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.

Episode 1153: April gear change eyed for Europe PE, PP ahead of ICIS World Polyolefins Conference in Vienna

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LONDON (ICIS)—Synthetic fuels, also known as e-fuels, are derived from renewable electricity, air and water. The power-to-liquid process entails chemical conversion of energy. In this latest podcast, markets editor Nazif Nazmul interviews Paddy Lowe, CEO and founder of the synthetic fuels producing company Zero Petroleum. Synthetic fuels can play a vital role in slashing emissions across the transport sector in the coming years, although the road to scaling up is fraught with obstacles and opportunities. Energy density of synthetic fuels and compatibility with international combustion engine (ICE) vehicles could provide a long-term decarbonisation alternative to electric vehicles (EVs) and biofuelsRail, marine, aviation, agricultural sectors can utilise synthetic fuels alongside road transport Synthetic fuels gaining traction in the aviation industry in the form of e-SAFAchieving cost parity with fossil-based gasoline will still take approximately 10 more yearsLegislative support likely to expedite time needed to achieve economies of scale  Production process reliant on sourcing vast amount of renewable energy 

Episode 1174: PODCAST: Synthetic fuels poised to lead decarbonisation of transport sector - Zero Petroleum CEO Paddy Lowe

Europe’s chemical industry stands to benefit in the long-term from the expansion of wind, solar and other low carbon methods of producing energy.- Growth in renewables means spot electricity prices can turn negative if demand dips- Europe electricity prices higher than pre-war as tied to price of natural gas, now mainly LNG-  Europe has seen significant growth in solar, while wind faces delays due to supply chain issues- Decarbonizing includes reducing emissions from gas plants via carbon capture and storage (CCS) and other technologies- Challenges include grid infrastructure to transport electricity across regions with varying renewable generation- Despite regulatory hurdles, there is political will for grid investment as part of the energy transition

Episode 1173: Think Tank: Decarbonized power sector offers opportunities for Europe chemicals resurgence

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Asia's polyvinyl chloride (PVC) markets are expected to see some uncertainty in the coming months, with factors like China’s domestic demand, the impact of India’s monsoon and some trade policy changes expected to shape the landscape.June offers from Asian producers awaited next weekSE Asian economies see healthy growth in Q1, expected to support PVC demandLow domestic demand in China encourages exports, especially to IndiaIn this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Jonathan Chou, Damini Dabholkar and analyst Lina Xu discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia.

Episode 1172: PODCAST: APIC '24: Asia PVC shaped by ample supply, impending policy changes in India

SHANGHAI (ICIS)—Asia’s 1,4-butanediol (BDO) market continues to be pressured by oversupply amid slowing demand.With the first peak season in March to April ending, demand in some sectors has started to slow.In this chemical podcast, ICIS Markets Reporter Corey Chew reports from China on market expectations before Enmore’s 14th BDO and downstream derivatives forum.

Episode 1171: PODCAST: Asia BDO pressured by slowing demand in late-Q2, oversupply

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Asia's olefins brace for headwinds amid sustained weak demand in May, although some support is expected from curtailed supply in China. Lengthening supply from South Korea could continue to weigh on the market's outlook as it navigates upstream volatility amid tensions in the Middle East. Asia's olefins market to see increasing supply from South Korea in MayRelatively low PDH run rates could lend support to NE Asia C3 Poor demand weighing on Asia C2 amid multiple supply options for June arrivalsIn this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Julia Tan and Josh Quah discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia.

Episode 1153: April gear change eyed for Europe PE, PP ahead of ICIS World Polyolefins Conference in Vienna

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