Chemical Week

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.

S&P Global market reporters Tara Olaleye, Paulina Wiener and Daniela Morales join Chemical Week’s Rob Westervelt to discuss the impact of recent Federal Reserve interest rate cuts on petrochemical and polymer markets, particularly in housing and construction; the cautious optimism for recovery in 2025; and the current levels of consumer confidence. The panel emphasizes that despite some positive indicators, significant market improvements are unlikely until mid-2025, as high inflation and ongoing economic pressures continue to challenge consumer spending. 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.

S&P Global Commodity Insight’s  Daniel Pelosi, EMEA chemicals editor; Aleksandra Zhagrina, EMEA petrochemicals associate editor; and Chemical Week’s executive editor Ian Young join Chemical Week’s Rob Westervelt for a discussion of the recent European Petrochemical Association annual meeting and the state of Europe’s chemical industry. Topics include the challenges facing the European petrochemicals, the need for industry restructuring and innovation, and the potential impacts of regulatory changes and competition from expanding capacities in China.  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.

Corey Tyree, CEO of Trillium Renewable Chemicals, joins Chemical Week’s Vincent Valk for a discussion of on Trillium’s partnership with INEOS, the production methods behind Trillium’s new bioacrylonitrile, and how start-ups can scale successfully towards commercialization. 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.

Dorothee Arns, director general of European Association of Chemical Distributors (FECC), joins S&P Global Commodity Insights’ senior commodities pricing specialist Abdulaziz Ehtaiba ahead of FECC’s annual congress for a discussion of the stat of European distribution. Topics include how disruptive geopolitical events exacerbated the industry’s weak demand and poor production margins, how distributors are focusing on improving their supply chain excellence to navigate these challenges, and how distributors can adapt to Europe’s increasing regulatory demands and consumer expectations for sustainable 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.

Vincent Valk, a senior editor at Chemical Week, shares insights on the 2023 Billion-Dollar Club rankings. He discusses the significant drop in revenues and operating incomes faced by the industry. Valk highlights China's growing dominance, particularly with firms like Sinopec reshaping the market landscape. The conversation also touches on the impact of mergers and acquisitions, the decline of former leaders like DuPont, and the complex interplay between capital expenditures and sustainability efforts in the chemical sector.

Rob Westervelt, a contributor from Chemical Week, joins experts Neirin Gray Desai and Mujidah Yahaya from S&P Global Commodity Insights to decode the chemical industry's climate. They discuss the troubling decline in demand, especially in Europe, and its effects on construction and chemical sectors. With rising costs and strategic plant shutdowns, the duo highlights the cautious investment climate. They also tackle the sluggish lithium market and the investment shifts towards hydrogen technology amid uncertain economic conditions.

Louis Besland, partner and head of chemicals practice at executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles, joins Chemical Week’s Rob Westervelt for a discussion of CEO succession and talent management in the industry. Topics include building a diverse talent pipeline, the evolution of skill sets needed for effective leaders, and the need for future-oriented thinking around CEO succession.