ICIS - chemical podcasts

After a prolonged stagnant period, the Europe and US epoxy resins markets are showing some signs of a firmer sentiment, due to Red Sea shipping effects and the need to restore profitability, although there has been no fundamental recovery in demand so far.The Red Sea shipping disruptions and spiking freight costs for Asian export cargoes have led to more domestic demand opportunities in Europe and the US, particularly in Europe which is more exposed to the structural flow of Asian imports. This increase in domestic demand due to import delays for the most part have led to a firmer tendency. Although underlying demand in both regions is still fragile for macro-economic reasons, but expectations of interest rate cuts bring some hope for demand, but it remains unclear when this demand support will come. Europe ICIS Europe and US epoxy Senior editors Heidi Finch and Tarun Raizada analyse trends in their respective regions and discuss near term outlooks.  US and Europe markets mainly stable in January, some slight firming on logistic impacts, margin recovery needs US epoxy sentiment mixed for February in a still competitive market, amid shaky demand, but logistic pressures Europe epoxy price talks firmer for February on Red Sea effects, need to restore profitability Supply no concern in Europe or US markets so far, but closely watched, amid logistic issues Some demand uplifts, but no fundamental recovery so far. 

SINGAPORE (ICIS)—Governments in Asia-Pacific have implemented several legislations such as Extended Producer Responsibility and Mandatory Post Consumer Recycled Polymer Content in packing as they work towards their sustainability goals.Waste management is crucial in order to achieve plastic circularity. Countries such as Korea with a stronger waste management infrastructure have a higher success rate than countries such as Indonesia, which has a more fragmented waste management infrastructure.In this podcast, ICIS Analysts Chua Xin Nee and Joshua Tan discuss the factors affecting APAC waste management infrastructure.

China's LPG importers in China are facing logistic risks and squeezed margins, including falling GC-FRAID rate, risks at the Panama Canal and the Red Sea. The podcast also analyzes China's LPG and PDE sectors, exploring the margins and operational rates of China's PDE units and the impact of weak propylene prices on the sector's outlook.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asian petrochemicals were mixed in the weeks ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays, with some seeing an uptrend due to cost pressures. However, there is still concern about demand post the holiday.In this chemical podcast, ICIS Deputy News Editor Pearl Bantillo shares an overview of how Asian petrochemical markets have performed pre-holiday.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia's benzene market trended upwards on account of crude gains as well some pre-Lunar New Year restocking. Downstream SM producers however, struggled with higher costs and low demand from PS, EPS and ABS. In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Angeline Soh and Luffy Wu discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia. Benzene Feb cargo sold out from pre-LNY stocking up, US demand as plants shut from winter storm Demand for March cargoes buoyed; buyers beyond Asia worried about tightened supply with upcoming derivative additions in China Asian styrene market players struggling with high costs but low demand Regional styrene exporters eyeing long-haul opportunities to Europe

As more shipping is diverted away from the Suez Canal, supply chains in the UK are being stretched as shipping capacity is reduced and container rates rise. -          UK distributors under pressure as Red Sea disruption increases shipping costs, disruption-          Shortages of capacity as vessels at sea for longer  -          Container rates have doubled, shipping companies unwilling to guarantee space-          Demand spikes as supply chains build safety stocks-          High stock levels have mitigated impact of logistics disruption-          Logistics crisis has dampened optimism for 2024 recovery  -          Consumer confidence hurt by cost of living crisis, political uncertainties-          Chemical Business Association working with government on UK Reach-          China’s economic problems impact chemical markets everywhere

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia's ethylene market saw tighter supply from deep-sea origins, and some restocking in January, before the Lunar New Year holiday. Downstream PVC demand was steady, but buyers in some regions like India resisted higher February offers.In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Damini Dabholkar, Jonathan Chou and Josh Quah discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia. Ethylene deep-sea supply curtailed, pre-Lunar New Year restocking takes place NE Asia PVC supply mixed; producers struggle with squeezed margins Indian PVC buyers resist higher offers amid sufficient availability

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help chemical companies understand the impact of logistics events such as the Panama and Suez canal crises, as well as improve forecasting of demand and pricing. -          AI can help predict impact of events on demand patterns, allocate supply to different locations-          Univar Solutions uses AI to correlate weather patterns, customer order patterns to help forecast demand-          ICIS uses AI to inform scenarios for price and demand forecasting-          AI allows distribution customers create formulations more efficiently-          AI helps customers speed up vetting of customers and pricing-          AI can aid analysis of events such as the Panama Canal and Red Sea crises

European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets sluggish at start of year due to familiar factors. Shipping issues in Red Sea causing disruption. Import activity and butak market in Europe affected by shipping challenges. Slow start to 2024 in chemical markets, impact of Red Sea crisis on shipping and imports. Increased prices and limited availability in glycol ether market due to supply side constraints and weather disruptions.

The podcast discusses the outlook for Asia's polyethylene market in 2024, including new capacities, HDPE oversupply, demand outlook, packaging as a driving force, China's exports, and pricing considerations. It also explores the challenges faced by the P.E. market in Southeast Asia in 2023 and the impact of regional travel resumption, Lunar New Year holidays, and potential pricing support from the Chinese government.