Chemical Week

Rob Westervelt, Mark Thomas and Clay Boswell join the podcast to discuss key takeaways from this year’s World Petrochemical Conference. Key themes include ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, including tariffs, the evolution of energy transition, European capacity rationalization, the long-term outlook for feedstocks. This episode was recorded on March 24, and references some recent events.

S&P Global Platts price reporters Mujidah Yahaya and Andre Mikhail join host Vincent Valk to discuss the impact and implications of the Trump administration's drastic new tariffs on the petrochemicals sector. Topics include the impact of rolling uncertainty on markets, the potential for major shifts in trade flows, and how tariffs could further weaken an already-soft demand environment.

Join Dow CEO Jim Fitterling, an expert in market outlook and sustainability, and Mark Eramo, co-president of S&P Global, as they uncover the current state of the chemical industry. They discuss the impact of geopolitical tensions on market dynamics and the importance of the energy transition. The duo emphasizes the necessity of adopting a circular economy to address plastic waste while navigating the challenges of decarbonization. They also explore how AI and digital technologies can revolutionize operational efficiencies in the sector.

Clay Boswell, Chemical Week’s Americas markets lead, and Mark Thomas, Chemical Week’s European markets lead, join the magazine’s editor-in-chief Rob Westervelt for a discussion on the state of the petrochemical industry ahead of the World Petrochemical Conference hosted by S&P Global Commodity Insights and held in Houston from March 17-21. Topics in this podcast include the significant downturn in global operating rates, geopolitical tensions due to US tariffs, and the need for capacity rationalization, particularly in Europe, as well as the long-term outlook for the sector, including anticipated capacity additions in China and the Middle East, and the implications of evolving trade policies and the push for sustainability in the industry.  The Chemical Week podcast is the industry’s premier platform for wide-ranging discussion of issues impacting the global chemicals sector, hosted by the editors of Chemical Week and S&P Global Commodity Insights. Subscribe to the Chemical Week podcast on your favorite platform, or visit chemweek.com/podcast to view our episode archive.

Eric Appelman, Aduro Clean Technologies’ chief revenue officer, joins S&P Global senior price reporter Daniel Pelosi and S&P Global chemicals market reporter Tareen Kazi for a discussion on circular recycling. Topics include advanced recycling challenges faced by region, how to improve economic scalability of advanced recycling, and the importance of creating incentives and a market for circular products. The Chemical Week podcast is the industry’s premier platform for wide-ranging discussion of issues impacting the global chemicals sector, hosted by the editors of Chemical Week and S&P Global Commodity Insights. Subscribe to the Chemical Week podcast on your favorite platform, or visit chemweek.com/podcast to view our episode archive. Learn more about Aduro Clean Technologies here.

Mark Thomas, the Chemical Week markets editor with expertise in the petrochemical sector, discusses the pivotal role of petrochemicals in the energy transition. He highlights the dual nature of petrochemicals as both a driver for crude oil demand and a catalyst for sustainability. The conversation touches on investments in advanced recycling, the adaptation of companies like Aramco and ExxonMobil to new energy dynamics, and the essential push for circularity. Challenges remain in meeting carbon reduction goals while navigating an uncertain low-carbon future.

Valentijn De Neve, CEO of BlueAlp, a company specializing in pyrolysis and chemical recycling technology, joins the podcast with S&P Global Commodity Insights editors Daniel Pelosi and Dias Kazym for a discussion on the European chemical recycling landscape in 2025. Topics include technology advancements, advanced recycling competitiveness against virgin polymers and what is needed among stakeholders to drive the chemical recycling market forward.  

The discussion covers Europe's chemical sector grappling with high energy costs and low demand, amid a backdrop of geopolitical issues. It highlights the push for sustainability and innovation, yet stresses the challenges of overcapacity. Meanwhile, China's chemical industry is seeing a boost from government stimulus, spurring demand in petrochemicals, but faces trade tensions with the US. The country also aims for net-zero emissions by 2060, grappling with the transition to renewable products and enhancing plastic recycling efforts.

Woldemar D'Ambrieres, Global Market Manager for Batteries at Arkema, shares insights on the future of battery technology. He discusses Arkema's innovative solutions for electric vehicle batteries and the importance of advancements like carbon nanotubes. The conversation highlights strategic investments in startups ProAonic and Tiamat, focusing on semi-solid and sodium-ion batteries. D'Ambrieres emphasizes the need for collaboration and research to tackle challenges in a rapidly evolving market, ensuring Arkema's growth amid rising energy demands.

Jiryes Haddadin, S&P Global pricing specialist EMEA chemical and polymers, and Mark Thomas, Chemical Week’s markets editor, join with Abdulaziz Ehtaiba, S&P Global petrochemicals pricing manager, for a discussion ahead of the 18th annual Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association Forum in Muscat, Oman. Topics centered around the challenges facing the Middle Eastern petrochemical market, which include increased competition from Asian producers, slowing global demand and continued inflationary pressures. The Chemical Week podcast is the industry’s premier platform for wide-ranging discussion of issues impacting the global chemicals sector, hosted by the editors of Chemical Week and S&P Global Commodity Insights. Subscribe to the Chemical Week podcast on your favorite platform, or visit chemweek.com/podcast to view our episode archive.