Argus Media

Welcome to Episode 23 of the Methanol Market Puts-and-Takes podcast, part of the Chemical Conversations series.

In this episode, Senior Analyst Cassidy Staggers talks with Dave McCaskill, Argus VP of Methanol and Derivatives on:

Argus offers methanol prices, news, analysis, forecasts, and consulting. Get more information and request a free trial. 

In this episode, ElectraLith chief executive Charlie McGill explains how the company's electrochemical extraction and refining technology aims to eliminate water and chemical use during processing, while helping bring new lithium resources into production.

Key topics include:

As the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) begins to take effect, the industry faces significant questions around investment, scale-up, recycled content targets and mass balance accounting.

In this episode of Chemicals Conversations, Argus speaks with Valentijn De Neve, CEO of BlueAlp and President of Chemical Recycling Europe, about the role pyrolysis can play in helping Europe meet its circularity goals and what the industry needs to succeed before 2030.

Listen as they discuss:

Argus is proud to partner with the Chemical Recycling Europe Forum, taking place in Brussels on 29-30 September 2026. Join industry leaders, policymakers and recyclers to discuss the future of circular plastics, including a keynote appearance from Wolfgang Trunk, Team Leader for Plastics and Packaging at the European Commission's DG Environment. Argus Media's Will Collins will also be chairing a session exploring the upgrading challenge facing plastic recycling.

Register for the event and connect with the Argus team in Brussels.

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/getting-ready-for-2030-targets-powering-circular-plastics-made-in-europe-tickets-1985497741192

Overview

In this episode, Argus examines new US export controls on tungsten scrap and battery black mass, introduced as part of a broader effort to secure domestic critical mineral supply chains. Our experts discuss the immediate market impact, the implications for recyclers and processors, and whether similar measures could spread to other metals and regions.

Covered in this episode

Speakers

Overview

In this episode, Argus examines new US export controls on tungsten scrap and battery black mass, introduced as part of a broader effort to secure domestic critical mineral supply chains. Our experts discuss the immediate market impact, the implications for recyclers and processors, and whether similar measures could spread to other metals and regions.

Covered in this episode

Speakers

For decades, Europe's ethylene and propylene markets have relied on monthly contract settlements to establish pricing across the value chain. But changing market dynamics, greater discounting and a smaller pool of negotiators are prompting discussion about how pricing could evolve in the years ahead.

In this episode of the Chemical Conversations series, Alan Williamson, Argus Olefins Consultant, speaks with Alex Sands, Head of European Olefins Editorial, about the evolution of Europe's pricing system, the role of spot markets, and the factors driving conversations around new pricing benchmarks.

Tune in for insights on:

This episode is part of the Olefins Market Structure & Pricing podcast series, where Argus experts examine how ethylene and propylene markets operate across Asia, Europe and the US. The series explores the pricing mechanisms, commercial practices and market dynamics that underpin regional olefins trade, while highlighting how pricing approaches continue to evolve.

Hear Argus' hydrogen experts assess whether Europe can meet ReFuelEU Aviation targets and what this means for e-SAF growth.

Tune in for key insights on:

How the EU SAF project pipeline is developing — from announced plans to the few projects reaching FID.

Why meeting early-year targets looks increasingly difficult and the volumes required in real terms.

Positive signs for e-SAF: policy momentum, new funding commitments and EU ETS incentives supporting uptake.

The scale of the cost gap to conventional jet fuel, and which regions offer the lowest production costs.

The key cost drivers and what actions could narrow the gap — power prices, electrolyser costs and CO₂ sourcing.

This episode features data and analysis drawn from the Argus Hydrogen and Future Fuels service.

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The Polyethylene and Polypropylene markets across South and West Africa continue to evolve in response to shifting global trade flows, changing supplier strategies and regional demand dynamics.

In our latest podcast, Dila Odluyurt, Senior Reporter, Chemicals explore the key factors shaping these markets, including:

The impact of ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflict on supply chains and product availability

How suppliers have adjusted pricing strategies in response to changing market conditions

Seasonal demand patterns and purchasing trends across key African markets

Feedstock considerations and how market participants manage procurement and supply security

Emerging opportunities and challenges for buyers, traders and distributors

What market participants should watch in the months ahead

Saudi crude looks relatively cheap for a European buyer, after state-owned Saudi Aramco cut its official formula prices for European buyers by more than expected. This would benefit European refiners in September, who have been scrambling for medium sour crude since the start of the US-Iran war.

In this episode, Argus Crude deputy editor Lina Bulyk and Mediterranean crude reporter Ellanee Kruck discuss how the Mideast Gulf supply will shape Europe’s medium sour markets in September.

Key topics include:

How are ethylene and propylene prices established in one of the world's most influential olefins markets? As trade flows evolve and pricing mechanisms continue to develop, the US market offers valuable insight into how prices are discovered, referenced and negotiated across the olefins value chain.

In this episode, Craig Barry, Lead Olefins Consultant and Michael Camarda, Senior Editorial Lead for US Olefins, discuss the factors shaping ethylene and propylene pricing in the US and what sets the market apart from other major regions.

Listen to learn more about:

Why the US market has become a key reference point for global ethylene and propylene pricing.

How spot market activity has changed the way market participants assess value and negotiate contracts.

The differences between US ethylene and propylene markets, including the growing role of pricing indexes.

What expanding exports and changing market fundamentals could mean for olefins pricing in the years ahead.

 This episode is part of the Olefins Market Structure & Pricing podcast series, where Argus experts share insights into the pricing mechanisms and market dynamics shaping ethylene and propylene markets across Asia, Europe and the US. Bringing together perspectives from each major region, the series highlights why pricing practices differ across global olefins markets, how prices are established and referenced, and the market fundamentals that influence commercial pricing decisions.