ICIS - chemical podcasts

HOUSTON (ICIS)—US ethylene glycol (EG) markets reporter Melissa Wheeler discusses global market dynamics and factors on the EG markets with Judith Wang, Asia EG Senior Editor, and Nicole Simpson, Europe EG Markets Editor.Market factors discussed include: News regarding China’s economic policies boosted market sentiment short-term Global lack of downstream PET demand pulling MEG demand lower US EG supply disruptions due to tariffs Upcoming outages at Shell’s North America sites and BASF’s Belgium site

James McLeary, Managing Director of Biffa Polymers, shares insights on the challenges facing the UK recycling sector amid plant closures, emphasizing the need for more support for local initiatives. Tom Brown, ICIS Insight Editor, discusses the EU-US trade deal's impact, revealing how it alleviates some tariff pressures but leaves many questions unanswered. The conversation dives into the potential of the Wilton chemical site for a circular economy and the struggle for workers amid rising competition and regulatory changes.

The podcast dives into the sluggish state of Europe's oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets, highlighting the impending summer slowdown. With economic uncertainty at play, demand for key chemicals like butyl acetate is expected to dwindle. The discussion also covers the acrylic esters market, marked by excess supply and weak demand trends. Additionally, challenges in the glycoethers market are explored, including a production fire in Saudi Arabia and geopolitical factors affecting exports. It's a comprehensive look at a struggling sector.

Slowing demand growth and a battle for market share between Saudi Arabia and the US could see crude oil prices drop significantly by the end of the year. -          High oil prices stimulate more production, low prices less-          Saudi Arabia and the US battle for market share-          Global demand for oil is around 100 million barrels/day-          Electric vehicles (EVs) have destroyed 2 million barrel/day of oil demand -          Globally around 20% of vehicle sales are EVs-          Oil prices could fall to $40-$45/barrel by the end of the year-          Oil demand growth weakest in 16 years-          Low oil price is double-edged sword for chemical markets In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting. 

As the existing global trading system crumbles, and overcapacity keeps growing, Europe’s chemical industry must move back to a more national or regional business model.  -          Trade war shows global trading system is breaking down-          Chemical industry could move back to a national or regional business model-          Would be a return to pre-1990s industry structure-          Europe has smaller chemical plants, ideal for regional markets-          EU must now act fast to protect chemical and industrial value chains-          China chemicals has been based on 6-8% GDP growth per year-          Now real GDP growth is only 1-4%, according to unofficial estimatesIn this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews John Richardson from the ICIS market development team, ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting. 

With H1 2025 already in the rear-view mirror, and the summer heatwave upon us once again, the acetone and phenol, and derivative markets, continue to be blighted by difficulties.Demand, pretty much across the board in this value chain as well as for many other products, remains stubbornly weak. Supply is ample in most cases as well, leading to stagnant markets, sluggish spot activity, and contracts doing the majority of the heavy lifting in the markets. In this podcast, Europe ICIS editors Jane Gibson (acetone and phenol), Heidi Finch (bisphenol A and epoxy resins), Sam Lovatt (polycarbonate), Mathew Jolin-Beech (methyl methacrylate) and ICIS senior analyst Michele Bossi (aromatics and derivatives) discuss current market conditions, and look forward to H2 2025.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Trade tensions have been in focus for the wider petrochemical markets since US Liberation Day tariffs were announced. In this podcast, propylene editor Julia Tan speaks with ethylene editor Josh Quah to examine how recent tariff developments have impacted the Asian olefins market. Ethylene support collapses with ethane resolution, new downstream demand to cushion drops  US tariff impact to trickle up from end use sectors  Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange announces propylene futures, beginning 22 July

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asian methanol prices have experienced a lot of volatility over the last few weeks, due to geopolitical concerns in the Middle East. While most production returned to normal in early July, some questions still remain around demand, both in India and the rest of Asia. Production in Iran, southeast Asia returns to normal US tariffs, seasonal factors to affect demand from downstream applications MTO run rates in China may be adjusted in July, margins may narrow In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Doris He and Damini Dabholkar discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia.

European politicians must decide if they want to save the region’s chemical industry as the wave of energy-intensive closures continues. -          Dow to close cracker at Bohlen, Germany plus two other sites with loss of 800 jobs-          More than 5 million tonnes/year of ethylene capacity now under threat in Europe-          Industry still faces high energy costs, regulatory burdens, unfair competition-          China will continue to add capacity at least to 2030-          China chemical plants running at higher-than-expected operating rates-          Importing ethylene and propylene can be expensive-          Political support will be vital to save Europe’s chemical industry-          New US tariffs may see two-tier chemical markets emerge in Asia-          Uncertainty and chaos likely to persist

Joining the discussion is Paul Hodges, Chairman of New Normal Consulting and an expert in global economic trends impacting the chemical industry. He delves into the fragility of key economies, revealing that they aren't as robust as they seem. The rising challenge of China's polypropylene exports and the massive crisis due to European plant shutdowns is alarming. Hodges also highlights the urgent need for climate change action and how resilient innovation in the industry could pave the way for a sustainable future amidst these economic trials.