OPIS Talks

October 1, 2026 • OPIS TALKS CHEMICALS:Driven by geopolitical shifts, persistent energy volatility, and massive capacity additions, global acrylonitrile (ACN) markets are rapidly decoupling into isolated regional hubs.In this episode of OPIS Talks, Mariana Santos Moreira, Thought Leadership Director, and Kevin Longworth, Executive Director for Acrylonitrile at Dow Jones Energy, explore three key dynamics: how mainland China’s rapid capacity growth has pushed Asia into severe oversupply, how US producers are navigating tariffs and domestic consolidation, and how Europe’s elevated cost structures are exposing the region to competitive downstream imports.Together, they analyze the end of large-scale international ACN trade and what these shifting dynamics mean for producers heading into 2027 and beyond.Have questions or feedback? Please drop us a line at [email protected]. Please help us spread the word by sharing OPIS Talks. Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

OPIS TALKS CHEMICALS:Geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions are accelerating structural changes in global engineering plastics, while mainland China’s aggressive coal-to-plastics push and shifting trade routes are altering resin flows worldwide. In this episode, Paula Sans Quiros, Executive Director of Engineering and Specialty Plastics, breaks down what these market dynamics mean for regional producers, trade flows, and global competitiveness.Learn how China’s transition from top importer to net exporter is driving a bipolar market structure, why the US maintains a strong feedstock cost advantage in the Americas, and how Europe’s upcoming requirement for 25% recycled content in automotive plastics by 2032 will reshape supply chains. You’ll also find out how $3 trillion in US data center investments for AI infrastructure and the growth of hybrid vehicles are unlocking major growth opportunities for high-performance polymers.Don't miss the opportunity to continue the conversation in person. Paula Sans Quiros will be presenting at the Global Plastic Summit in Houston, November 2–4. Register at chemicalmarketanalytics.com/gps and use promo code TPOD15 for an additional 15% discount.Have questions or feedback? Please drop us a line at [email protected]. Please help us spread the word by sharing OPIS Talks. Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

OPIS TALKS COAL, METALS & MINING:In this edition of Tariff Talk, James Stevenson and Charles Dayton examine the market implications of a stronger yen and a potential unwinding of the carry trade, including what changing Japanese currency dynamics could mean for commodity demand. They also assess the US government-backed oil deal in Venezuela, question the scale and recoverability of the country’s stated reserves, and consider whether Venezuela could eventually add thermal coal and high-grade iron ore supply to global markets. The conversation then turns to record diesel prices, the challenge of passing higher transport costs through to consumers, and the risks building across European gas and winter energy markets. Tune in for a focused outlook on the financial, geopolitical and operational forces shaping commodities in the months ahead.Have questions or feedback? Please drop us a line at [email protected]. Please help us spread the word by sharing OPIS Talks. Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

OPIS TALKS CHEMICALS:Geopolitical instability and structural changes are driving greater volatility in the global PET market, while limited new virgin capacity and the contraction of legacy operations in North America are increasing supply chain risk. In this episode, Roberto Ribeiro, Vice President, Ethylene Oxide and Derivatives & PET, breaks down what these changes mean for regional buyers and global PET trade flows.Learn how trade barriers and anti-dumping duties are forcing exporters to reroute supply, why companies are reassessing procurement and de-risking strategies, and how recycled materials are becoming increasingly important. You’ll also find out how emerging regulations could affect global competitiveness and what producers and buyers should expect as supply risks persist.Don't miss the opportunity to continue the conversation in person. Roberto Ribeiro will be presenting at the Global Plastic Summit in Houston, November 2–4. Register at chemicalmarketanalytics.com/gps and use promo code TPOD15 for an additional 15% discount.Have questions or feedback? Please drop us a line at [email protected]. Please help us spread the word by sharing OPIS Talks. Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

OPIS TALKS REFINED FUELS:Europe entered the summer facing fears of a jet fuel shortage, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatened a major source of supply just as air travel demand was reaching its seasonal peak. But the market found a way to close the gap: European refiners increased jet fuel yields, while additional volumes from the US and Nigeria helped offset disrupted Middle East flows. The latest episode of OPIS Talks examines what this response reveals about the resilience—and continuing tightness—of Europe’s refined products market.Reagan Pritchard, OPIS lead editor for the U.S. Gulf Coast Distillates Market, speaks with Jaime Llinares, managing editor for Europe Refined Products and editor of the Europe Jet, Diesel & Gasoil Report. They discuss the outlook for imports as the market moves into the lower-demand winter season, how European airlines’ fuel hedging strategies have limited the impact on fares and capacity, and why rising sustainable aviation fuel mandates will become increasingly important despite SAF’s current cost premium. Tune in for an expert view of the supply, pricing, airline and policy dynamics shaping European jet fuel.Have questions or feedback? Please drop us a line at [email protected]. Please help us spread the word by sharing OPIS Talks. Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.