ICIS - chemical podcasts

The overall winner of this year’s ICIS Innovation Awards - BASF, Linde and SABIC’s electrically-heated steam cracker furnace - could have a massive impact on overall chemical industry emissions if the technology is widely adopted.  -          World’s first electrically-heated steam cracker at demonstration stage -          Cuts CO2 emissions by up to 95% compared with natural gas-fired crackers - ...

Markets Editor Stephanie Wix is joined by Senior Editor Manager Vicky Ellis, markets reporter Meeta Ramnani, and Senior Analyst Jincy Varghese, as they discuss the key trends from the 29th Fakuma plastics processing trade fair in Friedrichshafen, Germany, in this latest ICIS podcast. They explore discussion topics heard at the event last week, from the highest concerns to the lowest expectations....

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – The short-term demand outlook for recycled polymers from Asia remains sluggish especially for low-value grades, due to multiple factors - mainly poor economics and brand users’ preference of cheaper virgin plastics. Upcoming regulation in deep-sea fails to support Asia r-PET exports Asia r-PE, r-PP remain traded mostly in domestic markets Investments into recycling continue acro...

Join Global Analyst Team Lead for Recycling Helen McGeough as she looks ahead to the 3rd ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference on 7 November in Berlin and tells Matt Tudball what she's looking forward to seeing from the diverse group of topics and presenters, including:  Waste collection challenges and developments   ICIS study on penetration rates of recycling in the wider virgin polymer market Chemi...

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--With 2025 contract discussions for Asia ethylene underway at the olefins trade conference in Xiamen, China, ICIS markets editor Josh Quah outlines what’s at the top of the list of concerns for players as they look ahead to the coming year. Players may take steps to hedge against unpredictability of deep-sea cargoes China’s new capacity takes shape, but lengthy domestic supply may...

Chemicals sector executives are increasingly facing up to the idea that the sector is going through a process of reinvention, with no big recovery on the horizon and a return to pre-crisis normalcy less likely. Executives are now looking at what the next steps for the sector will be. In this Think Tank podcast, Tom Brown interviews Paul Hodges , chairman of New Normal Consulting, Katherine Sale,  ...

According to attendees at the annual European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) conference in Berlin held during 7-10 October, consumption in 2025 is not expected to recover for mixed xylenes (MX), paraxylene (PX) and orthoxylene (OX), with various hurdles highlighted.  In this episode, market editors Zubair Adam (MX) and Miguel Rodriguez Fernandez (PX, OX) along with Rob Peacock, ICIS lead analyst...

Ahead of the 3rd ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference in Berlin on 7 November, Senior Analyst for Recycling Egor Dementev discusses the challenges and opportunities for both mechanical and chemical recycling with Annick Meerschman, Innovation Director at CEFIC . PLUS... 20 CEFIC members are entitled to receive 50% off their registration to the ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference by using code: ICISCEFI...

Markets editor Stephanie Wix and reporter Meeta Ramnani join senior editor manager Vicky Ellis to pick out key themes ahead of the 29th plastics processing trade fair Fakuma in Germany, in this latest ICIS podcast. They discuss the clash of pessimism and optimism for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), the changing European landscape for polycarbonate (PC) given ADNOC's recent offer for Covestr...

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The base oils market in UAE is likely to see an uptick in demand in Q4, with the impact of escalating tensions in the region on crude prices and Group I supply from Iran closely monitored in the weeks ahead.  Impact of regional conflict on spot Group I supply from Iran to emerge Group II export offers from the US awaited, to offer clearer near-term market direction Persistent cru...

ADNOC’s agreement to buy Covestro ahead of next week’s European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) annual meeting highlights the challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s beleaguered chemical industry.  -          Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) to acquire Covestro for equity value of €11.7 billion -          ADNOC diversifies downstream from oil and gas -          Covestro global leader in pol...

Ahead of the approaching European Petrochemical Conference (EPCA) in Berlin 7-10 October, ICIS editors discuss market conditions in a variety of solvent markets. -          Market updates on methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), isopropanol (IPA), phenol, acetone, toluene, mixed xylenes, glycol ethers and propylene glycol ethers, butyl acetate and ethyl acetate. -          Trad...

Ahead of the approaching European Petrochemical Conference (EPCA) in Berlin 7-10 October, ICIS editors discuss market conditions in the olefine and derivative chain. -          Market updates on propylene, ethylene, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), monoethylene glycol (EG), ethylene oxide (EO), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile, monopropylene glycol (MPG) and oxo-alcohols -          Tr...

LONDON (ICIS)--Players down the oxo-alcohols value chain are preparing for EPCA where discussions are set to take place against a backdrop of low visibility, economic concern and persistently subdued demand.  ·       Post-summer demand disappointing across the board ·       General availability sufficient although individual producers face some supply constraints  ·       Players’ expectations for...

With some economists now forecasting a recession in China, chemicals executives should analyze the possible impact on their businesses.  -          China’s economy at a turning point, possibility of recession in 2025 -          New government stimulus measures announced today -          Lack of domestic demand makes China reliant on export-driven growth -          Other markets increasingly resist...

Volatile gas prices illustrate a finely balanced market Tight ammonia availability; some scheduled maintenances expected Unexpected gas related shutdowns in Egypt short-lived; India urea tenders boost sentiment Certain factors support global urea market despite thin demand in Europe  Demand in China showing signs of recovery before National Day holiday (1-7 October) China's average melamine operat...

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asia's fatty alcohol mid-cuts prices may be near the ceiling as demand from Europe is expected to wane after October, given the looming EUDR or EU Deforestation Regulation which starts on 30 December 2024. Meanwhile, east Asian and south Asian linear alkylbenzene (LAB) markets remained in the doldrums despite expectations of an improvement in September. The weak performance of...

September’s hoped-for post-summer revival has been a blowout for Europe’s polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) markets, and this upturning of what used to be a surefire seasonal trend is typical of 2024. In this latest podcast, European PE and PP editors Vicky Ellis and Ben Lake take stock of the year so far and are joined by ICIS senior polymer analysts Lorenzo Meazza and Umberto Torresan to...

Petrochemical markets are likely to remain depressed while China and other countries continue to add significant capacity, unless big wave of closures and demand improvement help to achieve balance.   -          Global capacity additions far outstrip demand growth -          China, Middle East, US likely to continue expansions -          China drove the petrochemical supercycle, but no longer -   ...

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--ICIS has revised down its forecast for China’s combined imports of propane and butane for 2024 because of weaker-than-expected demand in fuel applications. Full-year LPG imports projected at 36.7 million tonnes  Fuel LPG demand falls on increased natural gas usage amid weak economy  Strong feedstock LPG demand partly offset decline in fuel consumption

Europe’s beleaguered petrochemical industry could see its fortunes improve dramatically if Mario Draghi’s new industrial policy proposals are adopted, along with a fair regulatory framework.   -          New industrial strategy can rescue region from structurally higher costs, low levels of investment -          Historic moment with momentum building for new approach to Europe industry transformat...

In this podcast, Senior Editor Emily Friedman, and Analyst, Josh Dill, dive deeper into the challenges US chemical recyclers face.

New analysis suggests the chemical industry may face a more rapidly aging and shrinking population in key markets such as China, while the subsequent drag on demand means new business models will be required.  -          China-driven petrochemicals Supercycle is over -          China’s population may be aging and shrinking more quickly than previously thought -          China may switch to become...

The Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have faced a sluggish summer despite ongoing supply challenges. Editors Mathew Jolin-Beech, Nicole Simpson, Cameron Birch and Marion Boakye discuss how August has been for the oxo alcohol, acrylate ester, butac and glycol ether markets.

Senior editors Vicky Ellis, Ben Lake and Samantha Wright look at what else made August unusual, and look ahead to September in this latest podcast on Europe, Africa and Turkey markets.