The Chemical Show: Where Leaders Talk Business

Trillium is making waves with their green technology, replacing petroleum  feedstocks with renewable feedstocks to make acrylonitrile. In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer chats with Corey Tyree, the co-founder and CEO of Trillium Renewable Chemicals about building successful partnerships, the power of experience, and driving sustainability in the chemical industry. Learn more about the following topics this week:Creating partnerships to support product development in a startup Hallmarks of a great partnershipThe diverse end-uses of acrylonitrileThe importance of customer development and consumer demandThe challenge of talent development and acquisition in a startupFeasibility of Net zero and carbon neutrality by 2050Victoria and Corey dive into the importance of partnerships with corporations, transparency, and trust in achieving successful collaborations, as well as the challenges and opportunities in scaling up their manufacturing plant. Corey also shares insights into the growing demand for green chemistry chemistry and the need for more industry experience within the startup space. Join Victoria and Corey as they explore the exciting world of renewable chemicals and the quest for a more sustainable future.Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights. Sponsored by:World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global on March 23-27, 2026.Use the code CHEMSHOW5% at wpc.spglobal.com

While most chemical industry companies and business leaders were anticipating improvements by 2H23, it has proved to be a challenging quarter for most companies, leading into a challenging year. In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer explores why many companies are lowering full-year earnings outlooks and what’s driving current market conditions. Learn more about the following in this episode:Insights from 2Q23 chemical industry earnings reportsWorst period of chemical inventory destocking since 2008-9Effect of sluggish economies in Europe and ChinaInflationary effects - slowing demand for consumer goodsStrategies companies are using to respond to challenging market conditionsJoin Victoria as she digs into the second quarter 2023 earnings reports, analyzing the challenges faced by chemical companies and searching for valuable insights. Victoria shares indicators for improvement on the horizon, the possibilities of a period of flat demand before a significant increase, as well as the expected inventory restocking.Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.Additional links:2Q23 Earnings Reports:Huntsman StepanEastmanShellBASFLanxessChemoursPhillips 66ExxonMobil Sponsored by:World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global on March 23-27, 2026.Use the code CHEMSHOW5% at wpc.spglobal.com

The global chemical industry job market continues to feel the ripple effects from the pandemic and work-life balance values have shifted. Sharing his insights on the state of the chemical industry, Stephen Mothersole, CEO of Chemical Search International, joins host Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show to discuss the challenges in diversity and inclusion, the impact of remote work on talent acquisition, and the changing hiring criteria post-COVID.Learn more about the following topics this week:Current trends in chemical industry talent search: DE&I, AI, shift to remote workSoft skills in chemical industry job candidatesHow global events are affecting executive searchTools for finding talent in today's job marketMost active sectors within the industry for talent development and movementWar on chemical industry talent in Europe and AsiaHiring outlook for 2023 and 2024Victoria and Stephen acknowledge that the talent pool in the chemical industry, especially in petrochemicals, is not as diverse and that diversity and inclusion within the industry has a long way to go. Victoria and Stephen discuss the importance of human interaction, AI’s impact on executive search, and the age of remote work.Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights. Sponsored by:World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global on March 23-27, 2026.Use the code CHEMSHOW5% at wpc.spglobal.com

From collaborating with major brands to navigating the challenges of sustainable product development and end-of-life solutions, Scott Bober, Senior VP of Global Sales at CJ Biomaterials joins host Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show to provide valuable insights into the ever-evolving world of sustainable chemicals and materials. CJ Biomaterials is a startup within CJ CheilJedang, the 7th largest conglomerate in Korea. Victoria and Scott discuss CJ’s recent acquisition of Metabolics, giving them an advantage in commercializing their product. Learn more about the following topics this week:1. Helping companies meet ESG and Sustainability Standards through bio-packaging2. Commercializing Sustainable Products 3. Identifying Partnerships at different points in the value chain4. Establishing internal processes in a startup business 5. Bioplastics vs. cost6. Finding customer and Consumer value in sustainable productsVictoria and Scott also discuss the challenges associated with consumer demand for sustainable products, lack of infrastructure for composting, and the cost of replacing widely used plastics. Sharing how CJ navigates challenges with specialty industrial marketing, Scott discusses their work in sustainability, involving government affairs, collaboration with internal food brands, and attending trade shows. Join us on this episode of The Chemical Show as we explore CJ's exciting journey in the chemical industry, their commitment to sustainability, and their vision for a more environmentally-friendly future.Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights. Sponsored by:World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global on March 23-27, 2026.Use the code CHEMSHOW5% at wpc.spglobal.com

Digitization and supply chain go hand-in-hand.  In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer welcomes Arun Samuga, Chief Innovation Officer at Elemica to expand on the development of new digital products and solutions in the area of supply chain innovation. Arun emphasizes the importance of educating potential clients about the advantages of embarking on a digital journey while exploring the various benefits of digitization, including reducing working capital, increasing cash on hand, investing in customer experience and sustainability, and expanding sales channels.  Learn more about the following in this episode:Evolution of chemical process companiesHow business system connectivity supports the supply chainWhy companies are mix-and-matching digital and automation solutions Digitization in smaller companiesElemica’s Multichannel StrategyThe democratization of AI Victoria and Arun discuss Elemica’s digital solutions, which impact various business functions from fulfillment to procurement to customer service. Arun discusses Elemica’s move towards providing customized services to cater to the unique needs of different enterprises.Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights. Sponsored by:World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global on March 23-27, 2026.Use the code CHEMSHOW5% at wpc.spglobal.com

Wondering how to get better results from your strategy?In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer explores the topic of strategy execution and the common pitfalls organizations face. Victoria discusses the necessity of involving the entire organization in the strategy process to ensure understanding and alignment. Citing a recent study conducted by Harvard Business Review, Victoria highlights the significant gap between executives' perception of strategic alignment and employees' actual understanding. Learn more about the following in this episode:Challenges in Vision and Strategy Development Risks of Top Down StrategyGap in Executive and Employee Strategic Alignment Understanding4 Approaches to Overcoming the Strategy DisconnectWhy Employee Engagement is Critical to Strategy DevelopmentVictoria emphasizes the importance of engaging employees in the strategy setting process in order to drive buy-in and shared context. Discussing the risks of not getting the vision and strategy right, especially in the ever-changing post-pandemic world, Victoria offers compelling approaches to engaging employees and overcoming strategy disconnect. Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.Additional links:Harvard Business Review: Is Your Company as Strategically Aligned as You Think It Is? Sponsored by:World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global on March 23-27, 2026.Use the code CHEMSHOW5% at wpc.spglobal.com

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer invites George L. Vann, president of EcoServices, which is a part of Ecovyst to chat about his unique career path - from graduating with a mechanical engineering degree, to serving in the military, to various roles in the chemical industry. George emphasizes the importance of long-term relationships with customers and the need for long-term contracts to establish trust and dependability. He also shares insights into fundamental factors across businesses, including growth, providing value to customers, and attracting and retaining talent.Learn more about the following in this episode:1. Applying Leadership skills US Army to Business2. Business mindset: big vs. small companies3. Weathering economic storms in business4. Impact of electrification on sulfur business5. Circularity and sustainability in mature industries   6. The importance of talent and skilled tradesDrawing upon his military background, George discusses the leadership skills he acquired, emphasizing the importance of working with people, considering different viewpoints, making informed decisions, and taking accountability. Victoria and George also explore how creating partnerships with educational institutions help to develop internship and trainee programs, which can help create a pipeline of qualified individuals for vocational technical positions. Lastly, George highlights the need for smaller companies like Ecovyst to create unique value propositions to attract talent.Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights. Sponsored by:World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global on March 23-27, 2026.Use the code CHEMSHOW5% at wpc.spglobal.com

Your customers are the key to strategic success.In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer delves into the importance of engaging customers early on to de-risk business strategy. Victoria shares valuable insights and strategies for effectively engaging customers and stakeholders during key business changes and decisions. Discussing the benefits of introducing a new product or service and involving customers early in the development process, Victoria explores the barriers and fears that may prevent business leaders from seeking customer feedback and provides strategies to overcome them. Learn more about the following in this episode:Why early Customer and Stakeholder Engagement mattersManaging Risk - a key leadership roleEngaging your customers to build ambassadors Time is money: Ask the right questions early, to increase success laterHow to engage your customersUsing real-life examples from industry leaders like Shell and Ford Motor Company, Victoria emphasizes the need for customer and stakeholder engagement to inform decisions, test assumptions, and create successful strategies. Join Victoria for this insightful episode to learn how proactive customer engagement can help de-risk your business and build strong relationships with your target market.Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.Additional links:Focus: The manufacturing backlash: No factory in my backyardData-Based Insights Into The Customer Experience With Kevin HuntsmanShell ChemicalsFord Motor Company Sponsored by:World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global on March 23-27, 2026.Use the code CHEMSHOW5% at wpc.spglobal.com

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer talks with Karen Tkaczyk, director of Life Sciences Regulated and Enterprise Solutions at MasterWord to share more about her unique combination of industrial and service experience as she helps chemical, energy, and life science companies do business globally with minimal risk. Victoria and Karen discuss the importance of technical expertise in language translation services, talent shortages influenced by the pandemic, the impact of geopolitical events on translation services, and the importance of breaking through language barriers in business relationships.Learn more about the following in this episode:The challenge of languages in Chemical and Material Science industryThe role of translation in global businessesHow the pandemic accelerated AI and TechnologyThe Talent supply chain Local language is critical to the Customer ExperienceTranslation services as a risk mitigation toolTranslation and language services play a crucial role in bridging communication gaps in a globalized world. From helping businesses expand internationally, to ensuring safety compliance and protecting intellectual property, it's a fascinating and ever-evolving field. Join us this week to learn more!Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights. Sponsored by:World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global on March 23-27, 2026.Use the code CHEMSHOW5% at wpc.spglobal.com

Do you treat your B2B customers the same or personalize your engagement and their experience?In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer focuses on segmentation and personalization. B2B companies in the chemical industry often focus on organizational factors when segmenting their market. However, limited use of segmentation can leave both parties feeling unheard. By prioritizing customer relationships and serving them appropriately, companies can address specific needs in a unique and important manner. Victoria highlights the need for businesses to shift towards a more structured and customer-centric approach, using buyer personas to understand their customers' roles, drivers, and interests. Learn more about the following in this episode:The importance of using both Personalization and Segmentation with B2B customersWhy Personalization is critical to creating value in B2B chemicalsFour scenarios in applying segmentation and personalization and their impactSupplier-centricity vs. Customer-centricityDiscussing the challenges companies face in implementing personalization and the impact it can have on improving the customer experience, Victoria provides valuable insights into the importance of segmentation and personalization in creating business value and improving customer relationships. Join us this week as Victoria takes a deep dive into customer segmentation and its impact!Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights. Sponsored by:World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global on March 23-27, 2026.Use the code CHEMSHOW5% at wpc.spglobal.com