ICIS - chemical podcasts

In this episode of the ICIS Sustainably Speaking Podcast, Matt Tudball, Senior Editor for Recycling, and Mia McLachlan, Analyst for Plastics Recycling, discuss the EU's upcoming plastic waste export ban to non-OECD countries and the impact on the recycled polyethylene market in particular, this year's export trends, market reaction and a short term outlook for 2027 and beyond.ICIS is launching a new Europe rPE price forecast providing an 18-month view of rHDPE and rLDPE prices and bale feedstocks, together with in-depth analysis of drivers behind them.Please contact the ICIS recycling team at [email protected] to find out more.  Key topics include: EU export ban on plastic waste to non-OECD countries begins 21 November Prior informed consent (PIC) rules have already disrupted waste exports Lower-quality low density polyethylene (LDPE) bales face the greatest market pressure Limited recycling capacity and investment needs across the chain Turkey's role and market volatility after the ban

Private equity dealmakers are becoming more wary of chemicals sector purchases after struggles with previous investments in some cases and the impact of higher interest rates and a volatile future outlook for the industry in Europe. ·        Private equity appetite for chemicals seems to be shifting away from European chemical assets rather than simply waiting for cheaper valuations, with several businesses failing and assets closing without finding a buyer·        Automotive and construction remaining particularly subdued, while electronics is one of the few brighter spot but is relatively small in Europe compared with the US and Asia. ·        Major regulatory relief before 2030 looks unlikely, but the imposition of further burdens may be limited, while the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulations could become less onerous than originally envisaged·        European chemicals companies have regained some financial capacity for M&A after years of Restructuring programmes and efficiency initiatives·        Europe's chemicals sector looks set for continued restructuring rather than a rapid recovery. The strongest strategic pressure is likely to remain on energy-intensive commodity businesses

LONSON (ICIS)--An evolving supply landscape, cautious procurement and continued ambiguity surrounding the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) are shaping European oleochemical markets, as glycerine, fatty alcohols and fatty acids navigate logistical constraints, contract negotiations and shifting pricing dynamics.In this podcast, senior editor manager Eashani Chavda joins markets editor Nazif Nazmul to discuss the latest market developments and expectations across the European oleochemicals sector. Non-GMO glycerine supply remains tight; low Rhine water levels compounding production and logistics constraints Fatty alcohol buyers face sizeable initial premiums for EUDR-compliant material, although price discovery remains ongoing Fatty acid Q1 negotiations are progressing slowly as the market aims to work through legacy stocks ahead of the EUDR transition Security of supply, EUDR compliance and the extent to which proposed premiums translate into traded prices remain key market themes

Increasing pressure caused by high energy costs and rising exports from China will force Europe into difficult decisions over which strategic chemical value chains to save. - Chinese ethylene capacity forecast to rise from 60 million tonnes/year in 2025 to 81m tonnes/year by 2030- Chinese producers are exporting more, shifting towards specialties - Europe must identify strategically important value chains- Regional chemicals champions can be built around major production hubs- Iran crisis initially lifted European operating rates and margins- High oil and gas prices now squeeze cracker margins and downstream buyers- ICIS expects Middle East disruption to last into 2028- Crude inventories have fallen from five-year highs to lows- Europe is less exposed to Middle East supply than Asia- Commission may adapt Chinese EV import quotas for chemicals In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS senior analyst for olefins James Wilson and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting. 

Recycling technology company ReVentas is building three quarters of a million tonnes of dissolution recycling capacity, directly and through technology licensing, with European regulatory targets in mind. But what is dissolution? How does it compare to traditional mechanical and chemical recycling? And is there enough demand to justify this build-out? ReVentas CEO Tom Rose discusses these topics and more with recycling markets editor Sam Lovatt on the ICIS Sustainably Speaking podcast.

Europe’s petrochemical industry needs to find innovative ways to evaluate decarbonizing technologies amidst an increasingly tough global competitive environment. Decarbonization must improve competitiveness, not simply cut emissions A competitiveness ladder can prioritise decarbonization investments Cost and intensity of electricity, best use of limited green electrons, value in market, water use and toxicity determine technology attractiveness Mechanical and chemical recycling offer opportunities today Electrified crackers could become globally competitive Scarce renewable carbon should favor highest-value applications Europe needs far lower industrial electricity prices Europe needs integrated industrial policy across manufacturing sectors China combines chemical self-sufficiency with clean technology ambitions In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Rafael Cayuela, former corporate chief economist plus strategy and sustainability lead for Dow  EMEAI (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India).

LONDON (ICIS)--The oxo-alcohol and derivative markets continue to face the challenges of high energy and feedstock costs, coupled with weak demand.However, beneath the surface ,additional challenges such as supply disruptions as antidumping duty measures are also shaping the market.Acrylate esters editor Mathew Jolin-Beech is joined by glycol ethers editor Cameron Birch and oxo-alcohols and butac editor Marion Boakye to discuss the latest developments.

SINGAPORE(ICIS)--The Asian propylene market balance is expected to tighten in 2027, with demand from new downstream capacities expected to outpace growth in propylene capacity. Meanwhile, feedstock supply disruptions and price volatility are adding uncertainty to propylene plant operations.As negotiations for 2027 term contracts get under way following Enmore’s Annual Olefins Conference in Guiyang in October, market players are closely monitoring how these expectations will be reflected in contract pricing.In this podcast, ICIS markets editor Joy Foo and industry analyst Seymour Chenxia discuss the outlook for the Asian propylene market in 2027, evolving term contract negotiations and uncertainties surrounding feedstock supply and plant operations.  Asian C3 balance to tighten as incremental demand outpaces supply growth Persistent buy-sell gap likely to prolong 2027 term negotiations Plant operating uncertainties persist amid feedstock supply concerns, price volatility

LONDON (ICIS)--Existential questions and disappointing demand were the dish of the day at the 30th Fakuma trade fair for plastics processing in Friedrichshafen, Germany.ICIS editors and analysts pick out their key takeaways from the fair, which saw more than 50% of exhibitors come from outside of Germany for the first time ever. It is a statistic which echoes a wider trend seen across plastics markets: greater exposure to global players.In this round-up podcast, ICIS senior editor Vicky Ellis is joined by senior editor Marta Fern (nylon and polypropylene), markets reporter Sam Lovatt (polycarbonate), markets editor Stephanie Wix (ABS and PS), and analysts Jincy Varghese (polyamides) and Tristan McCallum (styrene and styrenics).Podcast editing: Sam Lovatt

GUIYANG (ICIS)--At the 21st International Olefins and Styrenics Summit in Guiyang, China, conversations coalesce around capacity rationalizations, uncertainty over new capacity timelines and China's evolving role in Asia petrochemical markets in 2027 and beyond. ICIS market editor Joy Foo and senior editors Luffy Wu, Josh Quah discuss the implications for Asia's propylene, styrene and ethylene markets respectively.  Asia SM market outlook shaped by Middle East geopolitical changes; contract talks face structural difficulties Asia ethylene tackles high costs, capacity consolidations as Chinese players make plans for vessel ethylene trading Asia propylene driven by bullish, supply-led sentiment ahead of contract discussions, tempered by uncertainty over 2027 cracker rationalization, new plant start-ups