ICIS - chemical podcasts

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300

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

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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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60 recent

October 30, 2026Episode 150920 min

Episode 1509: Sustainably Speaking: Why ReVentas is building 750,000 tonnes of dissolution recycling capacity

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.

October 30, 2026Episode 150845 min

Episode 1508: Think Tank: Europe chemicals need new ways of evaluating low carbon technologies

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).

October 29, 2026Episode 150713 min

Episode 1507: PODCAST: Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives facing high-cost, weak-demand challenges for October

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.

October 29, 2026Episode 15066 min

Episode 1506: PODCAST: Supply uncertainties remain key talking point in 2027 Asian C3 contracts

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

October 26, 2026Episode 150522 min

Episode 1505: Firefighting, restructuring and tug of war - ICIS experts sum up Fakuma fair

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

October 26, 2026Episode 150411 min

Episode 1504: PODCAST: 2027 Asia olefins, styrenics contract talks kick off in Guiyang, China

GUIYANG (ICIS)--At the 21 st 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

October 21, 2026Episode 150323 min

Episode 1503: Think Tank: Europe chemicals expect more action on trade after auto deal with China

BARCELONA (ICIS)--Following an EU quota deal struck with China on hybrid electric vehicle imports, the region’s chemical industry is hopeful of stronger protection for chemicals from soaring levels of imports. China chemical imports to EU rose 35% year-on-year January-August 2026 EU chemical safeguard proposals possible by December Hybrid car quotas could support European chemical demand Anti-dumping investigations face delays and circumvention risks Trade data could help identify imports rerouted through intermediaries Blanket quotas risk penalising legitimate trading partners China’s economic and property downturn adds pressure to export Exploiting European oil and gas alongside renewables could help tackle energy crisis Better electricity interconnections could unlock renewable power supplies Policymakers face pressure to address carbon costs In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.

October 12, 2026Episode 150217 min

Episode 1502: EPCA '26: Industry focuses on reliance amid geopolitical, sustainability challenges

At the 60th annual European Petrochemicals Association (EPCA) meeting last week, discussion around the traditional sustainability agenda has shifted into a broader conversation about industrial resilience. Speakers argue for a return to a balanced approach that considers environmental performance, financial performance and customer and societal needs Disruptions to global trade routes and rising security concerns are accelerating debates around Europe's industrial self-sufficiency. Consensus is increasing that these developments are creating a "new normal" for the chemical industry, although its final shape remains unclear A recurring theme through the conference was the perceived gap between policymakers' rhetoric and actions In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham sits down in Vienna's Stadtpark with ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.

October 5, 2026Episode 150155 min

Episode 1501: Think Tank: Europe chemicals in perfect storm, action needed now before it is too late: INEOS

BARCELONA (ICIS)--Europe’s petrochemical industry is in steep decline and the region risks losing access to locally-produced critical raw materials unless stronger, faster action is taken by political leaders and regulators. Increasing reliance in Europe on imported critical raw materials for healthcare, defence and industrial value chains Europe chemicals faces existential threat Middle East war gave temporary uplift in Europe, but now imports flowing from other regions INEOS mothballing UK plants due to sky-high energy costs INEOS Project One expected online towards the end of 2027 Little support and tough permitting environment in Europe Much stronger protection needed from unfair imports, including possible global or regional import quotas Create fewer but stronger regional leaders In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Rob Ingram , CEO of INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe, presdient of Plastics Europe and chairman of Petrochemcials Europe.

September 30, 2026Episode 150014 min

Episode 1500: PODCAST: Europe oxo-alcohols, derivatives markets' cost uncertainty persists as 2027 contract discussions begin

LONDON (ICIS)--Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets continue to face high cost uncertainty and volatility as Q4 beckons. Sentiment in the market remains widely mixed after a subdued start to the autumn on the purchasing side. As 2027 contract discussions commence, there is a renewed focus on sourcing origin, particularly for products which were more exposed to Middle East origin export constraints this year, as well as the close attention being paid to anti dumping duty investigations still ongoing in some cases. Glycol ethers editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate editor Marion Boakye and acrylate esters editor Mathew Jolin-Beech about current market conditions and expectations for the near future.