ICIS - chemical podcasts

Industry leaders should concentrate on cash, security of raw materials and trends which will drive chemicals demand as tough conditions continue in Europe. - Preserve cash, keeping debt under control in this tough environment - Focus on securing feedstocks amid upstream closures - Identify consumer trends, future customer needs - Tentative signs of improvement for Europe’s economy - Expect more cl...

The former Brenntag CEO believes the chemical industry can overcome current challenges once it takes some more bold steps.  -          Industry emerged stronger from previous crises and can do so again -          Nascent recovery stifled by tariff war -          Overcapacity is hurting industry everywhere -          Europe closures mean distributors may adjust sourcing -          Distribution indu...

European phthalic anhydride (PA) reporter Gabrielle Jordan and plasticizers reporter Marion Boakye discuss current market conditions ahead of the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) annual meeting, taking place 22–25 September in Berlin, Germany. Both markets are set to remain under pressure through 2025, with sellers facing headwinds from competitive import flows, ample domestic supply, and...

In an increasingly unstable world, chemicals executives need to be aware of the important issues which are likely to steer the global economy, and markets, for the rest of 2025. President Trump’s tariff trade war Russia’s war with Ukraine China’s property bubble Potential for another Asian financial crisis Crude oil market convulsions In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Paul H...

The phosphates market has seen some activity recently, with China resuming phosphates exports and import demand from Ethiopia and Bangladesh. However, affordability remains an issue for the market, especially in India. Meanwhile, ammonia availability continues to remain tight globally with planned and unplanned shutdowns. Senior editors Chris Vlachopoulos and Sylvia Traganida discuss the latest de...

Join Emily Friedman , ICIS US recycled plastics senior editor in Episode 5 of Sustainably Speaking alongside Arianne Perez , Asia recycled plastic senior editor, and Joshua Dill , Americas recycled plastic analyst, as they discuss the implications of weak domestic recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET) markets between the US and Asia. Even as local feedstock markets tumble, both regions are s...

LONDON (ICIS)--Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have seen lower level of activity in August with supply widely ample across derivative markets and demand subdued. Into September and for the remainder of the year, substantive changes to underlying demand are not widely expected and so the principle focus is still on supply changes and the impact of planned maintenances. Glycol ethers edi...

Chemical companies may see drastic AI-driven changes in sales, marketing, supply chain and product development but it will always augment, not replace humans.  -          Companies need to work out their pain points and ambition -          Quantifying AI’s business value is a key challenge -          Companies often run siloed projects without a unified strategy -          Clean, trusted data is e...

LONDON (ICIS)--A mix of regulatory changes, market fundamentals and global economic factors is transforming the Asian biodiesel and glycerine markets. In this latest podcast, Asia biodiesel editor Evangeline Cheung and glycerine senior editor Helen Yan joins their Europe counterpart Nazif Nazmul to share the latest developments and expectations for what lies ahead. Firm palm oil fundamentals and r...

·       Global trade increasingly driven by politics ·       Years of low inflation have distorted markets by allowing unprofitable companies to stay in business ·       Global trade terms clearer but the impacts to supply chains still unfolding ·       Demographic shifts continue to rise up policymaker agendas ·       Trade relationships and the path of AI development are key factors for the sect...

European methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) reporter; Gabrielle Jordan and methanol senior editor; Eashani Chavda discusses the supply and demand dynamics of each market as both face atypical, subdued demand in Q3, due to a subpar summer driving season. Topics discussed include: Supply and demand dynamics Increasing import reliance Potential US tariffs and their effects Podcast by Gabrielle Jordan...

As a completely new chemical industry landscape unfolds before us, leaders should harness AI, innovation and consolidation opportunities in high cost regions.  Industry faces structural—not cyclical—challenges Overcapacity and competition squeeze Europe Demand decouples from GDP, shrinking market size AI can boost efficiency and forecasting accuracy. Specialties and low-carbon products need carefu...

In this podcast, join the ICIS global base oils team as they discuss the key drivers impacting the market in H2. Weaker crude complex to weigh on costs Group II supply poised for length Demand weakness persists

Rising overcapacity, AI and protectionism may drive a swift transition in chemical production and markets in the next 5-10 years. -          Commodity chemicals may be produced mainly by large state-owned enterprises -          Smaller, privately-owned companies may switch to high value composites, specialties, low-carbon chemicals -          High-cost regions such as Europe could protect their es...

Join John Richardson , ICIS senior executive, business solutions group, in Episode 4 of Sustainably Speaking along with Mark Victory and Matt Tudball , senior editors for recycling Europe, and Helen McGeough , global analyst team lead for plastic recycling as they discuss the European Commission's proposals to allow mass balance for chemical recycling using a fuel-exempt accounting approach under...

From four-year lows for European polypropylene (PP) prices, Dow announcing the closure of its Bohlen cracker, ping-ponging crude oil prices, a key US and EU tariff deal, and some fresh anti-dumping duties in India – June and July have been action packed for PP and polyethylene (PE). ICIS senior editor manager Vicky Ellis and senior editor Ben Lake compare notes with ICIS market specialist Aswin Ko...

HOUSTON (ICIS)—US ethylene glycol (EG) markets reporter Melissa Wheeler discusses global market dynamics and factors on the EG markets with Judith Wang, Asia EG Senior Editor, and Nicole Simpson, Europe EG Markets Editor. Market factors discussed include: News regarding China’s economic policies boosted market sentiment short-term Global lack of downstream PET demand pulling MEG demand lower US EG...

The permanent closure of Sabic’s cracker and other facilities at Wilton, UK, shows how tough conditions are in Europe with recyclers also feeling the pinch.  -          Closure of UK polymer recycling facilities has been a shock to the industry -          European recyclers find it hard to compete against imports, more support for local recycling needed  -          Regulations are helping recyclin...

Europe's oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets remain structurally weak, with some players beginning to feel effects of the summer slowdown. Ongoing economic weakness and geopolitical uncertainty continue to dampen sentiment, with activity expected to slow further from late July into August as summer holidays begin. Oxo-alcohols and their derivative markets are not expected to experience significan...

Slowing demand growth and a battle for market share between Saudi Arabia and the US could see crude oil prices drop significantly by the end of the year.  -          High oil prices stimulate more production, low prices less -          Saudi Arabia and the US battle for market share -          Global demand for oil is around 100 million barrels/day -          Electric vehicles (EVs) have destroyed...

As the existing global trading system crumbles, and overcapacity keeps growing, Europe’s chemical industry must move back to a more national or regional business model.   -          Trade war shows global trading system is breaking down -          Chemical industry could move back to a national or regional business model -          Would be a return to pre-1990s industry structure -          Europ...

With H1 2025 already in the rear-view mirror, and the summer heatwave upon us once again, the acetone and phenol, and derivative markets, continue to be blighted by difficulties. Demand, pretty much across the board in this value chain as well as for many other products, remains stubbornly weak.  Supply is ample in most cases as well, leading to stagnant markets, sluggish spot activity, and contra...

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Trade tensions have been in focus for the wider petrochemical markets since US Liberation Day tariffs were announced. In this podcast, propylene editor Julia Tan speaks with ethylene editor Josh Quah to examine how recent tariff developments have impacted the Asian olefins market. Ethylene support collapses with ethane resolution, new downstream demand to cushion drops  US tari...

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asian methanol prices have experienced a lot of volatility over the last few weeks, due to geopolitical concerns in the Middle East. While most production returned to normal in early July, some questions still remain around demand, both in India and the rest of Asia. Production in Iran, southeast Asia returns to normal US tariffs, seasonal factors to affect demand from downstre...

European politicians must decide if they want to save the region’s chemical industry as the wave of energy-intensive closures continues.  -          Dow to close cracker at Bohlen, Germany plus two other sites with loss of 800 jobs -          More than 5 million tonnes/year of ethylene capacity now under threat in Europe -          Industry still faces high energy costs, regulatory burdens, unfair...