ICIS - chemical podcasts

Exploring recent cracker closures in Europe and Japan due to overcapacity. Impact on ethylene capacity and potential for more closures. China's dominance in global chemical markets, potential negative growth. Discussion on shifting sites to low carbon, local markets.

The urea market is expected to remain subdued as Chinese exports resume over the next few months and given Iranian producers eagerness to move product before any fresh sanctions are imposed.  China exports to resume but challenges remain Iran offers over 200,000 tonnes for May India’s return unlikely before June  In this podcast, ICIS senior editors Sylvia Traganida and Deepika Thapliyal discuss the globally supply and demand situation for urea and ammonia, and the future developments for both products.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Persistent production constraints have driven Asia’s spot prices for butadiene (BD) to near two-year-high levels, but how the rally may go from here may hinge on downstream demand conditions.    Prolonged under-utilisation of regional crackers dented regional BD output  Exports from China helped to plug some of these supply gaps  Mixed views about downstream demand outlook  In this podcast, ICIS editors Ai Teng Lim and Aviva Zhang discuss how regional supply and demand balance has evolved across different Asian outlets and how this may pan out from here for the near future.  

Europe markets editor Nicole Simpson and Asia markets editor Julia Tan discuss the tight European Oxwell alcohols market conditions, impact of force-majeure on the Asian market, oversupply in China, and challenges in the downstream plasticizers sector. They also explore the competitive plasticizers market in China, relief in the European oxo-alcohols market, and the impact of China's capacity expansion on the market sentiment.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--In this podcast, ICIS Analyst Sijia Li and ICIS Senior Industry Analyst Joanne Wang talk about highlights in in polyolefin market to provide background for you to visit Chinaplas.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Buying in Asia and the Middle East polyethylene terephthalate (PET) markets remained relatively need-based, with factors like geopolitical tensions and uncertainties in freight rates clouding sentiment. ·         Mixed sentiment in Asian markets, PET tracks upstream closely·         Uncertainty around freight rates leads to need-based buying·         Inventories with Mideast buyers high, however some replenishment expected post-Eid breakIn this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Damini Dabholkar and Zachary Tia discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia and the Mideast. ICIS will be at the Chinaplas conference in Shanghai from 23-26 April. Please feel free to get in touch with our team there. 

Exploring the upcoming EU packaging regulation with its disruptive effects on the petrochemical sector. Delving into recyclability mandates, recycled content goals, and packaging reusability requirements. Highlighting the impact on the polymer industry and material restrictions. Discussing industry collaboration in renewable energy and recycling initiatives. Addressing challenges in the plant plastics sector and regulatory adjustments to foster innovations in plastic recycling.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia recycled polymers markets were sluggish for the most part in 2023. In early 2024 too, challenges that dim the short-term outlook persist.Some legislations surrounding recycling were also put in place in the region over the last few years, but the obstacles that limit the growth of this sector still remain.In this chemical podcast, ICIS senior editor Arianne Perez and analysts Joshua Tan and Chua Xin Nee share their insights on the topic.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)— China recently recorded an average propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit run rate of 47.6% on 3 April, down from 58.7% from a week before, marking the biggest week-on-week decrease ever and hitting the lowest point on record, according to ICIS data.   However, the average operating rate of PDH units in China is expected to pick up from late April as restarts are expected amid expectations of wider propylene-propane price spreads in Q2 and Q3. In this podcast, ICIS Analyst Wang Yan shares insights on the challenges faced by PDH operators. 

Governments around the world are accelerating moves to impose anti-dumping duties as China ramps up exports of excess chemicals capacities. -          New wave of chemicals anti-dumping investigations against China-          Led by EU, US, India, Brazil, South Korea-          China exporting more excess chemicals and other industrial products-          China imports an added burden for struggling chemical companies in Europe -          More trade barriers could drive deglobalization of chemical markets-          China, Japan and India rely heavily on exports to fuel their economies