ICIS - chemical podcasts

The White House announced on 14 May that it would increase tariffs on $18 billion worth of imports from China to protect American workers and businesses. How will this latest development impact China’s LPG supplies from the US, which was the second largest LPG exporter to China in 2023, following the Mideast. In 2018, China raised the import tariff on US LPG from 1% to 25% in retaliation to tariffs hikes implemented by the former US president Donald Trump. In this podcast, ICIS Analyst Lillian Ren shares insights on the potential impact on Chinese imports of LPG, including propane and butane.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- The ample supply of propylene in Asia as well as some new polypropylene (PP) capacities in China is expected to weigh on discussions in SE Asia in the coming months. In this podcast, ICIS editors Julia Tan, Jackie Wong and Lucy Shuai discuss some of the trends in the Asian propylene and PP markets and what we can expect going forward.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asian oxo-alcohols buyers maintained a wait and watch approach, amid the possibility of added capacities in China weighing on market sentiment. The acrylonitrile (ACN) market continues to see limited spot demand in the northeast Asia market. Even as downstream acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) has seen higher production rates recently, ACN producers were unlikely to increase operating rates. For the acrylates downstream, butyl-A market in Asia continues to take direction from Chinese domestic prices. With India's Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) requirements preventing Chinese origin imports, cargoes from China were flowing into SE Asia and NE Asia. In this podcast, ICIS editors Julia Tan and Corey Chew discuss trends in the Asia propylene and derivatives markets.

Phosphates prices have been under pressure in India recently, while demand is expected to return strong soon. Meanwhile, the lack of ammonia spot demand globally is weighing down on the market. Phosphates editor Chris Vlachopoulos talks to senior editor Sylvia Traganida about the state of the phosphates market ahead of the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) annual conference (20-22 May).

The closure of chemical plants in Europe and elsewhere could remove essential raw material supplies, threatening the future of downstream industrial value chains. - Global oversupply, driven by China, forecast to reach over 200 million tonnes/year by 2028 - Interconnected value chains threatened if important raw materials cease production - Globally 20 million tonnes of ethylene capacity may need to be shut down by 2030 - In Europe 5.6 million tonnes/year of polypropylene (PP) capacity may need to close - Integrated chemicals sites under threat if parts shut down - Industry associations could help plan to maintain critical raw materials supplies - Anti-dumping measures could protect exposed markets - China polyvinyl chloride (PVC) overcapacity may increase exports globally

It is a rarity to see sulphur or sulphuric acid take centre-stage in Europe when discussing a lack of feedstock for downstream petrochemicals - but tight supply for both has become a key talking point through the first and second quarter of 2024. ICIS' Senior Editor for sulphuric acid, Andy Hemphill, and Julia Meehan, Managing Editor of ICIS Fertilizers, discuss what caused this tightness and explore what options the industry has to counter the crippling shortages.

Join European Senior Editor/Manager Vicky Ellis, as she talks to European and African PE/PP Senior Editor Ben Lake and Turkey PE/PP Senior Editor/Manager Samantha Wright. The group discuss the coming month, as players see sentiment cool from a hectic first quarter. Senior Analyst, Lorenzo Meazza also drops in to react to Lyondell Basel's announcement that it plans to "review" all European polymer and olefin assets. Following on from announcements of closures of Exxon and Sabic crackers.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Sustainable finance is a key interest for companies that are seeking to enter the market or expand their current capacities. Despite the various available financial instruments, the absence of a clear entry point often results in confusion. In this podcast, ICIS Analysts Chua Xin Nee and Joshua Tan explore the different types of sustainability related loans available and their successful use cases.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asia's propylene (C3) market will continue to see weak demand, although potentially curbed run rates in China amid weak margins could lend support. Downstream, China’s propylene oxide (PO) import demand may continue to be adversely impacted by domestic Chinese start-up capacities, while demand in the main downstream polyols sector is unlikely to recover in Q2. In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Julia Tan and Shannen Ng discuss trends in the Asian C3 and PO markets.

LONDON (ICIS)—Synthetic fuels, also known as e-fuels, are derived from renewable electricity, air and water. The power-to-liquid process entails chemical conversion of energy. In this latest podcast, markets editor Nazif Nazmul interviews Paddy Lowe, CEO and founder of the synthetic fuels producing company Zero Petroleum. Synthetic fuels can play a vital role in slashing emissions across the transport sector in the coming years, although the road to scaling up is fraught with obstacles and opportunities.

Europe’s chemical industry stands to benefit in the long-term from the expansion of wind, solar and other low carbon methods of producing energy. - Growth in renewables means spot electricity prices can turn negative if demand dips - Europe electricity prices higher than pre-war as tied to price of natural gas, now mainly LNG - Europe has seen significant growth in solar, while wind faces delays due to supply chain issues - Decarbonizing includes reducing emissions from gas plants via carbon capture and storage (CCS) and other technologies - Challenges include grid infrastructure to transport electricity across regions with varying renewable generation - Despite regulatory hurdles, there is political will for grid investment as part of the energy transition

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Asia's polyvinyl chloride (PVC) markets are expected to see some uncertainty in the coming months, with factors like China’s domestic demand, the impact of India’s monsoon and some trade policy changes expected to shape the landscape. In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Jonathan Chou, Damini Dabholkar and analyst Lina Xu discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia.

SHANGHAI (ICIS)—Asia’s 1,4-butanediol (BDO) market continues to be pressured by oversupply amid slowing demand. With the first peak season in March to April ending, demand in some sectors has started to slow. In this chemical podcast, ICIS Markets Reporter Corey Chew reports from China on market expectations before Enmore’s 14th BDO and downstream derivatives forum.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Asia's olefins brace for headwinds amid sustained weak demand in May, although some support is expected from curtailed supply in China. Lengthening supply from South Korea could continue to weigh on the market's outlook as it navigates upstream volatility amid tensions in the Middle East. In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Julia Tan and Josh Quah discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia.

ORLANDO (ICIS)--NPE2024 is underway in Orlando, Florida, after a 6 year hiatus, and Senior Market Editor Emily Friedman and Senior Marketing Executive Natalie Stephens break down the key topics among discussions and presentations at the show: To learn more, ICIS market experts Emily Friedman, Kim Haberkost, and Ramesh Iyer will be giving separate presentations at 8:00AM EST in W414AB on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, diving into these critical issues and more. NPE2024 takes place on 6-10 May in Orlando, Florida. Please stop by our booth, S20165, to connect with us at the show!

A more optimistic outlook for the global economy and chemicals could be jeopardized by rising geopolitical instability. - Current downturn reminiscent of 1970’s oil shock - Global GDP growth could start to recover from 2025 - Geo-political risks are rising and could jeopardise economy - Chemicals CEOs slightly more upbeat - PMIs show China manufacturing now expanding - But China challenged by debt, property bubble, youth unemployment, demographics - Expect 2-3%/year China GDP growth in 2030s as population declines - Europe economy is stabilising, driven by services - US economy should see a soft landing

Market players expressed bearish views on consumption throughout value chains at the recently concluded polyurethanes exhibition and conference UTECH Europe held between 23-25 April 2024 in Maastricht, the Netherlands. ICIS isocyanates (toluene diisocyanate -TDI and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate-MDI) and polyols, European market editor, Zubair Adam and ICIS senior analyst for isocyanates and polyols, Umberto Torresan who attended the event share their engagements and discuss future developments that will shape future demand in Europe for these products.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--ICIS analyst Sijia Li, Yvonne Shi, Zhibo Xiao, Lucy Shuai, Joanne Wang and Cindy Qiu discuss the development trend of China's polyolefins and polyester market.

The European and US epoxy resins markets are facing a tug of war between margin and cost struggles versus still fragile underlying demand and competition from China. The US anti dumping case for epoxy resins against several Asian countries and the EU anti subsidy probe against Chinese wind turbines are also talking points as the west looks to protect its industry against unfair competition. Senior editor Heidi Finch who covers the Europe epoxy market discusses current and near-term expectations with fellow senior editor Tarun Raizada, who covers the US epoxy market.

The choppy economic backdrop, unprecedented growth of global polyolefins capacity, and how Europe can pivot under pressure from chunky legislation, were huge themes at the 10th ICIS World Polyolefins conference. Fresh from the stage, ICIS experts dig into the biggest themes that cropped up for delegates including converters, brands and producers in Vienna. In this podcast, PE and PP senior editor Vicky Ellis is joined by fellow senior editor Ben Monroe-Lake, senior analysts Emiliano Basualto, Lorenzo Meazza and Egor Dementev, and polyolefins consultant John Richardson.