ICIS - chemical podcasts

Europe’s chemical industry will become increasingly exposed to competition from China, the Middle East and the rest of Asia if more shippers return to the Suez Canal. Maersk, Hapag-LLoyd reopen one Gemini service through the Suez Canal China becomes increasingly self-sufficiency in chemicals Switches from net importer to exporter for some important products Growth of chemicals post-2030 could be f...

LONDON (ICIS)-- Butadiene (BD) prices have tumbled globally from highs after a volatile second quarter, as markets continue to adjust to the fallout from the US-Iran conflict In this episode, ICIS Europe BD editor Melissa Hurley discusses the latest market developments and outlook with Ai Teng Lim (Asia), Elaine Zhang (China), and senior BD analysts Gawaine Preston (Europe) and Ann Sun (Asia). CFR...

Running a chemical distribution company in a conflict zone such as Lebanon requires determination and agility to keep the business running while ensuring the safety of employees.  -          High levels of stress but a resolve to adapt to conflict conditions  -          Very difficult operating environment with displaced population -          Maintaining stock levels is a key challenge -         ...

LONDON (ICIS)--A turbulent Q2 saw the phenol and acetone value chain rocked by geopolitical disruption, cost inflation and shifting supply-demand dynamics, with prices surging before easing as markets rebalanced. In this Q2 episode of the Acetone and Derivatives podcast, ICIS experts unpack the key drivers across phenol, acetone, BPA, epoxy and polycarbonate, and explore a cautious, uncertain outl...

From March to May, China has exported record amounts of chemicals despite falling production as companies work through huge inventories built up over the past few years. China chemicals production has fallen, but exports are soaring Inventory levels in China are much higher than people suspected Higher prices mean that this is now being exported China operators still run despite poor economics, do...

LONDON (ICIS)--Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets continue to digest geopolitical developments regarding shifting dynamics in the Persian Gulf and the price correction lower across many feedstock markets of late. Uncertainty remains high but bearish price sentiment has been growing as availability concerns fade and demand expectations into the summer months remain relatively subdued. End...

Rising imports from China were a central theme highlighted by multiple market players on the side-lines of the annual EUROPUR and EURO-MOULDERS conference, held in Antwerp, Belgium, on 10–11 June 2026. In this episode, European markets editor Zubair Adam for polyols who had attended the event, discusses with Isaac Tan his Asian counterpart, key developments on the China to Europe trade lane.

As the global chemical industry moves towards a more regional business model, Velogy – the new company carved out of former LyondellBasell assets – will be able to serve European customers from within Europe. Customers increasingly want to take “Europe for Europe” approach to ensure security of supply Chemical industry is moving from global to regional structure, and this will help Velogy in an ov...

BARCELONA (ICIS)--European chemical distributors are flexing their business models to ensure that supply chains still operate effectively despite the Middle East war. Chemical supply chains are becoming more flexible Supply reliability and diversification are now key competitive advantages To thrive distributors need to diversify supply chains, adopt a more ‘local for local’ approach Distributors...

Recycling editor Sam Lovatt speaks to Nextek CEO Ed Kosior about the company's new European food grade recycled polyolefin technology, the recycling market in general, 2030 deadlines and everything in between.

A potential surge in oil prices to $140–150/barrel could trigger demand destruction, volatility and disruption across global chemical markets. -          Further delays to reopening of Strait of Hormuz could see oil prices rise to $140–150/bbl -          Higher oil would drive panic buying then sharp demand destruction as downstream customers cannot absorb costs  -          Markets are already “ex...

FUKUOKA, Japan (ICIS)--In this podcast, ICIS editors Josh Quah, Joy Foo, Ai Teng Lim and Jonathan Chou discuss the ongoing developments in Asia olefins and vinyls on the sidelines of Asia Petrochemicals Industry Conference (APIC) 2026 conference.  The editors cover trends in ethylene, propylene, butadiene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as well as shifting trade flows across the region.   With Chine...

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asian methyl methacrylate (MMA) markets continue to feel the impact of supply shocks seen in early March, with no near-term resolution in the Middle East conflict. Producers continue to grapple with costs from high-priced inventories built up during earlier panic buying, while struggling to pass these on to downstream buyers. This comes as easing feedstock conditions exert downwa...

In this podcast, Hwee Hwee Tan, Ann Sun and Jady Ma will talk about the volatility of Asia acetic acid market and key drivers. They also explored the cost difference and fundamental divergence between China and the rest of Asia.

Years of tough market conditions in the global chemical sector are changing recruitment practices with companies now taking fewer new hires and with a much clearer view of return on investment.  -          Recruitment practices have sharpened as market conditions have become tougher  -          Less roles on the market, but now greater clarity on return on investment (ROI) -          Better for co...

Europe’s oxo‑alcohols and derivatives supply is assessed as ranging from balanced to tight in May. Upstream volatility, ongoing Middle East tensions and cautious market sentiment continue to shape market dynamics. Spot price trends across the oxo‑alcohols chain are assessed as stable to softer in May compared with April, as weaker buying interest and cautious purchasing behaviour offset the impact...

PRSE 2026 highlighted a fragile but cautiously optimistic recycling market, shaped by Middle East disruptions, weak demand, and regulatory uncertainty. Across mechanical, chemical and emerging sectors, investment and long-term targets persist, but near-term capacity, demand visibility, and policy clarity remain key challenges. Join ICIS recycling editors and analysts as they recap their conversati...

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is having a severe and unprecedented effect on fertilizer supply because so much production is concentrated in the Middle East.   -          If war drags on, danger of two-tier food economy developing with lower tier suffering shortages -          Poorer countries may be priced out of the fertilizer market -          Food impact will be seen later this year and...

The Iran war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered the worst crisis in the Middle East since the 1979 oil crisis, according to regional chemical producer and distributor Servochem.  -          Dubai’s Jebel Ali port is within the Strait of Hormuz and is unable to export -          Other ports in Oman and Saudi Arabia cannot handle large volumes, or very hazardous products -          Ea...

As the war in the Middle East pushed up energy costs in Europe, politicians in Brussels have sprung into action on moves to improve chemical industry competitiveness. Iran war pushed EU to accelerate moves on cutting energy costs Now up to member states to implement cost cutting measures Positive moves on Emissions Trading System (ETS) Fast-tracking for anti-dumping duties (ADDs) is welcome Brusse...

Join the ICIS European Recycling Team as they discuss the key topics and takeaways they hope to get from this year's Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRSE) taking place in Amsterdam on 5-6 May.  You can meet the Europe Recycling Team at the ICIS Booth in Hall 5, Stand F110, where you can scan a QR code to get access to the latest ICIS data on the recycling markets and learn more about ICIS' sustain...

SINGAPORE (ICIS)-- China’s polyethylene (PE) producers are increasingly exploring Southeast Asia (SEA) as an export destination as domestic market fundamentals shift and pressure builds at home. China has traditionally not been a net exporter of PE, but weakening domestic demand and limited ability to clear material domestically are prompting producers to look overseas, with SEA increasingly viewe...

SHANGHAI (ICIS)--Since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late February, attention has increasingly focused on its impact on energy and petrochemical markets. A steep rise in crude oil and naphtha prices has driven a rapid increase in prices across aromatics and their derivatives. According to ICIS data, as of 22 April, prices of downstream polymer products derived from aromatics in China...

With the Iran war now in its eighth week, we can expect more serious consequences for chemicals from rising inflation, demand destruction and a prolonged post-war recovery period.  -          43 force majeures in Middle East and Asia, Europe prices hitting record highs -          Sanctioned Russian and Iranian crude oil stored on ships is nearly depleted, exposing markets to greater shortages  - ...

LONDON (ICIS)--Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have seen prices spike in the wake of the US-Iran war, although they have started to stablize through the month of April. With a challenging two months since the start of the US-Iran war pushing prices up dramatically and tightening the global supply chain, the European markets have been hit hard. However, there are some signs that prices...