The Chemical Show: Leadership Conversations on Strategy, Supply Chain, Innovation, Talent and Trends

Hosted by Victoria King Meyer

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Episodes

288

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Looking to lead, grow, and stay ahead in the global chemical industry? The Chemical Show is the #1 business podcast for the chemical industry, bringing you leadership insights, business strategies, industry trends, and real-world lessons from the executives shaping the business of chemicals. Each week, host Victoria King Meyer sits down with leaders from across the chemical industry, from Fortune 50 companies to mid-sized businesses and innovative startups. You’ll hear how they’re navigating today’s challenges and opportunities, the experiences that shaped their leadership, and the insights you can apply to your own business and career. Conversations explore the issues that matter to chemical industry leaders, including: • Business strategy and growth • Leadership and talent • Innovation and technology • AI and digital transformation • Supply chain and operational resilience • Markets, customers, and industry trends Victoria brings more than 25 years of chemical industry experience from companies including Shell, LyondellBasell, and Clariant. Today, she is an executive advisor and coach, founder of The Chemical Summit, and host of The Chemical Show. Whether you’re an executive, business leader, or rising leader in chemicals and materials, The Chemical Show helps you stay informed, think differently, and lead with greater impact. Follow The Chemical Show on LinkedIn and join the conversation. (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-chemical-show/) The Chemical Show: https://www.thechemicalshow.com The Chemical Summit: https://www.thechemicalsummit.com Progressio Global: https://www.progressioglobal.com

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November 3, 2026Episode 28834 min

INNOVATION: How IFF is Accelerating Bioscience Transformation with Leticia Gonçalves - Ep. 288

Leticia Gonçalves , President of Health and Biosciences at IFF , joins Victoria Meyer to share her journey from her early days as a chemical engineer in Brazil to leading global businesses at Monsanto, Bayer, ADM, and now IFF. The conversation focused on biosciences as a growth engine for IFF and the broader chemical industry, tackling complex challenges, and the importance of turning science into scalable, commercial solutions. Leticia discusses portfolio transformation at IFF, the shift toward health and biosciences, and the essential role of ecosystem partnerships. She offers practical insights on making tough strategic choices, driving innovation with purpose, and leading organizational transformation through clarity, trust, and learning agility. Victoria and Leticia discuss the following: Career journey: From chemical engineering to global biotech leadership. How a “no one thought possible” GMO project became a Harvard Business Case. Reshaping IFF: Why health and biosciences matter now. The core requirements for science commercialization: performance, cost, and sustainability. Building innovation at scale, inside and outside the company, with partners and patient capital. Culture change and leadership through transformation: making big bets, failing fast, and learning as a team. What’s next for industrial biotech and advice for rising leaders in the chemical industry. Killer Quote: “ The number one trait of a good leader is learning agility… Surround yourself with good leaders, apply a humble, hungry, and curious approach to everything you do. Humble to keep learning, hungry to achieve big things, and curious to always find new opportunities. ” - Leticia Gonçalves

October 27, 2026Episode 28752 min

CEO: Chemical Summit CEO Panel: Three Female CEOs talk Strategy, Adaptation, and Culture of Success - Ep. 287

From the Chemical Summit: three female CEOs share leadership lessons on strategy, adapting to market change, and building a culture of success in the chemical industry. Host Victoria King Meyer leads the CEO panel discussion with actionable takeaways for executives and rising leaders — practical leadership moves, adaptation tactics, and culture-building examples you can apply today. Listen for insights tailored to chemical industry leaders and business strategists. With: Victoria Meyer , Christian MacIver ( Pilot Chemical ), Jenn Klein ( SOCMA ), and Mara Gliozzi ( McGean ) This episode dives into how chemical industry leaders are responding to uncertainty, evolving customer expectations, and the shift from efficiency to resilience. You’ll get an inside look at leadership transitions, portfolio strategy, supply chain realities, and the practical use of AI all through the lens of real-world decisions in private and family-owned businesses. Victoria and the panelists unpack: Taking the CEO seat—unexpected lessons and the reality of “the perfect plan.” How decades-long company perspectives shape strategy and transformation. The ever-expanding list of industry challenges: regulation, supply chain, tariffs, and talent. Why customer intimacy, agility, and quick decision-making matter more than ever. The evolving role of AI in manufacturing, safety, and business improvement. Portfolio discipline: Investing for the long-term and knowing what belongs in the business. Career pivots, trajectory changers, and the value of mentors and sponsors. The underestimated power of industry “voice” and telling your story, big or small. What competitive advantage will look like for chemical companies in the coming years. Killer Quote : “To me, it’s not war. It’s actually a lot closer to love, to intimacy, because it’s about getting closer to your customers.” - Christian MacIver

October 20, 2026Episode 28635 min

CUSTOMER VALUE: Customer-Focused Commercial and Agile Strategy with Pete Corle, CCO, Solstice - Ep. 286

Host Victoria King Meyer speaks with Pete Corle, Chief Commercial Officer at Solstice, on building customer-focused commercial strategy, resilient company culture, and applying agile planning to accelerate execution. Practical leadership insights for chemical-industry executives and commercial teams. Tactics you can apply to align teams, increase customer value, and speed decision-making. Includes: Victoria Meyer , Pete Corle , Chief Commercial Officer at Solstice Advanced Materials Recorded live at the Chemical Summit , this fireside chat explores what it takes to set a new direction for a legacy chemical business while driving real alignment and impact. Pete shares lessons from his journey at Dow and Solstice, including how to create advantage, prioritize across shifting markets, and make the voice of the customer actionable. Get a look inside Solstice’s evolution from a Honeywell spinout, their approach to innovation in regulated markets, and practical strategies for building influence and confidence through change. Victoria and Pete cover: Turning customer focus into operational reality Lessons in commercial leadership from Dow and how they translate to Solstice How Solstice is investing for growth in nuclear, electronics, and body armor materials Why transparency, shared goals, and trust fuel high-performing teams Making big moves: Unlocking innovation, managing legacy mindsets, and navigating cultural change Killer Quote: " Before we built the playbook, we really just started to go out and solve problems. And so as we were doing that, in parallel, we were working on the strategy and taking it to build out the different pillars from a technology perspective, sales enablement, all these different pieces. " - Pete Corle

October 13, 2026Episode 28521 min

INSIGHT: How Chemical Leaders Approach AI, Cybersecurity, and Talent | Day 2 at the Chemical Summit - Ep. 285

Cybersecurity, digitization, and talent took center stage on Day 2 of The Chemical Summit . Victoria Meyer recaps the most urgent issues shaping the industry, from treating cybersecurity like process safety, to harnessing AI for business value, to redefining leadership development. Hear from leaders including Bill Clark , Shelly Linkerhoff , and more. This episode breaks down key takeaways for leaders looking to strengthen their organization’s resilience, unlock new business value, and build a thriving workforce. Victoria covers: Cybersecurity is the New Process Safety: Learn why third-party vulnerabilities and supplier risks are now top concerns for the industry, and what it means for your customer relationships. Measuring Real Business Value from AI: Hear practical approaches to assessing ROI, from reducing task time and improving customer response, to optimizing the customer journey and boosting brand visibility in an AI-driven market. What Talent Wants and How Leaders Can Respond: Find out why employee wellbeing has dropped nearly 30%, and how organizations can move people from struggle to growth. Leadership is the Talent Advantage: Hear how SCT’s in-house leadership program breaks the mold, cultivating managers and fostering accountability from the plant floor to VP roles. Killer Quote: " Your biggest customers are more concerned about you than you are. " - Bill Clark

October 6, 2026Episode 28421 min

INSIGHT: Chemical Industry Leadership and Trust: Highlights from The Chemical Summit 2026 Day 1 - Ep. 284

Fresh from the 2026 Chemical Summit, Victoria Meyer recaps a dynamic day of leadership conversations and industry insights. Day 1 focused on executing advantage in today’s marketplace through AI, customer intimacy, and commercial value. Hear takeaways from trailblazers including Michael Lefenfeld , Pete Corle , an all-women CEO panel featuring Mara Gliozzi , Christian MacIver , and Jen Klein , and more. The show also includes a major announcement—the launch of “ The Business of CASE ” podcast, hosted by Crystal Morrison . Victoria and industry leaders explore these 4 themes: Transformation in Action: How companies like Hexion and Solstice are reshaping legacy operations, moving fast, and building cultures ready for private equity demands and market shifts. Playing to Your Strengths: Why customer intimacy and trust, not just market rivalry, are the real sources of competitive advantage. Insights from specialty chemical leaders on challenging common assumptions. Differentiation Beyond Performance: What sets industry leaders apart today? It's no longer just about product specs or price; companies find new ways to create value, serve customer needs, and match evolving expectations. Building Trust Across the Value Chain: From internal teams to external partners, trust and transparency are foundational for navigating transformation, adopting AI, and maintaining customer focus in a changing world. Killer Quote: " Most problems in work are reversible decisions...just walk through the door and try it. And that's the culture we've been building at Hexion. " - Michael Lefenfeld

September 29, 2026Episode 28327 min

MARKETS: How Hyperscaling and Data Centers Influence Chemical Demand and Innovation with Jan Kalfus of S&P Global - Ep. 283

Jan Kalfus , Head of Americas Chemical Advisory at S&P Global Energy , joins Victoria Meyer for a fast-paced exploration of how AI and data center growth are reshaping the chemical industry. Starting with Jan’s personal journey, the conversation connects industry fundamentals with today’s high stakes shifts in AI, digital infrastructure, and supply chains. They dig into why demand from data centers is spurring real, but nuanced, changes on both the commodity and specialty sides, why much of the action (and opportunity) in specialized materials is still outside the US, and how regulatory constraints and value chain complexity make reshoring tough. The discussion then looks ahead: What does AI really mean for chemical leadership? How are industry roles and university connections evolving as automation advances? Victoria and Jan discuss the following : How data center and AI growth is fueling complex, uneven demand for chemicals. The real challenges behind US specialty chemical competitiveness and reshoring. Modernization, regulation, and why many intermediates left North America. R&D, innovation, and the shifting role of universities in the chemical sector. What “agentic AI” could mean for future chemical businesses and leaders. Human context, divergent thinking, and why people still matter for competitive edge. Killer Quote: " I always say it kind of to be a little bit provocative, but I think there's a lot of truth behind it, is that the AI will turn out to be the best CEO, the best engineer, the best manager, and the best scientist. It may not be one AI. We may have different agents with different capabilities and different sort of learning profile. But that's where we are going. " — Jan Kalfus

September 22, 2026Episode 28220 min

INSIGHT: Chemical Industry Paradox: Is Bigger Still Better - Ep. 282

Victoria Meyer returns solo to examine a pivotal question for chemical industry leaders: Does bigger still mean better when it comes to company and asset scale? With restructuring, capacity additions, persistent margin pressure, and changing global dynamics reshaping the industry, Victoria challenges longstanding assumptions about economies of scale and explores whether "economies of fit" are more relevant for the industry’s future. She draws on recent trends in prices, asset closures, geographic investment shifts, and customer preference changes to invite business leaders to reconsider how advantage is created and what to prioritize as you position for the next 20 years, not just the next cycle. Key topics Victoria covers: The Pricing Paradox: Rising chemical prices alongside squeezed margins and ongoing overcapacity issues. Do We Have the Right Capacity? Exploration of global utilization trends, China’s continued build-out, and the drivers behind new investment decisions. Rethinking Asset Lifecycles: Why asset retirements in Europe tell a bigger story about geographic shifts and changing demand patterns. Is Bigger Still Better? Direct examination of scale economics versus the need for flexible, locally optimized assets and supply chains. The Shift from Scale to Fit: How customer needs, regionalization, and the demand for supply security are changing asset and investment strategies. What This Means for Leaders: The challenge of aligning engineering, operations, and capital markets around new models of “fit” over traditional “scale.” Killer Quote: “ The industry that we need to build today and reshape today for the next 20 years is going to look very different than the one that we've built over the last 20, 30, 40 years. ” – Victoria Meyer More Links: The Chemical Summit

September 15, 2026Episode 28136 min

CEO: How Executive Orders are Reshaping Chemical Imports and Compliance with Noushin Shamsili of NUCO Logistics - Ep. 281

New executive orders and tougher enforcement are raising the stakes for trade compliance in the chemical industry. Victoria Meyer sits down with Noushin Shamsili , CEO of NUCO Logistics , to clarify what leaders need to know about customs, importer responsibilities, and real-time compliance demands. They outline how assigning ownership of trade compliance, strengthening internal processes, and leveraging systems like CAPE for tariff refunds can protect your business. This episode highlights the true risks of non-compliance and offers practical guidance for leaders navigating the shifting landscape of global supply chains. Victoria and Noushin discuss : How NUCO Logistics pioneered chemical-specific freight forwarding and customs brokerage. The difference between customs clearance and full-spectrum trade compliance. Understanding the new Executive Order 14411: stricter requirements, physical presence, and increased accountability for importers of record. Why compliance is a company-wide responsibility spanning purchasing, logistics, regulatory, finance, and executive leadership. The essentials every chemical importer must address: HTS codes, country of origin, valuation, recordkeeping, and post-entry audits. Tariffs and what’s changed, how to ensure you recover eligible duties, and common pitfalls. Practical steps to strengthen compliance culture and safeguard your license to operate. Killer Quote : “ Importing into the country is not a right, it is a privilege that has been given to every importer. ” — Noushin Shamsili More Links: Episode 248 - What’s Ahead for Marine Logistics in 2026 with Noushin Shamsili of NUCO Logistics Episode 64 - Innovative Logistic Solutions With Noushin Shamsili Of NUCO Logistics Episode 12 - How NUCO Logistics Pivoted During The Pandemic With Noushin Shamsili

September 8, 2026Episode 28014 min

INSIGHT: What Chemical Industry Deals Signal About the Future - Ep. 280

Industry headlines are driving strategic shifts in the chemical sector, and Victoria Meyer gives her candid perspective on what these major moves really mean for industry leaders and decision makers. This episode puts a spotlight on recent deals and boardroom decisions involving Shell, Olin, Huntsman, Solstice Advanced Materials, and H.B. Fuller. From Shell’s planned chemical asset sale to the Olin-Huntsman merger of equals, Victoria unpacks key questions: Is this a broader trend or company-specific? How does M&A activity impact value chains, partner relationships, and competitive dynamics? What does it signal about the future shape of the chemical industry? Victoria discusses: Shell’s $8B US chemical asset sale and why Exxon, LyondellBasell, and investors are circling. H.B. Fuller’s board rejecting a proposal from activist investor Ancora and why value creation looks different from the inside versus the outside. Why Solstice and Element Solutions called off a $14.5B merger, insight into what “better alone than together” means in practice. The Olin and Huntsman “merger of equals” and what’s behind their conviction that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Broader market trends: Portfolio reshaping, supply chain considerations in deal-making, and what leaders must do to position their companies for future advantage. Killer Quote : “ The whole point of reshaping advantage is that it’s not about fixing your business for today… it’s really looking ahead—for the future, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years out. ” – Victoria Meyer Article Links: Solstice, Element terminate $14.5 billion merger deal after shareholder feedback H.B. Fuller Board Unanimously Rejects Unsolicited Proposal from Ancora Shell draws Exxon interest in $8bn US chemical assets sale OLIN and HUNTSMAN Shareholders Approve Transformative Merger of Equals

September 1, 2026Episode 27933 min

MARKETS: Navigating Economic Shifts and Industry Trends with Martha Moore, Chief Economist at American Chemistry Council - Ep. 279

Chief Economist Martha Moore of the American Chemistry Council joins Victoria Meyer to unpack the latest economic realities and policy challenges shaping the chemical industry. Martha shares insight from ACC’s member surveys, discusses key drivers behind current market trends, and covers what’s keeping executives awake at night—from rising raw material costs to global trade uncertainty. This episode also covers the strategic importance of US manufacturing, the impact of legislation like TSCA , and how the industry is positioning for growth and innovation amid a shifting global landscape. Martha offers data-driven perspectives relevant to leaders needing to navigate volatility, build resilience, and influence both policy and boardrooms. Victoria and Martha discuss the following: Martha’s path from a STEM-focused upbringing to Chief Economist at ACC. The three pillars driving chemical demand: consumer spending, business investment, and exports. The sharp rise in raw materials and logistics costs for chemical manufacturers. What ACC’s members and sentiment surveys reveal about today’s top business challenges. The effect of international trade policy, tariffs, and China’s rising influence on the industry. Why innovation and reshoring US manufacturing are vital for future growth. Leadership lessons for executives: focus on agility, long-term strategy, and building resilience. Killer Quote : “ Chemistry is foundational to our economy, and being able to communicate that message is one of the top things we do. I try to help people make the connection between chemistry and the experiences they’re having in their everyday lives. ” —Martha Moore Other Links: The Chemical Summit