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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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Asian spot prices for butadiene (BD) are rebounding, after a prolonged period of declines, as supply tightens on various unplanned grounds, but the supply losses may be minimised if China exports rise. Join ICIS Asian BD editors Elaine Zhang and Ai Teng Lim, as well as Senior Analyst Ann Sun, as they discuss current Asian BD market developments and a near term outlook.
Since the US Liberation Day, chemical prices and margins have plummeted, while tariffs are also accelerating the end of existing globalised business models of trade. - Tariffs are altering decades of globalized trade patterns, pushing economies toward protectionism- Chemical prices and volumes have plummeted since Liberation Day on 2 April- Export-oriented business models under threat, particularly for US chemical companies- Average US tariffs surged from 2.4% to 28% before settling around 16.8%, the highest since 1935 during the Great Depression- Future strategy must focus on regional supply chains and production capabilities, reducing reliance on global exports- Rising geopolitical tensions and NATO uncertainties mean chemicals for defence could become a major growth area- Localized production will drive demand for recycling, acceptance of mass balance approach needed- Grupa Azoty Polyolefins bankruptcy shows vulnerability of European chemical projects in an oversupplied global market - Regionalization trend already accelerating companies like BASF touting local capacity as a competitive advantage amid tariff uncertainty- Expect consolidation into fewer, larger producers in Europe, while smaller players may shut down or transition to specialties/low carbon production
China has a huge impact on the global chemical industry in terms of supply and demand so analysis of future demographic and economic trends is important for business leaders. - Huge variation in forecasts for changes in population- Chemicals demand growth scenario planning is vital- Must take into account China’s success in technology and exports- Demand boost if export earnings are funnelled back into pension and healthcare reforms- ICIS base case 2025-2050 sees 2% polyolefins demand growth per annum, down from 10% between 1992 and 2024- More container traffic may return to the Suez Canal if ceasefire holds
LONDON (ICIS)--Europe’s oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets remain structurally weak, as participants keep inventories lean or actively destock, further reducing spot market activity.Market participants are now prioritizing inventory management and 2026 contract talks, with fundamentals expected to remain largely unchanged through year-end.Oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate reporter, Marion Boakye, joins acrylate esters editor, Mathew Jolin-Beech, and glycol ethers editor, Cameron Birch, to discuss current conditions along the oxo-alcohols value chain.
The decision by ExxonMobil to close its ethane cracker in Scotland shows there is a need for faster action by lawmakers across Europe and more innovative thinking to safeguard the region’s chemical industry. - ExxonMobil to close its 830,000 tonnes/year, ethane-fed Fife Ethylene Plant - Questions over availability of North Sea ethane to feed the plant- Around $1 billion investment reportedly needed to revamp plant- Rising defence spending offers opportunities- Chemicals can switch to more technical and service-based products- INEOS preparing anti-dumping duties cases to protect its business- Europe must fight for its innovation advantage, other regions getting stronger- Aging population in Europe is a drag on demand
Europe butadiene (BD) editor Melissa Hurley discusses the current market conditions and challenges facing the global market with editors Ai Teng Lim, Stephanie Cervantes and BD analyst Gawaine Preston.
BD Asia prices hit two-year lows in November due to heavy deep-sea imports from Europe, US, and South America.
NE Asia received 250,000 tonnes of deep-sea cargoes in first three quarters of 2025 (up 100,000 tonnes versus 2024).
Local production in China impacted by maintenance; BR futures may influence BD pricing sentiment
European export prices to Asia dropped sharply, indications below naphtha cost
January-July 2025 European BD exports to Asia four times larger than 2024 volumes
Local European demand underperforming; suppliers extracting less BD
Crude C4 (CC4) length persists despite low cracker rates
Longer term CC4 availability in Europe diminished due to cracker closures
Domestic US market steady to long; tire imports from Asia hurt US tire manufacturing.
US BD production stable; supply long; prices near breakeven resulting in suppliers considering or undergoing co-cracking activities
Minor Q1 turnaround in 2026 running concurrently alongside major cracker turnaround could keep supply and demand fundamentals balanced
Additional reporting from Industry Analysts Elaine Zhang and Ann Sun.
As the year draws to a close, weak underlying demand persists in the European acetone, phenol and derivatives chain in a fragile macro climate, compounded by year-end inventory and working capital considerations. Other headwinds include global overcapacity led by Asia and profitability struggles in Europe in the face of high costs which have led to rationalisation plans in Europe in the chain and broader industry.Heidi Finch senior editor covering the European BPA and epoxy resins markets is joined by: Jane Gibson covering the acetone and phenol markets, Mat Jolin-Beech covering MMA, Sam Lovatt covering PC and VIP guest Michele Bossi - analyst for the chain.
Chemical markets across Asia are seeing more trade flows from low cost producers such as China and the US as competition grows amid rising overcapacity.- Asia downstream markets not expected to recover until 2027/8- Low cost producers such as US, China, competing for market share- US tariffs, sanctions disrupting regional chemical markets- Moves in China, South Korea, Japan to close uncompetitive plants may help rebalance markets- China producers are exporting to other regions, such as Latin America- New China acetic acid plants add 10% to capacity in 2025- Downstream demand growth not keeping pace- Since the podcast was recorded on 3 November, a major plant has shut, driving up demand for imports into India, potentially widening arbitrage for Atlantic spot trades - In China, retirement of older acetic acid plants unlikely to offset capacity addition in near future
Senior Editor Vicky Ellis is joined by colleagues Senior Editor Ben Lake and Markets Editor Anne-Sophie Briant-Vaghela to discuss the a generally weak October polymer market. They also discuss the outlook for November, in what has been a disappointing year for many in the polymer business.
Senior Editor Vicky Ellis is joined by colleagues Senior Editor Ben Lake and Markets Editor Anne-Sophie Briant-Vaghela to discuss the a generally weak October polymer market. They also discuss the outlook for November, in what has been a disappointing year for many in the polymer business.
With low-carbon fuels facing multiple challenges including poor demand, feedstock constraints and policy uncertainty, catalysts can help solve technology roadblocks in this emerging global market.
Biofuels face competition from electrification and hydrogen
Feedstock shortages hinder scale-up of biofuels
Shell and BP cancel major biorefinery projects in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) costs up to five times more than jet kerosene
Regulatory mandates not rising quickly enough to stimulate demand
Catalyst innovation boosts e-fuels efficiency, reduces energy use
Industry needs incentives, clarity and global cooperation
In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham and ICIS biofuels editor Nazif Nazmul interview Andreas Bachmeier, head of business development & energy transition at Clariant.
HOUSTON (ICIS) -- US ethylene glycol (EG) and ethylene oxide (EO) markets reporter, Melissa Wheeler is joined by Vice President of North America polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polyester chain, and Senior Data Analyst for US EO acrylonitrile and PX, Monica Losey, to discuss operating rates on the US EO and EG markets for the remainder of the year and potential factors contributing to reducing or increasing rates into the new year.· US EG continues to be hampered by weak PET demand· EO derivative production outside of EG to continue to trend upward into 2026· No expected turnarounds, planned outages for remainder of 2025
LONDON (ICIS)-- European oxo alcohols and derivatives markets remained largely unaffected by recent port strikes and maintenance shutdowns, with supply chains holding steady throughout October.Demand, however, continues to be weak due to macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures, keeping spot interest low. Glycol ethers and acrylate esters also saw minimal disruption, with stable pricing and subdued sentiment.As 2026 contract talks begin, many buyers are considering shifting from long-term agreements to spot purchases, reflecting ongoing uncertainty and cautious market outlooks.Acrylate esters editor, Mathew Jolin-Beech, is joined by oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate reporter, Marion Boakye, and glycol ethers editor, Cameron Birch, to discuss current conditions along the oxo-alcohols value chain.
Carolina Perujo Holland, ICIS analyst for R-PET and Caroline Murray, senior editor for virgin PET spoke to GSI Plastics CEO and founder Francesco Zanchi and general manager, Chiara Zanchi about the state of the markets and where they are headed in 2026
Following another successful K Fair in Dusseldorf in October, ICIS Senior Analyst, Plastics Recycling and Sustainability, Alexandra Tawton-Tomczyk is joined by Mark Victory and Matt Tudball, Senior Editors for Recycled Plastics in Europe, and Ben Monroe-Lake, Senior Editor for Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) Europe to discuss some of the topics covered during the event. Under discussion are the impact of the current economic downturn on the recycled polymers industry, the impact of both virgin and recycled imports into the EU and how regulation is still having a big impact on the recycled markets but remains a grey area in some cases.
Latest economic statistics from China suggest its economy is still flagging, meaning it will continue to export excess chemicals capacity into global markets. - China’s economy is sputtering as country deals with excess domestic capacity and ruptured property sector- Global chemical markets likely to see more flows of cheap material from China, undermining prices and margins- Latin American Petrochemical and Chemical Association (APLA) delegates in Mexico report rising pressure from Chinese, US imports - ICIS data shows spreads near record lows in Asia, little hope of recovery to long-term averages
SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asia styrene prices continued to be under pressure, while downstream margins began to recover.
Downstream polymer margins stabilise after SM corrections
2026 contract discussions could progress slowly, greater focus on FOB China
China's major role in Asia SM remains under spotlight amid further supply expansion
In this chemical podcast, Asia styrene editors Luffy Wu and Aviva Zhang discuss recent market developments, and the outlook ahead, following their observations in the industry conference held last week in Xi'an, China.
The European base oils market is facing key challenges with strong capacity growth and a transition from Group I to Group II and Group III, while re-refined base oils have been growing in popularity due to consistent quality, attractive prices and their circular aspect. The ICIS base oils team attended the 60th UEIL Congress in Italy, engaging with key players in the industry on the latest market developments.Samantha Wright, Sophie Udubasceanu and Alessia Succi Cimentini discuss the key takeaways from the conference and what awaits the European base oils industry.
Ongoing weak demand pressure, rising import trends, and interest in recycling sets the tone at K in Dusseldorf, Germany, one of Europe’s key downstream plastics industry events.Markets editor Stephanie Wix and markets reporter Sam Lovatt unpack the highlights and major talking points from K in this podcast, focusing on Europe acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), expandable polystyrene (EPS), polycarbonate (PC), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) markets.
Asia olefin players open their 2026 contract talks at a trade conference Xi’an, China, this week, with fundamentals in oversupply and supply pressure likely to ramp up in 2026.
Asia ethylene will continue grappling with oversupply from new capacities in 2026
Arbitrage flows could be here to stay with supply imbalances in southeast Asia
Asia propylene wrestles with propane challenges, squeezed margins
Availability of US propane a key concern for 2026
2025 Enmore Contract Season trade conference took place this week in Xi’an, China
Podcast by Josh Quah and Julia TanEditing by Will Beacham
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