ICIS - chemical podcasts

Global ACN overview and outlook for September

LONDON (ICIS)--As market players start to see some slow encouraging signs of improvement for acrylonitrile (ACN) demand, editors Jane Massingham, Li Li Chng and Lucas Hall discuss market developments. - European demand remains mixed - China and NEA lower production rates - US largely unaffected by Hurricane Laura, gradual demand improvement

US PVC supplies tighten on stronger demand, production cuts from Hurricane Laura

Chemicals downturn began in 2017 and has accelerated

The downturn for global chemicals began back in December 2017, and has accelerated through the pandemic, coupled with a lack of visibility on future demand patterns. - Muted bounce back is underway for chemicals Chemical capacity utilisation has fallen since December 2017 - Accelerated during pandemic, and has not recovered - 2008/9 saw stimulus for automotive, construction - 2008/9 China implemented huge package to compensate for collapsed export markets - Aging populations will ...

Europe MTBE margins boosted by lower methanol prices

LONDON (ICIS)--Following a U-shaped recovery from Q2, European methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) margins have been lifted by lower methanol prices. European editors Eashani Chavda and Nazif Nazmul discuss the latest developments in these markets, and how higher ethanol costs have also fed into MTBE demand.

Momentum in European PX and MEG mounts, influencing mood in PET market

Changing dynamics in monoethylene glycol (MEG) and paraxylene (PX) are impacting sentiment in downstream polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Caroline Murray, editor for PET, asks MEG editor Melissa Hurley and PX editor Nick Cleeve for an update.

Chemicals must prepare now for more extreme weather events

- More extreme weather events threaten chemical supply chains - Tropical Storms Marco and Laura approach the Gulf of Mexico - Three Gorges Dam in China at its highest level ever - China flooding displaces 60m people and causes $40bn in damage, hindering recovery - Russian Sibur’s massive new 2.7m tonne/year cracker at Amur should find export markets - Russia part of the Belt and Road region, giving access to faster-growing markets - China’s new five-year plan aims to boost self-suff...

Recycling in the era of Covid-19

Matt Tudball and Cameron Roberts discuss why recycling is still important in the petrochemicals sector, despite the impact of Covid-19

Retails trends in Surfactants

Neil Burns and Cameron Roberts discuss how retail trends are changing in the wake fo Covid-19 within the Surfactants sector.

US base oils face upwards pressure despite weakening demand

Virus vaccine could be years away so pivot now for permanent changes in demand

An effective coronavirus vaccine could be years away so chemical companies must pivot their business strategies now to address permanent changes in demand patterns. - Science suggests effective vaccine for coronavirus could be years away - Huge technical challenges for scale up and delivery plus access in developing countries - We must get used to permanent changes to chemicals end use markets - Aerospace, automotive may never recover - Chemical companies need thorough bottom-up an...

Europe EO & derivatives performance & Q3 outlook

LONDON (ICIS)--After an extraordinary Q2, editors Melissa Hurley, Jane Gibson and Eashani Chavda discuss performance in the European ethylene oxide (EO) and derivative markets, monoethylene glycol (MEG), ethanolamines and glycol ethers.

BD margins remain compressed, demand slowly recovering

Feedstock cost pressure continues for Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives in August

After a third consecutive increase in propylene and ethylene contract prices, editors Nick Cleeve, Mathew Jolin-Beech and Eashani Chavda discuss the impacts on the European oxo-alcohols, butyl acetate (butac), acrylate esters and glycol ethers markets.

Markets punish big, diversified chemical companies more than specialties

Big diversified chemical companies are being punished much more by stock market investors than their specialty, solution-based peers, new research shows. - Big diversified chemical companies punished much more than specialties - Portfolios plays a big role in resilience of companies - Nutrition, mobility, specialties, agriculture focus fare better - Collapsing demand hits sectors like aerospace and automotive more than others - Companies can speed up decision-making via smarter an...

Ammonium nitrate in focus following Beirut explosion

The devastating explosion which rocked Beirut has once again put the focus on ammonium nitrate and the importance of its storage and handling. The industry already has tight rules and regulations in place but new questions have risen about further regulations. ICIS editors Julia Meehan and Deepika Thapliyal discuss what lies ahead for this market.

US IPA faces downwards pressure amid growing inventories, slowly falling demand

Podcast Europe: Styrene passes on upstream price increases, but still in demand slump

Head of Market Reporting, Barbara Ortner, and Deputy Managing Editor, Helena Strathearn, look at the outlook for styrene at the beginning of August.

Chemicals demand may never fully recover, focus on radical new business models to survive

Chemicals demand may never return to pre-pandemic levels so a radical shake up in business models is required, with a focus on local supply chains, recycling, and meeting people’s basic needs. - Short-term “sugar lift” from furlough and unemployment schemes - As these end, could be major unemployment and social problems in H2 - PE demand has been resilient as more low-paid people have had spare liquidity - V-shaped recovery in China is driven by production, not true downstream dema...

Europe base oils markets show signs of demand recovery following supply constraints

LONDON (ICIS)--After a turbulent Q2 the European domestic base oils markets are showing signs of gradual recovery in Q3, while the export market recovery is still lagging. Editors Eashani Chavda and Samantha Wright discuss the latest developments for domestic and export business, as well as the outlook for the summer.

ICIS acquisition of CDI strengthens North America position – ICIS & CDI executives

The acquisition of polymer data and analytics provider Chemical Data (CDI) by ICIS strengthens its position in North America while giving CDI a new global platform. - Acquisition of CDI fits with “four C’s” rationale: country, content, customer and capability - CDI strengthens ICIS in the North America market - CDI gains access to ICIS global marketing and sales teams - CDI can now accelerate its global growth, technology and sales plans - CDI had been approached by more than a doz...

PE, PP diverging in supply, demand outlook

EU €800/tonne plastic waste levy will accelerate adoption of recycling, may drive product substitution

Europe’s new €800/tonne levy on waste plastic packaging will force chemical supply chains to take recycling more seriously and could drive product substitution. - What we know and don’t know about the €800/tonne EU levy on plastic packaging waste - Tax could lead to polymer substitution away from polymers which are less easy to recycle, or to other materials - The levy could accelerate adoption of recycling technology and infrastructure - But huge challenges as recycled polymer ...

US MEG faces supply constraints

Europe methanol demand lifted by recovery in downstream MTBE & biodiesel markets

LONDON (ICIS)--European methanol demand remains lacklustre across a number of downstream markets however there has been increased consumption in gasoline blending applications such as methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and biodiesel. European editors Eashani Chavda and Nazif Nazmul discuss the relationship between these markets and progress of demand recovery since the pandemic spread in Europe over Q2.

Petrochemicals now driven by geo-politics more than economics

China’s new plan to accelerate a huge investment in Iran’s energy and petrochemicals shows how geo-politics is now driving petrochemical investments rather than economics. - China to accelerate investment of up to $230bn in energy and chemicals investments in Iran - Deteriorating US-China relations driving a new Cold War - Iran has huge resources and potential for chemicals - Iran could become major exporter of chemicals to China and Asia at expense of US - Iran is already ramping ...

Industrial ethanol outlook dependent on future spikes, demand remains elevated

USDA sees less acreage leading to lower ending stocks in July WASDE

Fertilizers Senior Editor Mark Milam discusses the recent July World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) which revealed expectations of lower corn supply and ending stocks in part to less acreage being sowed this spring.

Global PVC demand recovers after coronavirus slump, long term outlook clouded

Global polyvinyl chloride (PVC) demand is on the road to recovery from the coronavirus lockdowns; however the global recession, lower investment and potential localised resurgence of the pandemic present challenges for the future. Senior Editor Chris Barker, Senior Editor Manager Bill Bowen and Analyst Rob Searle discuss the outlook for PVC in the second half of 2020.

Coronavirus accelerates digitisation in chemicals R&D, new manufacturing technologies

The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating adoption of new digitisation techniques and innovative chemical manufacturing technologies, according to leading industry commentators. - Pharma and chemicals are using innovative R&D in the quest for virus treatments and vaccines - Reshoring of supply chains means now is perfect time to invest in new manufacturing technologies - Developing world poverty will drag down economic growth and chemicals demand - Chemicals could see weak July and ...

US glycerine still sees supply tightness following Q3 settlement

Chemicals demand is improving, but recovery a long way off

Although a post-lockdown rebound is boosting demand for chemicals, we are a long way from a real recovery to pre-coronavirus levels. Weak but improving demand for chemicals Need to separate rebound from recovery which is a long way off Asia prices did rebound but are under pressure over economic concerns Dangerous to assume rising oil prices indicate recovery Possibility of another oil price crash soon Future coal-to-chemicals expansions may not happen as based on high oil price as...

July feedstock costs place pressure on oxo-alcohols and derivatives

LONDON (ICIS)--Following another consecutive increase in propylene and ethylene costs for July, oxo-alcohols editor Jane Massingham discusses the impact on derivatives butyl acetate (butac), glycol ethers and acrylate esters with Nick Cleeve, Eashani Chavda and Katherine Sale.

Europe, US methanol contracts fall on continued weak fundamentals

LONDON (ICIS)--Following methanol contract settlements last week, which resulted in a 12% decline for Europe in Q3 and a 6% decrease for US in July, players are looking to the spot market for any signs of demand recovery. ICIS market experts Eashani Chavda and Anna Matherne discuss the methanol outlook for July and the recent surge in US spot prices.

BP disposal raises questions over petchems as oil and gas sector lifeline

BP’s decision to sell the bulk of its petrochemicals assets raises questions over the narrative that the sector as a saviour of the oil and gas industry, as some players start to look beyond the hydrocarbon era. Also discusses the recent rise in coronavirus infection rates, China's imminent move to polypropylene independence, and paradigm shifts in the pandemic. ICIS deputy Europe news editor Tom Brown talks to Paul Hodges, chairman at consultancy International eChem; John Richard...

China’s return spells caution for urea market

The rally in urea prices is expected to slow as China resumes exports following the end of its domestic season. The market has been able to ride out the coronavirus slump so far but a seasonal slowdown in the coming months would be the real test for producers. ICIS editors Julia Meehan and Deepika Thapliyal discuss how Brazil and India would be the key regions to determine market trend.

Chemicals could face L-shaped recovery, rapid shift from oil to renewables

The chemical sector faces the possibility of an L-shaped recovery as depression-like conditions persist for several years, with a rapid shift from oil to renewable energy also impacting the industry dynamics. - Quick shift to electric vehicles - Can expect a shift back towards long-term oil price of $24/bbl - Energy mix will move quickly to renewables - L-shaped recovery a possibility - Rapid shift from oil to renewable energy has implications for chemicals - China’s shift to para...

US PP faces varying demand, shifting trade flows on new capacity

Virus to accelerate China self-sufficiency in chemicals, overcapacity elsewhere

Coronavirus impact may accelerate China’s self-sufficiency in chemicals, leaving the global industry struggling with overcapacity as that huge export market closes. - Industry pulling out of depths of downturn - But risk of second wave is high, infection rates rising globally - China’s drive for chemicals self-sufficiency will increase - China PX imports could fall from 16m tonnes to 9m tonnes in 2020 - China refineries likely to run hard, flooding markets with gasoline and other p...

June could be turning point for US, European methanol

PP demand to fall in 2020 as applications split

European polypropylene (PP) editor Linda Naylor talks to ICIS Senior Consultant Fabrizio Galie about what we can expect in terms of PP supply and demand in Europe in 2020.

Ethylene cycle points to project cancellations, overcapacity

Analysis of the ethylene margin cycle suggests challenging conditions for producers in 2020, as new capacity and poor demand forces the cancellation of new projects and global rationalisation of assets. - Profitability under pressure in 2020 compared to 2019 - Ethylene margins were dipping before coronavirus outbreak - Expect project delays/cancellation where no final investment decision (FID) has been made - Shift in new projects from US to China (more than 10m tonnes 2020/21) - New China ...

Ammonia market in relatively good health despite the coronavirus chaos

The global ammonia market has remained relatively resilient during the coronavirus crisis. As a key building block for nitrogen fertilizers and important chemicals like caprolactam (capro) and acrylonitrile (ACN), ammonia is a vital commodity. Ahead of the third quarter, ICIS’ international ammonia market editor, Richard Ewing, talks to Sylvia Traganida about how the pandemic has impacted the industry, and what might lie in store over the next few months.

June PEPP outlook

European PE/PP editor, Linda Naylor, and Turkey and Africa editor Ben Lake, discuss the state of the plastics markets right now and what may come over Summer. There are a lot of questions to pose and many variables to consider. We talk through the current thinking across the market and what could potentially be important drivers in the coming months.

Pandemic continues to pressure Europe demand for oxo-alcohols and derivatives

Following the increase in upstream propylene costs for June, oxo-alcohols report editor Jane Massingham discusses the impact the pandemic continues to have on this market and its derivatives with glycol ethers editor Eashani Chavda, acrylate esters editor Katherine Sale and butyl acetate (butac) editor Nick Cleeve.