ICIS - chemical podcasts

SINGAPORE (ICIS) — Asia propylene will continue to see new capacities coming from China in H2 2024, while its demand is also likely to improve as new derivative projects come up.Margin challenges may continue to impact the market by altering propylene and its derivatives’ operations. As China is the largest producer and consumer globally, dynamics in the country will impact the wider Asia propylene market. What will be the outlook for propylene in 2024? In this podcast, analysts Joey Zhou and Seymour Chenxia discuss the trends and outlook for the Asia propylene market.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)-- China's recent decision to include hydrogen in its draft national energy law signals a transformative shift in the country's energy landscape.By positioning hydrogen alongside traditional energy sources, China is unlocking vast investment opportunities and paving the way for robust market growth in the burgeoning hydrogen sector.In this podcast, ICIS analysts Patricia Tao and Yu Yunfeng delve into how this strategic focus on hydrogen will reshape China's energy sector and foster sustainable industrial growth.

Nigel Davis, a member of the ICIS market engagement team, shares insights on the impacts of climate change on the US Gulf Coast's chemical industry. He discusses Hurricane Beryl's landfall and the implications of more frequent severe weather. The conversation covers the need for the industry to adapt through infrastructure modifications and sustainable practices. With rising electric vehicle sales and a shift toward renewable energy, Davis emphasizes the urgency for strategic planning to ensure resilience amid these disruptions in supply chains.

Squeezed by high propane costs and weak propylene prices, some Chinese propane dehydrogenation (PDH) operators are turning to a potential lifeline: commercializing hydrogen, a valuable byproduct of their operations. 

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- The ICIS recycling analyst team recently presented on Asia’s recycling market at the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) in Seoul, Korea, and at Alliance to End Plastic Waste’s CEO round table in Beijing, China.  Join recycling analysts Joshua Tan and Chua Xin Nee in this podcast as they have a conversation about key takeaways from both events, pyrolysis in Korea, and recycling in China. If you would like to know more about Asia’s recycling market, feel free to reach out to our recycling analysts at joshua.tan@icis.com and xinnee.chua@icis.com. 

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- The ICIS recycling analyst team recently presented on Asia’s recycling market at the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) in Seoul, Korea, and at Alliance to End Plastic Waste’s CEO round table in Beijing, China.  Join recycling analysts Joshua Tan and Chua Xin Nee in this podcast as they have a conversation about key takeaways from both events, pyrolysis in Korea, and recycling in China. If you would like to know more about Asia’s recycling market, feel free to reach out to our recycling analysts at joshua.tan@icis.com and xinnee.chua@icis.com. 

Chemical companies can expect to pay even more for container space along the Asia to Europe route as attacks against shipping persist, port congestion grows and demand rises. -          Shipping rates soar amid congestion, rising demand, echoing post-pandemic era-          Shipping reliability, customer service levels have fallen-          Shippers reorganizing routes, focussing on big ports like Singapore-          Global container shipping capacity growing by 20% year-on-year -          Container fleet utilization over 90% despite rising supply-          End of Houthi Red Sea attacks would cause freight rates to collapse-          Demand rising for containers even though industrial demand is flat -          Huge investment in port, road, rail infrastructure especially in Asia-          Logistics problems leave oversupply trapped in Asia-          More trade barriers may protect regional markets

Claire Gao, an expert analyst in the oxo-alcohols market, shares her insights on current trends and challenges in this vital sector. She discusses the fluctuations in market prices, driven by shifts in demand for MBA and 2-H. Claire also highlights the supply implications in East China, revealing how new capacities may influence global trade dynamics. Additionally, she addresses potential roadblocks in international markets, making for a compelling analysis of what’s to come in oxo-alcohols.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s base oils supply is expected to improve slightly in H2 2024, while overall demand will likely improve towards the later part of Q3 with the onset of the seasonal peak.  Group I brightstock supply from southeast Asia and Group II supply from South Korea expected to gradually increase  India demand to pick up in September after monsoon; China demand to remain stagnant amid economic woes  Tight Group I base oils supply to remain offset by sluggish demand  In this podcast, editors Matthew Chong and Michelle Liew discuss trends in the Asian base oils market.

LONDON (ICIS)--European monoethylene glycol (MEG) editor, Melissa Hurley, explores the global glycol situation with Judith Wang, Cindy Qiu, Melissa Wheeler and Antulio Borneo. Asia tug of war between limited imports and sluggish demand Downstream polyester plants may cut operating rates further in China China MEG inventories fluctuated between 700,000 and 800,000 in June European import supply set to improve in July Tropical storm Alberto brings heavy rainfall but no impacts to gulf coast production  MEG US demand could be affected by the issues with PTA plants in Mexico Additional reporting from senior editor Judith Wang, Cindy Qiu and Melissa Wheeler and Antulio Borneo.