ICIS - chemical podcasts

Episode 630: Global ACN markets remain tight but forward sentiment improving

Episode 629: Think Tank: Can chemical industry rise to the challenge of a low carbon future?

The chemical industry faces an uphill battle to transform itself quickly enough for a low carbon future, but it is a battle it must win. - Study by Germany’s nova Institute suggests 100% of plastics production could be low carbon by 2050 - But faces formidable supply chain and technological challenges - Developing world will fail to improve recycling without massive investment - Strong demand growth may absorb waves of new polyethylene (PE) capacity - Europe seeing strong chemical...

Episode 628: Africa and Turkey PE/PP June podcast

Africa and Turkey polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) editor Ben Lake talks through the latest price and market trends. There is also time for an outlook for the coming months and a question and answer session.

Episode 627: US PE prices near record highs as demand remains elevated, supply impacts linger

Episode 626: Chemicals need governments to take more action on climate

Governments and regulators need to act more quickly on climate change to give chemical companies certainty as they plan to invest in low carbon technologies. - Chemical and energy companies could partner to secure renewable energy supplies - BASF CEO Martin Brudermuller says company needs more renewable energy to meet climate goals - Brudermuller warns that Europe may fall behind the US and China on renewables - Industry needs certainty on targets, regulation, support - Court deci...

European biodiesel market aims for greater UCOME, HVO consumption

Used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) consumption is set to rise annually up to 2030 in Europe due to the EU Renewable Energy Directive mandates (EU RED II). The waste-based biodiesel grades, which has higher greenhouse gas emissions savings properties compared to conventional crops-based biodiesel, can also be used as a feedstock to produce sustainable aviation fuel. Spot demand for UCOME and HVO volumes is already on the rise, as Europe emer...

Episode 621: Podcast: Mid-2021 review and H2 2021 outlook for acetic acid industrial chain

Episode 620: Think Tank: Don’t ignore demographics - they drive chemicals demand

Chemical company leaders must take account of demographic trends because they have a strong influence on chemical demand patterns. - Demographics important as aging populations drag on chemicals demand - Emerging economies with young populations will see good chemicals demand growth - China faces particular challenges despite abandoning the two child policy - LLDPE demand has surprised on the upside, driven by internet packaging - Robust growth forecasts from ICIS Supply & Demand d...

Episode 619: Crude oil largely recovered from Colonial cyber attack, braces for hurricane season

Episode 618: Think Tank: Plunging chemical prices could signal return to “normal”

Falling chemical prices in Europe and the US could be a sign that disrupted chemical markets are returning to more stable conditions as supply chain disruption eases. - ICIS Europe and US spot daily price index falls sharply - Could be a sign that supply chain issues are easing - China polymer consumption collapsed Jan-April 2021 compared to previous quarter - Slowing economy, supply chain issues may be responsible - China will deflate global chemical prices once supply chains norma...

Episode 617: Phosphates summer demand expected as sulphur prices stabilise

The increase in the phosphates subsidy in India this week is expected to lead to a rise in DAP imports, as demand is gearing up for the summer in Pakistan and Bangladesh. In the sulphur market, players are waiting for monthly prices in the Middle East to give some price direction. Annalise Porter, Erica Sesay and Sylvia Traganida talk about the latest developments in the sulphur and phosphates markets and also the upcoming trends.

Episode 616: Global MEG market digests news of proposed EU anti-dumping duties on US and Saudi Arabia

European ethylene glycol editor Melissa Hurley discusses the global reaction to proposed EU anti-dumping duties against US and Saudi Arabia imports with Judith Wang, Assistant Industry Analyst Olivia Dai and Antoinette Smith. Additional reporting from Judith Wang, Assistant Industry Analyst Olivia Dai and Antoinette Smith.

Episode 615: Europe oxo-alcohols chain sentiment shifts while supply shortages persist

Following another force majeure declaration in the European oxo-alcohols market, tightness persists for downstream derivatives glycol ethers, acrylate esters and butyl acetate (butac). However these markets are facing a shift in sentiment, with price pressure easing and recent spot assessments valued stable to soft, depending on the product. ICIS editors Eashani Chavda, Nicole Simpson, Mathew-Jolin Beech and Nick Cleeve discuss the latest developments for oxo-alcohols and its deriv...

Episode 614: Propylene updates for the European ACN markets

There is a heavy maintenance period currently being carried out for propylene in Europe, but spot has occasionally traded lower than contract for the first time in six months, so how will this affect the tight acrylonitrile (ACN) markets?

Episode 613: PODCAST: Asia ethylene H2 outlook gloomy amid significant supply gains

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia’s ethylene and downstream capacity is undergoing an explosive growth in 2021 that has cast a shadow over the market outlook for the second half of the year. In this podcast, Jasmine Khoo speaks with editors Yeow Pei Lin, Trixie Yap, Judith Wang and Izham Ahmad, on ethylene and its key downstream sectors styrene monomer (SM), mono ethylene glycol (MEG) and polyethylene (PE). • Asia’s ethylene capacity to expand by over 12m tonnes/year in 2021 • More than half...

Episode 612: Whether China methanol market may come under pressure after the price spike

Episode 611: US ethylene derivatives PE, PVC, MEG continue to see strong demand amid production constraints

Episode 610: Think Tank: Petrochemical price inflation could switch to deflation

Sky high petrochemical prices, which are fuelling downstream inflation, could become deflationary as China’s massive build out of projects comes onstream. - China’s capacity expansions may cause petrochemical overcapacity, price deflation - Asia margins for polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) already weaker - Styrene monomer, paraxylene (PX), ethylene glycol (EG) also affected - 2021 is a watershed year as capacities ramp up - China may reportedly be able to source cheaper r...

Episode 609: PODCAST: Latest global PET and R-PET developments

ICIS Senior Editor, Caroline Murray, and Senior Editor for Recycling, Matt Tudball discuss the lack of clarity and high levels of uncertainty around the European polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and recycled PET (R-PET) markets caused by logistics and production issues, and questions around summer PET bottle demand.

Episode 608: Europe base oils Group I markets see stability mid-Q2

After steep price climbs over Q1, European domestic and export base oils Group I prices are starting to stabilise. Though operating rates are likely to remain low while the pandemic continues, the European turnaround season is nearing its end. As a result, there are some expectations that supply constraints could ease in H2 2021. Editors Samantha Wright and Eashani Chavda discuss the latest developments for Europe Group I base oils.

Episode 607: Latest global ACN developments

The global acrylonitrile (ACN) markets remain tight, but the situation is not as critical as recent months. In this podcast, ICIS pricing editors Jane Massingham (Europe), Li Li Chng (Asia) and Lucas Hall (US) discuss the latest developments in the market and what can be expected in the short-term. - India a key area to follow closely - Planned maintenance to keep Europe tight - China market remains soft - US hurricane season considered from June

Episode 606: Global methanol market stable in Q2, a year on from Covid-downturn

LONDON (ICIS)--After a volatile year, global methanol market conditions are seeing signs of stability. Despite high coronavirus cases, the Indian market remains bullish, while China and other parts of southeast Asia are more stable. Trading has also slowed down in the US and Europe, with markets quiet in mid-Q2. However, conditions can quickly change, as we've seen in the past year. Global market fundamentals have been heavily influenced by unplanned outages as well as extreme weath...

Episode 605: Europe styrene barge contracts rise again for May, spot outlook mixed

Head of market reporting, Barbara Ortner, and markets editor Fergus Jensen, discuss developments in the Europe styrene market following another record settlement in the barge contract price in May. The seventh consecutive increase in the contract price came as a surprise to many in the market, as spot prices have tumbled by more than a third since their March peak. Tightness in the European styrene market, that was driven by major plant outages in Europe and the US this year, has la...

Episode 604: Chemical distributors navigate market chaos, build resilience

While chemical distributors have been able to thrive, despite chaotic supply/demand conditions, they must now plan for long-term trends such as digitalisation and sustainability. - Current chaotic market conditions have echoes of 2008/9 financial crisis - Distributor financial results have shown resilience in face of crisis - Better quality data is helping distributors navigate crisis with agility - Distribution is 15-20% of total chemical demand - Care needed to build resilient su...

Episode 603: PODCAST: Asia BD gripped by near-term demand-supply uncertainties

SINGAPORE (ICIS)-- Asia is a key player in the global butadiene (BD) market, accounting for more than 62% of global consumption. It is also the world’s largest BD producer, churning out nearly 59% of global output. Key BD consumers in Asia included China and India, which are themselves major car markets, for which automobile is an important downstream outlet for BR. But now that India is battling a devastating second wave of coronavirus infection, it has given rise to uncertaintie...

Episode 602: Next Indian urea tender eyed as China refuses to budge on price

The Indian tender has come as a shock for the urea market. MMTC was able to buy only 550,000 tonnes of urea, as China refused to sell. Shippers are also showing reluctance to send vessels to India because of the surging coronavirus outbreak. ICIS editors Julia Meehan, Mark Milam and Deepika Thapliyal discuss the outlook for the global market and what to expect in India, China and the US.

Episode 601: Global phenol and acetone trade flows challenged by supply tightness

LONDON (ICIS)--ICIS editors Jane Gibson, Tarun Raizada and Angeline Soh discuss global phenol and acetone markets, which continue to face supply limitations, impacting trade flows around the world.

Episode 600: BDO, PBT latest Europe market developments

Nick Cleeve, editor of the butanediol (BDO) report, discusses the Q2 price settlements in Europe with Zubair Adam, editor of the engineering plastics report which includes downstream polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

Episode 599: BDO, PBT latest Europe market developments

Nick Cleeve, editor of the butanediol (BDO) report, discusses the Q2 price settlements in Europe with Zubair Adam, editor of the engineering plastics report which includes downstream polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

Episode 598: As panic buying subsides, where next for chemicals?

As supply improves in Asia and the US, and panic buying eases in some European markets, new ideas are needed to ensure supply chains will be more robust in the future. - Change of sentiment in downstream markets as supply eases - Panic buying phase may be drawing to a close - China economy and chemicals demand growth are slowing - Southeast Asia demand faltering, especially India - China polyolefins prices fell four weeks in a row - Container crisis, semiconductor shortages hurt C...

Episode 597: Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives pricing stable to soft, tightness ongoing

European oxo-alcohol prices have stabilised in recent weeks following consistent price increases, while derivative pricing has stabilised and even softened in some cases. European butyl acetate (butac) editor Nick Cleeve discusses conditions across the oxo-alcohols chain with report editor Nicole Simpson, acrylate esters editor Mathew Jolin-Beech and glycol ethers editor Eashani Chavda.

Episode 595: The Asia and Europe BPA supply crunch persists, but sentiment diverges

LONDON (ICIS)--European and Asian editors Heidi Finch and Julia Tan discuss persistent short supply in the European and Asian bisphenol A (BPA) markets, but signs of diverging sentiment, as demand changes in Asia. • China market turns bearish, as demand dips on high prices • India market impacted by spiking coronavirus cases • Upstream phenol constraints, peak coatings season could cap Asia BPA supply • Europe spot remains at record highs on persistent short supply • Europe supply st...

Episode 596: US EPS, PS demand strong, upstream prices beginning to ease

Episode 594: Sibur, TAIF merger would create global leader, rejuvenate Russia petrochemicals

The merger of Russia’s Sibur and TAIF would create a top 10 global player in ethylene, rubber and plastics; and could help inject new life into the country’s petrochemical sector. - Merger of Sibur and TAIF would create a global top 10 player in ethylene, rubber and plastics - Merger could help rejuvenate Russia’s petrochemical sector - China’s economy lost momentum between Q4 2020 and Q1 2021 - China styrene, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) demand fell in Q1 2021 - Container...

Episode 593: Europe PE and PP prices at record levels, Turkish values softening

ICIS editors Linda Naylor and Ben Lake discuss polyethylene and polypropylene markets, as record high prices continue in Europe, while Turkish prices ease on buyers resistance.

Episode 592: PODCAST: Global flow of PET to see limited relief from logistic chaos over coming weeks

Significant disruptions rippling along the global polyethylene terephthalate (PET) value chain are likely to continue, largely due to shipping delays, container shortages and high freight costs. - Vessel availability restricts discussions, in addition to PET buy-sell price gaps - Europe short on reduced output and shipping concerns, putting buyers on back foot - Asian spot export discussions at a standstill due to low buy-sell interest - Americas inventories are lean, producers unabl...

Episode 591: China PE import prices lower on gradually resumption of supply

Episode 590: Record-breaking chemicals margins as logistics, supply crisis persists

Chemical producers around the world are enjoying record-breaking margins as the logistics and supply crisis persists amid strong downstream demand. - Record margins for global polypropylene (PP) and other chemicals - Strong demand, disrupted supply - China capacity additions could cause price deflation - Europe prices at record differentials to other regions - Danger Europe becoming cut off from global markets by container crisis - Consumer price inflation may rise if goods not avai...

Episode 589: US benzene, styrene production continues to recover from February freeze

Episode 588: More pain ahead for global urea prices

The downward correction in urea prices continues and the future points to more weakness. Will an Indian tender turn the weak sentiment or will it not be enough to offset Chinese supply? ICIS editors Julia Meehan, Mark Milam and Deepika Thapliyal discuss what is expected ahead, including the trend in the US domestic market.

Episode 587: US MMA supply crunch expected to ease in Q2 on returning production, imports

Episode 586: PODCAST: Middle East base oils supply shortages persist as Ramadan begins

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--In this episode of the ICIS Asia podcast, Senior Editor Jasmine Khoo speaks with Izham Ahmad, editor in charge of the Middle East base oils market, on recent developments. Middle East base oils continue to face dire supply shortages with no clear end in sigh • Middle East spot prices remain at record highs • SN500 UAE prices have risen 34% since January 2021 • No sign of any improvement in supply in coming weeks

Episode 585: Global ACN markets still tight, but positive signs of improved supply

The global acrylonitrile (ACN) markets is at a precipice, supply remains tight, but there are signs that each region will see an improvement moving forward. In this podcast, ICIS pricing editors Jane Massingham (Europe), Li Li Chng (Asia) and Lucas Hall (US) discuss the latest developments in the market and what can be expected in the short-term. - Supply still restricted, but less critical - Demand remains robust in all regions - Easing of pressure from feedstock propylene

Episode 584: Ethylene derivatives polyethylene, PVC, MEG take hard hit from rising feedstock prices, winter storm

Episode 583: Pandemic has broken link to GDP for chemicals demand, new models required

Post-pandemic patterns of chemicals demand will break the traditional link to GDP, meaning new models are needed to measure and analyse market trends. - Post-pandemic demand patterns will vary between mature, emerging economies - Questions over future demand growth for durable goods, packaging - Demand has completely broken link to GDP - Sustainability, geopolitics, demographics will impact demand - Europe chemicals growth could be driven by sustainability - China self-sufficienc...

Episode 582: PODCAST: Asia's toluene supply see gains amid cautious uptake for import toluene

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia's toluene availability has increased, but uptake among buyers  remained largely on a need-to basis. Asia toluene supply improved with more spot cargoes available Demand may stayed lackluster amid cautious attitude among market players Eyes on Asia-US arbitrage window and import demand from India In this episode of the ICIS Asia podcast, Senior Editor Jasmine Khoo speaks with Bonnie Yin, editor in charge of the Asia-Pacific toluene market on the recent develop...

Episode 581: All eyes on China as India potash benchmark renegotiated at an increase

ICIS’ Sylvia Traganida speaks to Senior Editor Andy Hemphill as conjecture abounds among muriate of potash fertilizer players over the future of the China 2021-2022 supply contract benchmark, after its counterpart India had its own annual agreement renegotiated at an increase.

Episode 580: Propylene, ethylene markets diverge as US thaws from freeze

Episode 579: Persistent supply tightness challenges Europe acetone/phenol and BPA markets

LONDON (ICIS)--European editors Heidi Finch and Jane Gibson discuss tight phenol, acetone and BPA markets, as the chain faces supply limitations, strong demand and record-high prices.

Episode 578: China's styrene tends to see balanced fundamentals