Chemical Week

S&P Global Commodity Insights price reporters Esther Ng and Kamna Kapoor join the podcast to discuss the impact of sanctions on the Asian methanol market. They explore the resulting shifts in trade flows, pricing dynamics, and the challenges faced by importers as they navigate the transition from Iranian to non-Iranian methanol sources amid fluctuating demand and inventory levels. They also focus on major adjustments due to the sanctions in the Indian market, as well as the impact in China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

Longtime Chemical Week editor Rob Westervelt joins podcast host Vincent Valk for a discussion of the chemical industry's competitive landscape after this week's publication of Chemical Week's annual Billion-Dollar Club ranking. Key topics include the implications of the rise of China, why the industry's leaderboard has been static in recent years, and whether equity markets have an appetite for diversified chemical manufacturers. 

Torsten Heinemann, head of group innovation and sustainability at Covestro and member of the Global Impact Coalition's executive committee, joins the podcast to discuss the challenges inherent in using recycled material as a feedstock for specialty plastics. Key topics include why it's so difficult drop new raw materials into a process, bottlenecks to expanding recycling, Covestro's efforts to develop and scale technologies in this area, and the importance of cross-industry collaboration.

Chemical Week's Ian Young and Vincent Valk join S&P Global Platts' Daniel Pelosi and host Jameson Croteau for a discussion of Q2 earnings season. Key topics include tariff impacts, the capacity overhang in petchems, what companies are saying about the outlook, and variations in end-market demand.

Chris Jahn, CEO and president of the American Chemistry Council, dives into pressing concerns for the U.S. chemicals sector. He highlights the significance of stable industrial policies post-Trump's tariffs and discusses regulatory complexities impacting long-term investments. Jahn emphasizes the vital role of the chemical industry in reviving U.S. manufacturing, navigating recent budget bill implications for growth, and balancing optimism with challenges in trade policy. His insights reflect a mix of caution and hope for the industry's future.

Christopher vom Berg, executive manager of the Renewable Carbon Initiative, dives into the urgent need for Europe's chemical industry to transition from fossil-based to renewable carbon. He discusses how this shift can enhance competitiveness amid regulatory pressures. The conversation highlights innovative strategies for defossilization, balancing regulations with incentives, and the importance of creating stable markets for non-fossil carbon products. Insights from the solar sector reveal valuable lessons for driving sustainable practices in chemicals.

Andy Orszynski, Director of Ethylene and Derivatives at S&P Global, and Yazmine Khan, Director for Aromatics at S&P Global, delve into the future of Europe's chemical industry. They discuss the impact of recent geopolitical tensions and low demand on market competitiveness, especially after the Munich luncheon. Key insights include LyondellBasell’s significant divestments and the mixed industry reactions them. The conversation offers a nuanced view on whether there’s any reason for optimism amidst capacity reductions and high energy costs.

S&P Global Commodity Insights experts Adam Bland and Kevin Micoine join Chemical Week specialties editor Sotirios Frantzanas and host Vincent Valk to discuss the role of specialty chemicals in industrial policy. Key topics include how sustainability and decarbonization goals intersect with specialty chemicals, how the industry can grow to supply critical sectors like semiconductors, and the impact of trade tensions the complex supply chains for specialties.

Joe Dettinger, vice president/manufacturing and commercial programs at specialties trade group Socma, joins the podcast to dicuss the impacts of trade tensions and uncertainty on specialty chemical producers. Key topics include how companies are contending with supply chain issues, the impact of uncertainty on demand, and whether the recent softening of tensions has meaningfully improved the outlook.

Ian Young, Vincent Valk and Daniel Pelosi join host Jameson Croteau to discuss key takeaways from first-quarter earnings season for chemicals. The impact of tariffs is a major theme, with producers flagging significant uncertainty despite relatively few changes to official outlooks. This episode was recorded on May 7, before the US and China struck a temporary deal to reduce tariff rates.