Escalating frictions in the Red Sea have prompted serious concerns over supply and trade flows in the polyethylene and polypropylene markets.As a result, there’s – rather unexpectedly - plenty to discuss in the first European PE and PP podcast of 2024.PE & PP editors for Europe and Africa, Ben Lake and Vicky Ellis are joined by Middle East editor, Nadim Salamoun for a run-down on how the various markets of Gulf Coast, South Asia, Europe, Africa and Turkey are reacting to the Red Sea shipping attacks.They also discuss turnaround seasons, rising freight costs and some European buyers’ sluggish reaction to wider logistics issues. 

Episode 1110: Europe, Middle East PE/PP markets react to Red Sea in January

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The choppy economic backdrop, unprecedented growth of global polyolefins capacity, and how Europe can pivot under pressure from chunky legislation, were huge themes at the 10th ICIS World Polyolefins conference.Fresh from the stage, ICIS experts dig into the biggest themes that cropped up for delegates including converters, brands and producers in Vienna.In this podcast, PE and PP senior editor Vicky Ellis is joined by fellow senior editor Ben Monroe-Lake, senior analysts Emiliano Basualto, Lorenzo Meazza and Egor Dementev, and polyolefins consultant John Richardson.

Episode 1164: Caution, closures, mismatched demand and recycling - big themes from World Polyolefins 2024

LONDON (ICIS)--In April, for European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets the focus has remained on supply-side changes to drive market sentiment and prices. This is largely expected to continue for the remainder of the quarter.Across markets, underlying demand continues to struggle amid the muted downstream environment in a variety of end user segments. Anticipated supply improvements for the rest of the quarter remain closely monitoredGlycol ethers report editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols Editor Nicole Simpson, acrylate esters Editor Mat Jolin-Beech and butyl acetate Editor Marion Boakye about the current conditions in these markets and expectations for the near future.

Episode 1163: PODCAST: European oxo-alcohols, derivatives markets attention remains on supply changes, demand still subdued

Recent cracker closure announcements in Europe and Japan may be the first of many as the industry grapples with chronic overcapacity driven by China and the Middle East. -          Three cracker closure announcements in Europe, Japan since late March-          1.4 million tonnes of ethylene capacity affected, but up to 20 million may be needed-          Europe, Japan, South Korea suffer from higher costs -          Negative chemicals demand growth possible in China-          China still dominates global chemical markets-          Opportunity to pivot sites to low carbon, local markets 

Episode 1162: Think Tank: Cracker closures could be first of a big wave as overcapacity grows

The urea market is expected to remain subdued as Chinese exports resume over the next few months and given Iranian producers eagerness to move product before any fresh sanctions are imposed. China exports to resume but challenges remainIran offers over 200,000 tonnes for MayIndia’s return unlikely before June In this podcast, ICIS senior editors Sylvia Traganida and Deepika Thapliyal discuss the globally supply and demand situation for urea and ammonia, and the future developments for both products.

Episode 1161: Chinese and Iranian supply to determine urea trend

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Persistent production constraints have driven Asia’s spot prices for butadiene (BD) to near two-year-high levels, but how the rally may go from here may hinge on downstream demand conditions.   Prolonged under-utilisation of regional crackers dented regional BD output Exports from China helped to plug some of these supply gaps Mixed views about downstream demand outlook In this podcast, ICIS editors Ai Teng Lim and Aviva Zhang discuss how regional supply and demand balance has evolved across different Asian outlets and how this may pan out from here for the near future.  

Episode 1110: Europe, Middle East PE/PP markets react to Red Sea in January

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