In this episode, we dive into Liquified Petroleum Gas trading. What is LPG used for, where is it produced and how has the market developed since the advent of shale? How is trading LPG different from other commodities  and what does it herald for other fuels? What is its role in the energy transition and what is its future? Our guest is Jack Nugent. Jack brings a unique perspective. From his early days in LPG broking, to living and working in both Europe and Asia as a LPG trader, he later co-founded his own successful LPG trading company. Jack is the CEO and Founder of Tradavex, a consultancy that helps organizations bridge the interface between technology and business.Relevant Linkswww.encoinsights.comwww.hcgroup.globalwww.tradavex.com

Today we return to the fuels industry. What is the latest in global fuel supply and demand? What is the impact of ongoing electrification on fuel demand? Have we seen peak gasoline demand even in the US? And how is AI and technology changing fuels trading and the convenience industry that attaches to it? Returning to the show is Doug Haugh. Doug has over twenty five year’s experience working in the energy, technology and convenience retail industries. He serves on the board of Bioblend Renewable Resources, Trux  and Ergon and Board Chairman at New Tide AIFor more on HC Group visit www.hcgroup.globalFor Enco Insights visit www.encoinsights.com 

Walter Cronin, co-founder and president of White River Nutrition, dives into the bustling world of commodity markets. He discusses how 2024 brought wild price swings in seed oils and biofuels driven by changing yields and demand. Walter reveals why the U.S. has become the largest importer of used cooking oil. He explores the implications of new biofuels policies and the potential shifts in global meat demand. With insights on soybean processing and nutrition, he delves into the future of sustainable fuels and protein production.

Another global commodity, present in our daily lives, without an established price index or futures contract, with a unique supply chain: Tea. How does Tea reach our tables? Where does tea come from? How does it trade? And how is the tea market navigating climate change, ever lower prices and changes in demand? Indeed, which nations drink the most tea? Our guest is Jem McDowell, Vice-President of Trading  and Universal Commodities (Tea) Trading Inc. Jem is based in the US but has had a global career in trading tea.

For producers, refiners, processors & miners building a risk management and trading capability is moving from a value-add to a ‘must have’. However, building such a capability is a challenge, requiring a clear plan to win, constant communication and the right operation model and systems. Over the last 5 years some transformations have succeeded, others remain stalled. What are the key accelerators and derailers in such a process? What are the people implications – both the required leadership and the skill-sets needed. Our guest is Talis Bennett-Verschure, Director of Commodity and Energy Trading at the management consultancy Baringa, who has been at the forefront of helping organizations build this vital capability.www.encoinsights.comwww.hcgroup.global 

Ten percent of the global tanker fleet has gone dark and the number is growing. What is the Dark Fleet? Why does it exist and why is it growing? Who is using the fleet and who owns it? What are the risks for the market, the environment and traders? And what does a shadow fleet mean for world security and criminal enterprises? Our guest is David Tannenbaum, Director at Blackstone Compliance  Services, a sanctions and anti -money laundering advisory group, providing support to financial institutions and commodity trades alike and a Partner at Polestar Global, a sanctions and maritime intelligence firm where he runs the threat intelligence group.https://www.blackstonecompliance.com/www.encoinsights.comwww.hcgroup.global 

The host reflects on the journey of the podcast through 2024, sharing gratitude with listeners and colleagues. Key themes include the impact of sanctions, compliance, and technology on commodity trading. Exciting organizational successes, like the launch of a new Talent Intelligence platform, are celebrated. Looking ahead, the focus shifts to growth and community engagement in 2025, with plans for more episodes and industry events on the horizon.

A still timely discussion as the Federal Reserve comes under pressure to decrease rates... How low interest rates since the financial crisis have caused inequality, populism and inflation. Christmas re-release of one of host Paul Chapman's favorite discussions. Award-winning, financial journalist and historian Edward Chancellor join us to discuss interest rates and the impact on the commodities sector. Interest rates – the price of money and time – have been unnaturally low since the global financial crisis. This has led to a profound impact on finance and society. Global corporates found financial engineering more “profitable” than focusing on products and operations. Assets inflated and inequality widened. In the commodities world, the cost of carry and cost of finance, was essentially zero. Energy tech plays were awash in money and valuations sky high. Rates are now rising and those same engineered corporates are becoming zombies. China risks economic Armageddon as the global carry trade ends. Assets prices are falling and financially stressed commodity traders, now face higher rates. Edward argues higher rates will return the world to profitable growth and risk allocation unless political will to reverse rates wins…

The skillsets required to be in a commodity trading team have always been evolving. However, that evolution is accelerating in the wake of new technologies and especially AI. In this episode we trace the changing roles and skills traders have needed over the last century and what the future holds as AI becomes ever more involved in the day to day activities of a trading desk. What are the skillsets of the past and their future? Are they fundamentally different? How is AI already affecting teams?  And how will AI shape the teams, careers and opportunities within the sector?  Our guest is Daf Davies, long time commodity trader, and founder and CEO of Deus AI – a consulting firm focused on preparing companies for the commodity trading future.

Will nuclear fusion change the world and if so how far away is it? What is fusion power? What are the technological, regulatory and financial developments that are accelerating our path to it? What has changed that has meant private companies are now racing to develop it alongside governments? And what will it mean for fusion power to be deployed at scale. Our guest is Jay Brister, an independent investor and consultant with over 40 years experience in the nuclear sector who has focused on fusion over the last five years