the peak summer season China’s antimony bans on exports to the US and the impact that will have on PET production

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The northeast Asian propylene import markets have been weighed down by lengthening supply amid restarts at propane dehydrogenation (PDH) units. However, lower affordability levels from derivatives such as propylene oxide (PO) have also curbed import demand.  NE Asia propylene prices cool on weaker demand amid lower affordability levels Oversupply a central issue in northeast Asia for PO makers  Tight SE Asia propylene supply likely to continue amid shutdowns In this latest podcast, ICIS senior editor Julia Tan speaks with markets editor Shannen Ng to discuss market conditions and expectations for the near future.

BARCELONA (ICIS)--The European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal may not be radical enough to reverse the decline of Europe’s petrochemical industry. Member states urged to lower energy bills by cutting taxes to legal minimums Improve infrastructure and connections to ease flow of renewable electricity €100 billion to support EU-made clean manufacturing, but questions over how chemicals can access the money Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for energy-intensive industries to partner with renewable energy providers More measures against unfair foreign competition Measures to boost circular economy and recycling But nothing game-changing or radical enough  In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS senior energy reporter Gretchen Ransow, ICIS chief news correspondent for Europe, Tom Brown and Nigel Davis from the ICIS market development team.

LONDON (ICIS)--Recent escalations in the US-China tariff war are set to create waves in the Asian and European import markets for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI).Isocyanates Europe editor Zubair Adam and Asia editor Shannen Ng show case the key developments.

LONDON (ICIS)--The European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have seen a mix of stable to firm pricing coming into February. Focus is shifting towards what demand trends may look like into the spring months and on current supply disruptions in the market.Glycol ethers report editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols editor and butyl acetate editor Marion Boakye, acrylate esters editor Mat Jolin-Beech about the current conditions in these markets and expectations for the near future.

Europe’s petrochemical sector will need to see bold moves in the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal to help reverse its decline.-          May be a conflict between aim of making Europe more competitive and environmental goals-          Europe is in the “last chance saloon” to halt deindustrialisation-          Europe industry burdened by high cost of energy, CO2-          Improved connectivity for renewable power will be essential for chemicals-          Reform of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) welcome if it really protects local manufacturing -          Huge investment needed to make a low carbon future a reality-          ICIS forecasts depressed operating rates for global ethylene, propylene to 2035-          EU should focus on increasing tariff barriers, defence spending-          Clean Industrial Deal should be welcomed as a direct response to Antwerp Declaration -          Deal will be published on Wednesday 26 February 

 In this podcast, market editors Zubair Adam (MX) and Miguel Rodriguez Fernandez (PX) discuss the challenges for future demand. 

John Richardson, Market Development Director, hosts this new series of ICIS podcasts focusing on the subject of sustainability, and more specifically, recycling. In this first episode, John speaks to Helen McGeough, Global Plastics Recycling Analytics Team Lead, and Matt Tudball, Senior Editor for Recycling, Europe about how EU regulation is impacting the European recycling market now and in the future, and why European regulation will have a much more global impact.Topics include:  Breaking down European legislation (Single Use Plastics, Packaging & Packaging Waste, End of Life Vehicles) Impact on collection, sorting and quality of plastic waste in Europe and beyond Europe's competitiveness in the recycling space and how the economics compare How regulation may be a barrier for imports into the EU What's the future of plastics if the regulation does not work?

LONDON (ICIS)--Halfway through Q1 - and it is no surprise that there are still a host of challenges facing the phenol, acetone and derivatives chain. These include high energy costs, ongoing poor demand and the uncertainty around future trade flows given fresh Asia capacity and any tariffs – and reciprocal tariffs - from the new Trump administration.Europe ICIS editors Jane Gibson (acetone and phenol), Heidi Finch (bisphenol A and epoxy resins), Meeta Ramnani (polycarbonate), Mathew Jolin-Beech (methyl methacrylate) and ICIS senior analyst Michele Bossi (aromatics and derivatives) discuss current market conditions, in particular demand challenges, in view of residual macro and geopolitical headwinds, so far in 2025. European PC under a lot of pressure by low demand and Asian imports as all suppliers try to get a piece of the small cake Epoxy, BPA demand subdued, but EU ADDs for epoxy to bring some opportunities Low demand thwarts phenol market, with acetone yet to offer any real margin support Europe MMA facing growing pressures from rising production costs and stubbornly weak demand Podcast editing by Mathew Jolin-Beech

The Global Impact Coalition (GIC) aims to bring chemical companies and value chain partners together to solve challenges on the road to net zero carbon. -          Collective effort will bring down the cost of sustainable solutions-          GIC is spin off from the World Economic Forum -          Major chemical company members include BASF, SABIC, Clariant, Covestro, LyondellBasell, Mitsubishi, Syensqo, LG Chem-          Automotive plastics recycling is a key focus-          Fully decarbonised car would only add $900 to final price-          On average decarbonising only adds 2-4% to final price of most goods-          However decarbonization costs rise steeply up the value chain-          GIC aims to grow geographically and along industrial value chainsICIS journalist Will Beacham interviews Charlie Tan, CEO of the GIC and Lars Kissau, president of BASF’s Net Zero Accelerator.