ICIS - chemical podcasts

LONDON (ICIS)--European oxo-alcohols and most of its derivative markets have largely been defined by supply constraints, on the back of upstream challenges and the ongoing disruptions in the Suez Canal.Underlying demand is soft and stable amid the fragile macroeconomic climate. Market players are hoping for some uptick when the spring season commences.Butyl acetate reporter Marion Boakye speaks to oxo-alcohols reporter Nicole Simpson, glycol ethers reporter Cameron Birch and acrylate esters reporter Mathew Jolin Beech about market dynamics down the oxo-alcohols value chain.

Leaders are now more willing to stand up and demand positive action by the EU to save the region’s industrial value chains.  -          Antwerp Declaration shows chemicals leaders now willing to be visible-          CEOs have responsibility to help drive Europe transformation-          Regulators, politicians can deliver better infrastructure, permitting-          European Parliament elections 6-9 June may elect more business-friendly MEPs-          Fundamental shift in Europe demand patterns -          BASF expected to reinvent its Ludwigshafen Verbund site -          Future could see domination by “supermajors” or more protected, regional markets 

European editors Eashani Chavda and Nick Cleeve discuss the latest trends for methanol, acetic acid and purified terephthalic acid (PTA) in this ICIS Podcast. Disrupted Asian imports are causing supply shortages for PTA, leading to some increased domestic demand for methanol and acetic acid ahead of the peak demand season in Q2.

The overall picture for European polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is bleak; the market is likely to be impacted by oversupply in 2024, and demand will still be low in Europe for H1.However, there may be domestic sales opportunities which take advantage of delays to import arrivals from Asia.ICIS Senior Editor Chris Barker interviews ICIS Analyst Valentina Cherubin on the outlook for 2024.

Chemicals and liquefied natural gas (LNG) players are switching from global to a more regional approach to their markets as logistics challenges caused by the Red Sea attacks and Panama Canal drought persist.-          Red Sea disruption may not end until 2025-          Some US chemical prices rising as Panama Canal restrictions continue-          Poor downstream demand caps increases -          Europe isocyanates and polyols react to logistics pressures-          Margins rising for European producers as purchasers switch to local sourcing-          LNG prices are falling despite logistics disruption-          LNG markets now becoming more regional -          LNG globally expected to be oversupplied by 2027/8 as wave of new capacity starts up

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia's ethylene (C2) market saw supply tighten amid fewer volumes from the US in Q1 as a direct result of congestion at the Panama Canal. Over in the Asian propylene (C3) markets, while arbitrage flows remain curtailed by high freight rates, some emerging interest has also been gleaned in the market as regards moving Asian material westwards.In this podcast, ICIS market editors Josh Quah and Julia Tan discuss Asia's olefins flows, with a forward view on the March market. C2 sees support from constrained deep-sea supply NE Asia C2 and C3 outlooks for March Impact of shipping congestion on olefin trade flows

As the phosphoric acid settlement for Q1 is announced and India is eagerly awaiting further details on government subsidies, phosphates markets editor Chris Vlachopoulos and ammonia senior editor Sylvia Traganida discuss developments in their respective markets.They talk about demand, recent developments, and provide insight on the possible ways forward for both markets.

Senior Editor, Recycling in the US, Emily Friedman and VP for the PET chain Antulio Borneo discuss their takeaways from The Packaging Conference held in Austin, Texas from the 12-14 February. Among the key topics, presenters and attendees continued to discuss innovation in sustainability, advocacy within legislation and market drivers that will steer the US recycling markets in 2024. 

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia recycled polymers markets were sluggish for the most part, in 2023.  In early 2024 too, challenges that dim 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. 

This podcast discusses the potential impact of trade barriers and regional isolation on the chemical industry in Europe and the US. It highlights the need for companies to bid for EU funding for investments and predicts 4-5% growth in European chemicals volumes. The podcast also explores the potential for regional isolation in Europe, the influence of slow growth in the automotive and construction industries. It emphasizes the importance of investment in manufacturing and supply chains to secure the future of the chemical industry and promote cleaner practices.