ICIS - chemical podcasts

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300

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Jun 2026

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This podcast is brought to you by ICIS, a leading global price discovery service for the oil, energy, fertilizer and petrochemical sectors. ]]>

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June 11, 2026Episode 147329 min

Episode 1473: Think Tank: Chemical distributors adapt to Middle East war impact

BARCELONA (ICIS)--European chemical distributors are flexing their business models to ensure that supply chains still operate effectively despite the Middle East war. Chemical supply chains are becoming more flexible Supply reliability and diversification are now key competitive advantages To thrive distributors need to diversify supply chains, adopt a more ‘local for local’ approach Distributors and producers need to focus on financial stability of their suppliers and customers After Hormuz, other global trade chokepoints could be weaponized If oil prices rise to $150/barrel, interest rates may rise to 5-10% High interest rates will cause chemical industry bankruptcies In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Dorothee Arns, director general of the European Association of Chemical Distributors (Fecc) and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.Click here to register for the 19 June joint Fecc/ICIS CEO round tables mentioned during the podcast.

June 9, 2026Episode 147225 min

Episode 1472: Sustainably Speaking: Making food grade rPOs commercially viable

Recycling editor Sam Lovatt speaks to Nextek CEO Ed Kosior about the company's new European food grade recycled polyolefin technology, the recycling market in general, 2030 deadlines and everything in between.

June 2, 2026Episode 147133 min

Episode 1471: Think Tank: Oil spike risk to $150 threatens chemical industry, economy

A potential surge in oil prices to $140–150/barrel could trigger demand destruction, volatility and disruption across global chemical markets.- Further delays to reopening of Strait of Hormuz could see oil prices rise to $140–150/bbl- Higher oil would drive panic buying then sharp demand destruction as downstream customers cannot absorb costs - Markets are already “extremely cautious and hand to mouth”, reflecting uncertainty over timing of any resolution - Chemical markets are most price-volatile since 2008- Demand is weakening due to inflation, higher interest rates and consumer pressure, hitting purchasing power- Prolonged conflict risks inventory depletion, raising likelihood of further price shocks in oil and petrochemicals - China has increased exports sharply (up ~40% year on year), helping offset supply gaps but pressuring global margins - Asia faces the most acute supply disruption, with plant shutdowns and reduced operating rates due to feedstock shortages - Structural risks are rising, including plant closures and bankruptcies, particularly where high costs meet weak demand - Industry may be entering a “global reset”, driven by overcapacity, weak demand and sustained geopolitical disruption

May 29, 2026Episode 147011 min

Episode 1470: APIC '26: PODCAST: Olefins, vinyls players process post-war impact of Chinese exports

FUKUOKA, Japan (ICIS)--In this podcast, ICIS editors Josh Quah, Joy Foo, Ai Teng Lim and Jonathan Chou discuss the ongoing developments in Asia olefins and vinyls on the sidelines of Asia Petrochemicals Industry Conference (APIC) 2026 conference. The editors cover trends in ethylene, propylene, butadiene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as well as shifting trade flows across the region. With Chinese exports increasingly asserting a greater presence in Asia as an impact of the Mideast conflict, they discuss what this may mean for the immediate future of these products. Unprecedented increase in Chinese olefin exports in March, April pressure markets amid demand drop-off PVC export markets contend with intensifying Chinese carbide PVC supply competition amid India monsoon season Temporary nature of Chinese exports called into question

May 28, 2026Episode 14697 min

Episode 1469: APIC '26: PODCAST: MMA downstream stays pessimistic despite easing feedstock concerns

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asian methyl methacrylate (MMA) markets continue to feel the impact of supply shocks seen in early March, with no near-term resolution in the Middle East conflict.Producers continue to grapple with costs from high-priced inventories built up during earlier panic buying, while struggling to pass these on to downstream buyers. This comes as easing feedstock conditions exert downward pressure on MMA prices.In this podcast, ICIS senior editor Jasmine Khoo joins us from the 2026 Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) in Fukuoka Japan, to discuss challenges in derivative markets, rising Chinese spot export activity, and an overhang of existing inventories. Accumulated inventories in Mar-Apr deter buying as alternative feedstock routes add supply pressure Chinese spot activity gains traction as regional producers grapple with elevated costs Seasonal June lull, Mideast conflict, weak downstream confidence keep sentiment pessimistic

May 25, 2026Episode 146814 min

Episode 1468: PODCAST: Asia acetic acid in roller coaster ride amid Middle East strife

In this podcast, Hwee Hwee Tan, Ann Sun and Jady Ma will talk about the volatility of Asia acetic acid market and key drivers.They also explored the cost difference and fundamental divergence between China and the rest of Asia.

May 22, 2026Episode 146719 min

Episode 1467: Think Tank: Recruitment in chemical industry trends to less roles, but better defined

Years of tough market conditions in the global chemical sector are changing recruitment practices with companies now taking fewer new hires and with a much clearer view of return on investment. - Recruitment practices have sharpened as market conditions have become tougher - Less roles on the market, but now greater clarity on return on investment (ROI)- Better for companies and recruits to have more specifics on roles- A lot of commercial roles still available - Operational roles in Europe may be for efficiency projects/turnarounds/closing sites- Asia operational roles focus on new plants or expansions- A lot of M&A, business transformation roles- Most successful hires are comfortable with ambiguity, flexible on geography- Just say “Yes!” to new roles within your own company or externally to gain experienceIn this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Natasha Klymczuk,managing director and founder of Kelham Partners.

May 19, 2026Episode 146611 min

Episode 1466: Europe oxo-alcohols, derivatives balanced to tight amid cautious sentiment

Europe’s oxo‑alcohols and derivatives supply is assessed as ranging from balanced to tight in May. Upstream volatility, ongoing Middle East tensions and cautious market sentiment continue to shape market dynamics.Spot price trends across the oxo‑alcohols chain are assessed as stable to softer in May compared with April, as weaker buying interest and cautious purchasing behaviour offset the impact of restricted supply and upstream volatilityOxo-alcohols and butyl acetate reporter, Marion Boakye, joins acrylate esters editor, Mathew Jolin-Beech, and glycol ethers editor, Cameron Birch, to discuss current conditions along the oxo-alcohols value chain.

May 14, 2026Episode 146531 min

Episode 1465: Sustainably Speaking: Recycling markets face near-term strain despite long-term optimism

PRSE 2026 highlighted a fragile but cautiously optimistic recycling market, shaped by Middle East disruptions, weak demand, and regulatory uncertainty.Across mechanical, chemical and emerging sectors, investment and long-term targets persist, but near-term capacity, demand visibility, and policy clarity remain key challenges.Join ICIS recycling editors and analysts as they recap their conversations from the event and the main takeaways from the two days in Amsterdam.Helen McGeough: International players remain committed to Europe long term, investing in rPET and polyolefins despite weak demand, while flagging certification complexity and the growing role of EPR-driven demand globally.Mia McLachlan: Polyolefins markets show cautious optimism, with Middle East disruption boosting recycler demand but exposing LDPE capacity shortages and highlighting the gap to meet 2030 PPWR targets.Nazif Nazmul: Chemical recycling faces a worsening mismatch between sustainability targets and financial backing, with weak offtake commitments and insolvencies (e.g. Plastics Energy) signalling risk to capacity growth.Carolina Perujo Holland: Textile recycling is emerging but complex, with major regulatory drivers (WFD, EPR, Ecodesign) and challenges in sorting, traceability and economics requiring strong value-chain collaboration.Matt Tudball: rPET outlook is highly uncertain, with tight bale supply, volatile virgin PET prices and possible summer feedstock shortages, but stronger buyer–seller relationships are stabilising the market.Sam Lovatt: Rising virgin polyolefin prices are supporting recycled markets, but recyclers cannot fully pass through increases due to cost-sensitive end uses, limiting margin recovery and demand resilience.

May 13, 2026Episode 146456 min

Episode 1464: Think Tank: Strait of Hormuz closure disrupts global fertilizers, more risks to food as war persists

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is having a severe and unprecedented effect on fertilizer supply because so much production is concentrated in the Middle East. - If war drags on, danger of two-tier food economy developing with lower tier suffering shortages- Poorer countries may be priced out of the fertilizer market- Food impact will be seen later this year and into 2027- Unique situation because fertilizer supply is very concentrated around the Strait of Hormuz, so the effect is amplified- Global ammonia, sulphur markets heavily impacted by the Iran war- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) applies carbon tax on EU imports - It will replace free allocations under Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)- As imports become more expensive, downstream sectors argue they suffer raised raw material costs- Proposal to suspend CBAM on fertilizers In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS ammonia reporter Sylvia Tranganida, ICIS ammonia analyst Bee Lin Chow, ICIS sulphur reporter Manuja Pandey, ICIS phosphatic fertilizer reporter Chris Vlachopoulos and ICIS data analyst Grégoire Ladouce.