ICIS - chemical podcasts

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.

LONDON (ICIS)--In April, for European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets the focus has remained on supply-side changes to drive market sentiment and prices. This is largely expected to continue for the remainder of the quarter. Across markets, underlying demand continues to struggle amid the muted downstream environment in a variety of end user segments. Anticipated supply improvements for the rest of the quarter remain closely monitored Glycol ethers report editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols Editor Nicole Simpson, acrylate esters Editor Mat Jolin-Beech and butyl acetate Editor Marion Boakye about the current conditions in these markets and expectations for the near future.

Recent cracker closure announcements in Europe and Japan may be the first of many as the industry grapples with chronic overcapacity driven by China and the Middle East. - Three cracker closure announcements in Europe, Japan since late March - 1.4 million tonnes of ethylene capacity affected, but up to 20 million may be needed - Europe, Japan, South Korea suffer from higher costs - Negative chemicals demand growth possible in China - China still dominates global chemical markets - Opportunity to pivot sites to low carbon, local markets

The urea market is expected to remain subdued as Chinese exports resume over the next few months and given Iranian producers eagerness to move product before any fresh sanctions are imposed. In this podcast, ICIS senior editors Sylvia Traganida and Deepika Thapliyal discuss the globally supply and demand situation for urea and ammonia, and the future developments for both products.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Persistent production constraints have driven Asia’s spot prices for butadiene (BD) to near two-year-high levels, but how the rally may go from here may hinge on downstream demand conditions. In this podcast, ICIS editors Ai Teng Lim and Aviva Zhang discuss how regional supply and demand balance has evolved across different Asian outlets and how this may pan out from here for the near future.

The arbitrage between Europe and northeast Asia opened up in Q1 as OQ Chemicals declared force majeure on oxo-alcohols at its German site, tightening the European market. However, as underlying European demand remains sluggish and economic malaise continues, import opportunities for Asian sellers may be short lived. Europe markets editor, Nicole Simpson, and Asia markets editor, Julia Tan, discuss the outlook for supply, demand and trade flows in the coming quarter.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--In this podcast, ICIS Analyst Sijia Li and ICIS Senior Industry Analyst Joanne Wang talk about highlights in in polyolefin market to provide background for you to visit Chinaplas.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Buying in Asia and the Middle East polyethylene terephthalate (PET) markets remained relatively need-based, with factors like geopolitical tensions and uncertainties in freight rates clouding sentiment. · Mixed sentiment in Asian markets, PET tracks upstream closely · Uncertainty around freight rates leads to need-based buying · Inventories with Mideast buyers high, however some replenishment expected post-Eid break In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Damini Dabholkar and Zachary Tia discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia and the Mideast. ICIS will be at the Chinaplas conference in Shanghai from 23-26 April. Please feel free to get in touch with our team there.

Europe is finalizing the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, with far-reaching implications for both virgin and recycled polymer producers. - Most significant EU packaging legislation in decades - Includes binding targets for recycling and recyclability - PPWR will have huge impact on virgin and recycled packaging sectors - Working groups need to be set up across recycling value chains

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia recycled polymers markets were sluggish for the most part in 2023. In early 2024 too, challenges that dim the short-term outlook persist. Some legislations surrounding recycling were also put in place in the region over the last few years, but the obstacles that limit the growth of this sector still remain. In this chemical podcast, ICIS senior editor Arianne Perez and analysts Joshua Tan and Chua Xin Nee share their insights on the topic.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)— China recently recorded an average propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit run rate of 47.6% on 3 April, down from 58.7% from a week before, marking the biggest week-on-week decrease ever and hitting the lowest point on record, according to ICIS data. However, the average operating rate of PDH units in China is expected to pick up from late April as restarts are expected amid expectations of wider propylene-propane price spreads in Q2 and Q3. In this podcast, ICIS Analyst Wang Yan shares insights on the challenges faced by PDH operators.

Governments around the world are accelerating moves to impose anti-dumping duties as China ramps up exports of excess chemicals capacities. - New wave of chemicals anti-dumping investigations against China - Led by EU, US, India, Brazil, South Korea - China exporting more excess chemicals and other industrial products - China imports an added burden for struggling chemical companies in Europe - More trade barriers could drive deglobalization of chemical markets - China, Japan and India rely heavily on exports to fuel their economies

April is opening differently to March for Europe’s virgin polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) markets, and has been slow to start after the Easter break. Ahead of the ICIS 10th anniversary World Polyolefins Conference in Vienna this week, ICIS editors look at the early supply/demand signs for April, and what are the obvious changes from March. This podcast features Matt Tudball, senior editor for Europe R-PET & R-LDPE, and Vicky Ellis, senior editor manager for Europe virgin PE & PP.

The chemical ISO tank container market may benefit from the shift to regional supply chains as well as growth in low carbon supply chains. - ISO tank containers may benefit from growth in low carbon supply chains - Shift from global to more regional supply chains may benefit ISO tanks - ISO tank containers fit into 20 and 40-foot shipping containers - Fill gap between chemical parcel tankers and steel drums - Global fleet of 850,000 ISO tanks in 2023, 5.8% larger than 2022 - Fast-growing sector with compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2% over 10 years - Used for smaller volume, more specialised products

Analyst Joshua Dill, Senior Analyst Andrea Bassetti, and Senior Market Editor Emily Friedman reflect on their experiences and key takeaways from the 2024 Plastics Recycling Conference in Grapevine, Texas. They dive into various topics regarding notable trends, legislation, chemical recycling, and more.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia's ethylene (C2) market will see northeast Asia supply in Q2 remain ample on the back of relatively high run rates at northeast Asian crackers. Similarly, propane dehydrogenation (PDH) units in the region are also expected to sustain current run rates for Q2. In this podcast, ICIS market editors Josh Quah and Julia Tan discuss Asia's olefins flows, with a forward view on the Q2 market.

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – China’s continuing real-estate sector woes ensured healthy exports, especially to the major market of India. Supply continued to be ample in the region, while market participants digested news of impending implementation of BIS regulations and the initiation of the ADD investigation. In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Damini Dabholkar and Jonathan Chou discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia.