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This podcast is brought to you by ICIS, a leading global price discovery service for the oil, energy, fertilizer and petrochemical sectors.
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BERLIN (ICIS)--In a special podcast recorded on the sidelines of European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) event in Berlin, Insight Editor Tom Brown talks to Europe News Editor Morgan Condon and Market Development Director John Richardson about sentiment on the sidelines of this year’s meeting.
US recycled plastics Senior Editor Emily Friedman, US PET Markets Reporter Melissa Wheeler, Vice President of the Polyester Chain, Antulio Borneo, and Senior Recycled Plastics Analyst Andrea Bassetti discuss the implications of recently added reciprocal tariffs on the US virgin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and recycled PET (R-PET) markets including:
Immediate spot price impacts across virgin and recycled PET
Revised annual contract negotiations on several recent price increase initiatives
Forecasted market trends of US R-PET
Tariff management techniques applied by market participants
Correction: The audio has been changed to "the US imported 3.27 billion lbs of PET/rPET in 2024" instead of "3.7 billion lbs".
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 closures across the region- Oxford Economics forecasts return to growth from mid-2026- Southern Europe ports may get busier as more imports flow from Middle East, Asia- Sustainability has to be about affordability- Market talk of some aviation fuel buyers opting to pay a fine for undershooting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandates due to the cheapness of conventional fuels
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 industry is ripe for more consolidation- Leaders need a strong vision to attract the best talent- Private equity, state-funded bodies could buy assets, create national champions In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Christian Kohlpaintner, former CEO of Brenntag.
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 muted demand.A meaningful rebound in consumption appears unlikely, as ongoing economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and fragile global trade continue to weigh on major downstream sectors, particularly automotive and construction.Topics discussed include:
Supply-demand dynamics
Short-term outlooks
Key themes ahead of EPCA
Podcast by Marion Boakye and Gabrielle Jordan
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 Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.
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 developments in the markets and the short-term outlook.
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 seeing further downwards pressure from global trade.Some questions answered during this episode:
What is the current state of US and Asian R-PET markets? Are dropping US prices influencing Asian markets?
How has the evolving tariff policy impacted US R-PET and PET imports via the 3907 HS code?
What is the end of year outlook for US and Asian R-PET markets considering the weak environment at present?
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 editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate editor Marion Boakye and acrylate esters editor Mat Jolin-Beech about conditions in these markets and expectations for the near future.
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 essential for AI success- AI should augment, not replace, human decision-making- Governance and ethical frameworks are critical safeguards- AI can reshape supply chains and customer engagement- Cultural change and workforce education are vital- AI raises questions about intellectual property- AI adoption in chemicals is still at an early stage In this Think Tank podcast, ICIS journalist Will Beacham interviews AI entrepreneur and consultant Eleanor Manley, Sebastian Rau, director of advanced analytics for ICIS and Carlos Soares, senior vice president for data, analytics & AI at Brenntag.
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 regulatory support strengthen biodiesel market despite mixed demand
Recent drop in glycerine spot prices linked to a slump in China's epichlorohydrin (ECH) market
Market awaits further clarification on EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), impact on US tariff-led oleochemical trade follow
Biodiesel, which can be derived from vegetable oils, animal fats and other waste-based bio-feedstocks, is used as fuel in diesel engines.Glycerine is mainly used in personal and oral care products such as skincare creams, toothpaste and mouthwash. It is also used in food products, either as glycerine directly or one of its derivatives such as glycerol monostearate.
· 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 sector in future· At current trajectory, chemicals down-cycle could run for years
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 and Eashani Chavda
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 careful thinking
Global chemical companies withdraw from Europe
Local chemical companies can gain market share via mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
M&A and national champions may drive consolidation
Defence sector offers immediate, well-funded opportunities
In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Richard Carter from Carter Consultancy and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.
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 essential commodity chemicals production- Protective measures need to be taken in next 3-6 months to rescue EU commodity chemicals- A lot more commodity capacity closures required to keep operating rates healthy- AI will have a massive impact on chemical companies and markets- AI will enable us to navigate and analyse increasingly chaotic markets- AI could drive job losses, disrupt economies- Climate change will alter seasonal and geographic demand patterns- Electronics, property, auto markets are depressed- Q2 chemicals results are very poor in all regionsIn this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews John Richardson from the ICIS market development team, ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.
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 the Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), and what this means for the wider recycling world. Plus, how amendments in the draft Implementing Decision allow for recyclate from outside the EU to count towards the 25% recycled content for polyethylene terephthlate (PET) beverage bottles, as well as whats going on in the wider world of recycling. Some questions answered during this episode:
Why is this draft Implementing Decision on mass balance so important, and what does ‘fuel-exempt’ mean?
Will this increase investment in chemical recycling in Europe and what happens if other regions go for a ‘free allocation’ approach?
What’s the impact on global operators working in different markets?
Can recyclate made from post-consumer plastic waste placed on third country markets count towards recycled content targets?
What does a ‘level playing field’ for Europe look like?
Will there be a sudden acceleration of chemical recycling projects as Europe’s crackers close?
Is chemical recycling the solution for mass-scale food contact for polyolefins in Europe by 2030?
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 Kondapally on how Europe and Indian markets match up in July, and what to expect in August.
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 supply disruptions due to tariffs
Upcoming outages at Shell’s North America sites and BASF’s Belgium site
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 recycling sector, but more action needed- Outlook for Europe recycling more positive than for base chemicals- Chemical plant closures remove good quality jobs which are tough to replace- Wilton, UK site is perfect for development of circular economy- EU-US 15% tariff deal removes threat of 30% but many questions remainIn this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews James McLeary, managing director for Biffa Polymers and ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown.
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