ICIS - chemical podcasts

Rising coronavirus cases present potential renewed demand for US ethanol, IPA

US election - Trump versus Biden on chemicals

Whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden wins the US election, inexorable market forces will push the US away from fossil fuels and towards adoption of low carbon technologies. - Market forces are more powerful than presidents - Market forces will force switch away from fossil fuels to recycled feedstocks - Biden likely to push solar, wind, electrification of transport - Biden unlikely to reverse Trump’s China trade tariffs - Fundamental shift in US-China relations unlikely to reverse - Si...

Danger of demand slump for chemical towards year-end

As the next wave of Europe lockdowns hits economic activity, there is a danger that demand for chemicals from some end use segments may slump, but perhaps less than earlier in 2020. - Slowdown in demand towards year end possible - Demand for durable goods good in Q3, this could continue - Demand into service sector will be poor - Danger staff shortages could impact supply chains, chemical production - China high density polyethylene (HDPE) capacity forecast to rise 26% in 2021 - Chi...

PODCAST: Europe gasoline market struck with bearish sentiments amid fresh lockdowns, winter slowdown

LONDON (ICIS)--A fresh round of lockdowns across European nations amid resurgence in coronavirus cases is keeping demand-side fundamentals subdued in the regional gasoline market. • Ample availability is likely to keep cash premiums under pressure • Length to accumulate approaching winters, growing restrictions • Reduced refinery run rates insufficient for the current gloomy picture • Eyes remain on Transatlantic and West African arbitrage opportunities • Outlook to remain bearish ...

Polyolefins Podcast with John Richardson

Urea market outlook stable for short term

Global urea prices are seen as stable for the next few weeks with India absorbing 2.2m tonnes of excess supply in the market. The question now is what happens next. ICIS editors Julia Meehan and Deepika Thapliyal discuss the medium term outlook for the market and the factors that will influence prices in 2020-2021.

China’s key planning meeting has huge implications for chemicals

China is expected to unveil far-reaching plans which will impact the chemical industry around the world at this week’s Fifth Plenum meeting. - China could come to dominate global plastics recycling technology - Could dominate global renewable energy and electric vehicles - Build global alliance of countries which believe human activity creates climate change - Big strides in cleaning up China’s environment - More petrochemical self-sufficiency - Expansion of Belt and Road initiati...

US MPG faces tight supply stemming from hurricane season, production issues

Reach 2.0 should help Europe meet 2050 targets - ECHA

The European Commission’s new Chemical Strategy for Sustainability should help Europe meet the aim of climate neutrality, the head of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) says. - Legislation should give a push towards climate neutrality goal - Regionalisation of trade may reduce spread of gold standards like Reach - ECHA calls for better linking of Reach to other regulations linked to cosmetics and food additives - ECHA could partner with the industry to help define which chemical...

Limited production disrupts US isocyanates markets as demand rebounds

UK-EU27 chemicals face severe Brexit disruption with or without a deal

The UK chemical sector and its EU27 trading partners must face up to the reality of severe disruption to trade with or without a free trade deal coming into force. - With or without a deal, cross-channel trade will be disrupted - New hurdles will include customs declarations and Rules of Origin - EU27 customers may stop sourcing from UK - Brand owners now spending 35-40% of time on redesigning packaging for recyclability - Danger of switch to other types of packaging if industry d...

Podcast: New PVC FM declarations in Europe hit tight global market

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has tightened globally as a result of two new force majeure declarations in Europe, in an already snug situation following worldwide production issues. Senior Editor Manager Bill Bowen and Senior Editor Chris Barker discuss the potential consequences for the market and the outlook for Q4.

Pandemic lifts Europe IPA, ethanol demand by 60-70,000 tonnes/year

Demand for hand sanitisers has added a permanent demand uplift of 60-70,000 tonnes/year to Europe's isopropanol and ethanol markets. - Hand sanitisers and disinfectants create up to 60-70,000 tonnes/year new demand for IPA in 2020, or 14-16% - Renewed appeal of IPA versus ethanol as feedstock for these products could boost demand uptick further - Players eye automotive sector or and phenol/acetone production to gauge IPA imports from Asia into Europe - Potential for growth on highe...

Europe PO chain tightens, with polyols pulling demand

LONDON (ICIS)--Tightness in the European propylene oxide (PO) chain has led to demand surges and price increases in its derivatives; polyols, mono propylene glycol (MPG) and propylene glycol ethers. Listen to ICIS editors Jane Gibson, Fergus Jensen and Eashani Chavda discuss the latest developments in these markets.

Capturing growth from sustainability tops EPCA agenda

How to capture growth from sustainability amid rapid changes to end use markets and the energy mix topped the agenda at this year’s virtual European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) meeting. - Industry must change rapidly to meet need for low carbon, sustainable Europe - With oil refineries closing, less naphtha availability may drive recycling - Coronavirus has accelerated existing paradigm shifts - BASF’s troubles reflect industry situation in Europe - Polyethylene (PE) demand co...

European oxo-alcohols chain sees mixed demand in early Q4

European oxo-alcohols editor Jane Massingham discusses the mixed demand outlook for the market and its downstream derivatives glycol ethers, butyl acetate (butac) and acrylate esters with Eashani Chavda, Nick Cleeve and Mathew Jolin-Beech.

PODCAST: Get ready for Reach 2.0, “massive game changer” - Cefic

The European Commission is about to launch a major revision to the Reach chemicals regulation which, amongst 70 new measures, could see entire classes of substances being banned. - Root and branch reform of Reach launches 14 October - Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability to include 70 regulatory or legal measures - More hazard-based or generic assessment of risk - Will ban groups of substances rather than individual substances - Will impact trade flows for EU imports - 2-3 years fr...

Turkey and Africa PP/PE demand rising gradually, impacted by wider economy

Turkey and Africa polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) reports editor Ben Lake discusses market conditions and global trade flows with European PE and PP editor Linda Naylor.

PODCAST: EPCA president Marc Schuller

The pandemic is pushing Europe’s petrochemical sector in new directions, but with a more flexible approach the industry can emerge stronger for long-term success. - Very limited visibility means maximum flexibility required - End use markets behaving in new and unusual ways - Pandemic has accelerated pre-existing trends - Europe faces new trends such as energy abundance, re-shoring of supply chains - EU Green Deal is a big opportunity for Europe petrochemicals - Europe will compete...

US PE, PP supplies remain tight, impacting sentiment in Europe

Chlor-Alkali market conditions podcast

Cameron ROberts chats with Charles Fryer and Angel Fernandez of Tecnon Orbichem, to find out more about market movements in chlor-alkali.

Hurricane Brief - Base oils, mixed xylenes in the wake of refinery production cuts

Europe xylenes and toluene spot demand weak

Mixed xylenes (MX) and toluene reports editor Zubair Adam discusses demand conditions on the European spot market with Nick Cleeve - editor of the downstream paraxylene (PX) and orthoxylene (OX) reports.

China bounce back may be on shaky foundations

China’s economic recovery may be frail as it relies on surging exports rather than weaker domestic demand. - China’s economic bounce back may be on shaky foundations - China market sentiment, prices influence developing economies - Pandemic impact on emerging economies could hurt global polymer demand growth - Turkey and Africa polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) markets steered by China - Risk of global depression, social unrest with imposition of more strict lockdowns ...

Hurricane Brief - Production constraints plague styrene, MEG, PO/PG markets

Hurricane Brief - olefins, polyolefins mixed in wake of active season

Europe refineries, petrochemicals may close as demand fails to recover

Refineries and downstream petrochemical plants in Europe could close in the next 12-18 months as demand for transport fuels fails to recover. - 1-2 refineries may close in ARA in next 12-18 months through lack of demand for transport fuels - Downstream chemical plants will also close - Switch to electric and autonomous vehicles will drive changes in the chemicals mix - China could become global leader in plastics recycling in 5-10 years - China’s demand for chemicals imports will fa...

USDA reduces yield expectations for US corn and soybean crop

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report earlier this month. In the latest ICIS podcast, US senior editor Mark Milam discusses the recent release of the report, the revisions that the USDA has made to its expectations for the key crops, and how those developments could impact the domestic fertilizer market going forward.

Hurricane season has US base oil production in crosshairs, tightens supply

Why ‘peak oil’ may coincide with ‘peak plastic’

BP’s new energy review suggests the world is heading for ‘peak oil’ while the same trends may mean we have also reached ‘peak plastic’. - Peak oil may coincide with peak plastic as circular economy undermines demand for virgin petrochemicals - Lower oil production will impact availability of chemical feedstock - Expect shift to renewables to impact chemicals demand from automotive - Why China’s new five year plan meeting is as important as the US elections - Lockdowns are not the be...

Oxo-alcohols chain sees uptick in demand as August holiday season ends

Oxo-alcohols report editor Jane Massingham discusses current conditions in the oxo-alcohols chain with acrylate esters editor Mathew Jolin-Beech and butyl acetate (butac) editor Nick Cleeve.

Sulphur and phosphates markets seek direction ahead of Q4

The sulphur and phosphates markets are gearing up for Q4 settlements. ICIS editors Erica Sesay, Annalise Porter and Sylvia Traganida discuss the key talking points in the run-up to the final quarter of the year.

US ethylene, propylene face diverging market dynamics on Hurricane Laura, coronavirus

Virtual PET Value Chain Conference: Volatility and sustainability amid a challenging economic climate

Melissa Hurley discusses some of the topics emerging from the Virtual PET Value Chain Conference taking place 9-10 September 2020 with European PET Senior Editor, Caroline Murray.

Global MEG supply tightness continues after US production disruptions

European monoethylene glycol editor Melissa Hurley discusses the global implications from Hurricane Laura on supply and trade flows with Rachel Qian, Lead Analyst for ICIS along with US editor Antoinette Smith, Asia Editor Judith Wang and Industry Analyst Cindy Qiu. Additional reporting by Rachel Qian, Antoinette Smith, Judith Wang and Cindy Qiu.

Pandemic drives shift to circular economy, $400bn petchems investments at risk

Coronavirus is accelerating the shift from a linear to circular economy, putting $400bn in petrochemical investments at risk or redundancy. - “Peak Plastic” reached on switch from linear to circular economy - $400bn in petrochemical investments may become redundant - No deal Brexit increasingly likely from January 2021 - Chemical companies must ensure they and their suppliers are ready - Must understand complexity of customs procedures, rules of origin requirements - Extra time f...

Urea market action limited to India

The urea market is pausing for breath after recording big price increases over the last few months. Will this phase of slow activity last only a few weeks or could there be a correction in store? ICIS editors Julia Meehan and Deepika Thapliyal tell you more.

US MEG faces further tightening supply after Hurricane Laura

Middle East Base Oils: Market trends

Cameron Roberts and Izham Ahmad discuss what market trends are impacting the base oils market in the Middle East.

Europe benzene, styrene September contracts settle lower

ICIS Head of Market Reporting, Barbara Ortner, and Deputy Managing Editor, Helena Strathearn, look at the September benzene and styrene contract price settlements, along with current market dynamics. - Europe September benzene, styrene contracts settle lower - Prices are still below March levels - Non-automotive demand recovering but automotive slower - Hurricane Laura supply/logistics having slight impact in Europe - Benzene-naphtha spread unprofitably low - Automotive sentiment i...

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...