ICIS - chemical podcasts
This podcast is brought to you by ICIS, a leading global price discovery service for the oil, energy, fertilizer and petrochemical sectors.
Episodes
BARCELONA (ICIS)--EU leaders seem to recognize the need for action to reverse deindustrialization, but it risks being too little, too late for chemicals.
- EU chemicals regulation needs ambitious reform, not tinkering at the edges
- Chemical companies continue to close operations in Europe, partly driven by regulatory costs
- Expect a review of Reach regulation and “one substance one assessment” part of the Chemicals...
Episode 1418: PODCAST: Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets focus on destocking into year end
LONDON (ICIS)--Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have seen a subdued level of activity in December amid ample supply across derivative markets and sluggish demand.
For 2026, many remain sceptical surrounding the prospect of demand recovery tied in part to the potential of infrastructure spending and any resolution to ongoing geopolitical issues.
Glycol ethers editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcoh...
In the second of a two-part Sustainably Speaking podcast special, Helen McGeough, ICIS Global Analyst Team Lead for Plastics Recycling talks to long-standing veterans of the European recycling industry about the current state of the market and steps for the future.
In Part 2, Helen is joined by Bernard Merkx who has an extensive background in the recycling industry and is the former President of Plastics Recyclers E...
With the prospect of global overcapacity easing from around 2030, Middle East petrochemical players are debating how to monetise their plentiful natural gas supplies.
- Middle East producers plan a major new capacity wave after 2030,
- Long‑term strategy centres on monetising hydrocarbons beyond 2030
- China’s overcapacity cycle may ease by around 2030,
- Debate about staying focused on simple, large‑volume commodit...
In the first of a two-part Sustainably Speaking podcast special, Helen McGeough, ICIS Global Analyst Team Lead for Plastics Recycling talks to long-standing veterans of the European recycling industry about the current state of the market and steps for the future.
In Part 1, Helen speaks to Dr Michael Scriba about the current downturn in Europe's recycling sector and discusses topics such as:
- What factor...
Remarks by French president Emmanuel Macron suggest a tougher approach to protecting Europe as global chemicals move towards a 2028 bottom of cycle.
- Ethylene, propylene capacity additions to accelerate, peak in 2027
- 2028 bottom of the cycle, project delays could push this out to 2029
- 2000-2028 almost 75% of global capacity additions for key building blocks have been in China
- ...
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, pa...
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 ...
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 acry...
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 r...
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 tonne...
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 Fin...
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 cl...
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) cost...
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 ...
Episode 1401: PODCAST: European oxo-alcohol and derivative markets stable despite supply disruptions
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.
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
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