ICIS - chemical podcasts

Chemicals sector executives are increasingly facing up to the idea that the sector is going through a process of reinvention, with no big recovery on the horizon and a return to pre-crisis normalcy less likely. Executives are now looking at what the next steps for the sector will be.

In this Think Tank podcast, Tom Brown interviews Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting, Katherine Sale, ICIS head of editorial strategy, and Chris Barker, senior editor covering PVC and caustic soda, on impressions from the EPCA assembly.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--With 2025 contract discussions for Asia ethylene underway at the olefins trade conference in Xiamen, China, ICIS markets editor Josh Quah outlines what’s at the top of the list of concerns for players as they look ahead to the coming year.

• Players may take steps to hedge against unpredictability of deep-sea cargoes
• China’s new capacity takes shape, but lengthy domestic supply may not yet spillover to the import-export market
• Greater interest from producers to study the feasibility of incorporating ethane as part of cracker feedstock slate

LONDON (ICIS)--European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have been slow to start up in the new year as familiar factors suppress consumption.

Players were hoping for reasonable restocking activity this month, following the destocking period that took place in late Q4 2024, but spot activity has been below expectations for many players down the value chain.

Oxo-alcohols & butyl acetate reporter Marion Boakye speaks to acrylate esters reporter Mathew Jolin-Beech and glycol ethers reporter Cameron Birch about conditions down the oxo-alcohols value chain.

Plastics and chemical producers need to find more effective ways to tackle the problem of plastic waste after UN treaty negotiations ended without agreement at the weekend.

Consumer demand will drive improvements in plastic waste management

Chemical companies need to reconnect with brands/consumers

We will move out of the current ‘trough of despair’ about recycling

End of globalization may mean national/regional treaties are more effective

UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee concluded in Busan, South Korea, on 1 December, with no definitive agreement

Around 100 countries backed proposals, with a small number of hold-outs

The Global Impact Coalition (GIC) aims to bring chemical companies and value chain partners together to solve challenges on the road to net zero carbon.

Collective effort will bring down the cost of sustainable solutions

GIC is spin off from the World Economic Forum

Major chemical company members include BASF, SABIC, Clariant, Covestro, LyondellBasell, Mitsubishi, Syensqo, LG Chem

Automotive plastics recycling is a key focus

Fully decarbonised car would only add $900 to final price

On average decarbonising only adds 2-4% to final price of most goods

However decarbonization costs rise steeply up the value chain

GIC aims to grow geographically and along industrial value chains
ICIS journalist Will Beacham interviews Charlie Tan, CEO of the GIC and Lars Kissau, president of BASF’s Net Zero Accelerator.