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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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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
With the problem of plastic pollution growing, especially in Asia, an innovative project by Borealis and partners aims to build scalable, low-cost municipal waste systems in regions where infrastructure is lacking.
Indonesia is the world’s second-largest source of ocean plastic
Project STOP targets unmanaged waste in Indonesia
13,300 tonnes of plastic collected since 2017 launch
Project STOP aims to reach 2 million people
Local governments lead operations to ensure long-term viability
Accenture’s digital tools improve efficiency and transparency
Project STOP is open-source and designed for replication
Political leaders in Europe must boost availability of cheap energy and deregulate or risk deeper deindustrialization, according to Peter Huntsman, CEO of Huntsman. - AI will require vast amounts of cheap energy, Europe disadvantaged- EU energy policies have closed access to huge reserves of oil and gas- Europe has outsourced manufacturing, often to more polluting regions- CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) does not work, increases costs of imported raw materials- Tackle climate change through use of innovative materials, nuclear fusion- Tariffs are hurting any nascent economic recovery- Don’t expect strong economic bounce back in 2026- US reshoring will drive industrial and chemicals demand - China-driven overcapacity will persist for several yearsICIS journalist Will Beacham interviews Peter Huntsman, CEO of Huntsman
European phthalic anhydride (PA) reporter Gabrielle Jordan and plasticizers reporter Marion Boakye discuss market developments into Q4, highlighting key talking points from the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) annual meeting held from 22–25 September in Berlin, Germany.Demand in both markets is expected to remain subdued into 2026, with sentiment for the coming year projected to closely mirror 2025 levels.Topics discussed include:
Subdued downstream demand
Local supply and import flows
Market expectations for 2026
Podcast by Marion Boakye and Gabrielle Jordan
SINGAPORE (ICIS)- In this chemical podcast, Senior editors Emily Friedman and Arianne Perez discuss the implications of recently added reciprocal tariffs on the recycled PET (R-PET) markets in the US and Asia.
US buyers continue navigating supply needs, tariff cost sharing
Asia prices fall to record lows as US-bound exports contract
US short term fundamentals unchanged, though prices gradually move up
SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Fatty alcohols mid-cuts C12-14 are expected to see sluggish demand in the near term amid the festive holidays in some countries in Asia. Meanwhile, its substitute linear alkyl benzene (LAB) is likely to see some supply lengthening in 2026, even as demand conditions continue to be optimistic.
New LAB capacities in China, India and Mideast slated for Q4 2025 and Q1 2026
Fatty alcohols mid-cuts to see less uptake during festive season in India, China
Impact of delay in EUDR on feedstock PKO yet to be seen
In this podcast, ICIS senior editors, Clive Ong and Helen Yan discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia.
LONDON (ICIS)--In the wake of the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) conference in Berlin, Germany, players are looking inward to find the levers for growth in the face of expectations that the industrial downturn will continue to drag on. In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, ICIS insight editor Tom Brown interviews Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.
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