Chemical Week

In the first episode of an occasional series on recycling and sustainability, S&P Global Commodity Insights global sustainable editor lead Heng Hui and European chemicals analyst Iris Poon join host Abdulaziz Ehtaiba to discuss the outlook for recycled polymer markets, with a particular focus on geographic differences, regulation, and price dynamics. If you enjoyed this episode, we think you'll get a lot out of the 2024 World Petrochemical Conference. Register here: https://bit.ly/WPC2024pod  

Chemical industry experts discuss oversupply challenges, China's polymer capacity, and high interest rates. Insights on economic forecasts, energy transition, and shifting to renewable energy post-COP 28.

Karim Engelmark-Cassimjee, CEO and co-founder of green chemistry start-up EnginZyme, joins the podcast to discuss the promise and pitfalls of biomanufacturing processes, and the company’s advances in biobased catalysts and vaccine ingredients.

Sameer Bharadwaj, CEO of Orbia, joind S&P Global Commodity Insights' polymers lead Kristen Hays to discuss Orbia's transition to a global player focused on sustainability, as well as the longer-term outlook for PVC markets.

With growing demand for recycled plastics and investment in recycling ramping up, what does the future hold for plastics circularity? Bertan Enhos, exeuctive director/chemical consulting at S&P Global Commodity Insights and lead author of a recent report on plastics circularity, joins the podcast to discuss the state of plastic recycling, the promise of chemical recycling technology, and hurdles to developing a circular plastics supply chain. To learn more about S&P Global's Chemical Strategic Reports, including the report on plastics recycling, click or tap here.

Chemical Week editor-in-chief Rob Westervelt and senior editor Vincent Valk discuss third quarter results and what they imply for the industry's outlook. Topics include whether destocking could be coming to an end, if demand is bottoming out, the operating environment in Europe and recovery in China.

Carmen Song, principal consultant at S&P Global Commodity Insights and lead author of a new report on the state of the chemicals sector in China, joins the podcast to discuss shifting currents in the Chinese industry. Topics include a capacity build-out amid oversupply, the impact of decoupling and trade restrictions, and China's energy transition. To learn more about S&P Global's Chemical Strategic Reports, including the report on China, click here.

Abdulaziz Ehtaiba, senior editor/EMEA chemicals with S&P Global Commodity Insights hosts a discussion with Sarah Trinder, managing editor/aromatics EMEA at S&P Global Commodity Insights and Chemical Week executive editor Ian Young on the key takeaways from last month's European Petrochemicals Association (EPCA) meeting. Topics include the dismal outlook for European petrochemicals, Europe's unique regulatory burdens, and how producers will meet the challenges of the energy transition. At the start of the episode, Chemical Week senior editor Vincent Valk gives an overview of some exciting changes coming to the Chemical Week Podcast!

With the annual meeting of the European Petrochemical Association approaching from Sept. 25-28, Chemical Week editors Ian Young and Mark Thomas join the podcast to discuss the massive challenges facing the European industry, including high energy prices, regulatory burdens, and weak economic growth. The Chemical Week podcast is the industry’s premier platform for wide-ranging discussion of issues impacting the global chemicals sector, hosted by veteran industry journalist Vincent Valk and the editors of Chemical Week. Subscribe to the Chemical Week podcast on your favorite platform, or visit chemweek.com/podcast to view our episode archive.

The chlor-alkali industry has seen an unusual number of lawsuits and contractual disputes in recent years, some of which have had a notable impact on market conditions. Kristen Hays, global market lead/polymers at S&P Global Commodity Insights, joins the podcast to help untangle the different legal actions and their implications.