ICIS - chemical podcasts

Women are under-represented in the chemical industry and companies are missing the benefits diversity bring to leadership teams.  -          It could take 50 years for women to achieve gender equality -          Women under 30 have closed the gender pay gap-          But inequality increases at more senior levels-          Burn out is a major problem for female executives-          Companies with diverse workforces out-perform  -          Women deterred from choosing roles which are male-dominated-          Chemical industry only has 30% female workforce globally -          More flexible working arrangements very important -          Women in Chemicals aims to help females achieve their ambitions

LONDON (ICIS)--European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have been slow to start up in the new year as familiar factors suppress consumption.Players were hoping for reasonable restocking activity this month, following the destocking period that took place in late Q4 2024, but spot activity has been below expectations for many players down the value chain.Oxo-alcohols & butyl acetate reporter Marion Boakye speaks to acrylate esters reporter Mathew Jolin-Beech and glycol ethers reporter Cameron Birch about conditions down the oxo-alcohols value chain. 

Detailed modelling by Europe’s principal chemicals trade association analyses different potential routes and technologies as the industry moves towards its aim of carbon neutrality by 2050. -          Report aims to guide chemicals to 2050 EU Green Deal goal of climate neutrality-          Takes into account Scope 1, 2, 3, embedded carbon and end of life emissions-          Modelling covers many types of technologies -          Industry will compete with other sectors for access to scarce resources-          Report models the huge level of investment required Click here to download Cefic’s report “The Carbon Managers: Modelling Possible Pathways for the EU Chemical Sector’s Transition Towards Climate Neutrality and Circularity with iC2050.”ICIS interviews Florie Gonsolin, director industrial transformation projects at Cefic.

Asia BDO editor Corey Chew and European BDO editor Yashas Mudumbai discuss the long supply and low demand conditions across the two regions, and whether regular trade flow will resume after the Lunar New Year holidays.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Asian spot market for butadiene (BD) saw a bullish start to 2025, as prices in both Chinese yuan and US dollar terms surged dramatically.In this latest podcast, ICIS senior editor Ai Teng Lim and industry analyst Elaine Zhang come together to discuss the factors moving prices and to take a peek into what may lie ahead for downstream demand.  Domestic China prices surge on supply factors, raising imports too Uncertainties prevalent on whether downstream demand will hold out Supply outlook uneven between China and wider Asia

At the end of 2024, the European bioplastics industry met to discuss innovations, barriers to growth and the future outlook for production capacity, demand and changes in legislation. ICIS Recycling Analyst Alexandra Tomczyk attended the conference and updates us on the current state of play for the bioplastics market. Some of the key takeaways included: Global capacities are set to grow rapidly in the next 5 years It’s unclear how the rise of bioplastic packaging will impact the goals set in Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations Bioplastics are only one of a range of tools needed to improve the sustainability of plastics

A ceasefire in the Gaza conflict could potentially end attacks in the Red Sea, reopening the Suez Canal and normalising the Asia-to-Europe container shipping route.   -          Gaza ceasefire could stop Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping-          Route via Cape of Good Hope takes 10 days longer than Suez Canal-          Reopening Suez would add 10 days of chemicals inventory to the market-          Europe would be open to more Asia exports-          Freight rates could fall as container capacity is freed up  -          ‘Stunning’ levels of overcapacity expected in China in 2025-          New Cefic report highlights need for new Europe industrial deal for chemicals

Nigel Davis from ICIS shares insights on chemical industry trends, while John Richardson analyzes global capacity and trade dynamics. Paul Hodges discusses how geopolitical factors will impact the market. They explore the troubling rise of global overcapacity and depressed demand. The conversation highlights the potential effects of Donald Trump's tariffs on trade and inflation. Plus, they delve into China's struggling economy and the challenges of misinformation. Amidst the chaos, they pinpoint growth opportunities linked to the low carbon agenda.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asia ethylene editor Josh Quah and analyst Aliena Huang talk about the Asia outlook for ethylene arbitrage cargoes for 2025 with markets editor Damini Dabholkar.  Ethylene loadings from US in December continue to favour southeast Asia destinations More intra-Asia tradeflows between northeast and southeast Asia expected for H1 2025 Increasing ethane competitivity and demand may curtail US ethylene exports to Asia

This discussion features Cameron Birch, the glycol ethers report editor at ICIS, who provides keen insights into the European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets. The panel highlights the subdued winter demand and ongoing de-stocking practices as 2023 closes. They delve into supply dynamics, particularly in the automotive sector, and the cautious outlook for 2025 amidst economic challenges. The conversation raises questions about potential market recovery while acknowledging that significant improvements remain unlikely.