Europe’s chemical industry will become increasingly exposed to competition from China, the Middle East and the rest of Asia if more shippers return to the Suez Canal.

Note – this podcast was recorded on 7 July, 2026

In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS senior consultant John Richardson and ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown.

LONDON (ICIS)-- Butadiene (BD) prices have tumbled globally from highs after a volatile second quarter, as markets continue to adjust to the fallout from the US-Iran conflict

In this episode, ICIS Europe BD editor Melissa Hurley discusses the latest market developments and outlook with Ai Teng Lim (Asia), Elaine Zhang (China), and senior BD analysts Gawaine Preston (Europe) and Ann Sun (Asia).

Focus podcast by Ai Teng Lim, Elaine Zhang, Gawaine Preston, Ann Sun and Melissa Hurley. Additional reporting by Preeti Sriram.

Running a chemical distribution company in a conflict zone such as Lebanon requires determination and agility to keep the business running while ensuring the safety of employees. 

-          High levels of stress but a resolve to adapt to conflict conditions 

-          Very difficult operating environment with displaced population

-          Maintaining stock levels is a key challenge

-          Hazardous material moved to a warehouse out of Beirut and away from other high-risk zones 

-          Back-up office created to allow work to continue during times of high conflict

-          Less transport by sea through port of Beirut and more via land crossings to Syria

-          Impossible to get insurance coverage for logistics in conflict zones

-          Shift of commercial terms to cash in advance before delivery

-          Banking system has become very primitive

In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Dany Njeim, CEO of RN Chemicals, based in Lebanon and Italy and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting. 

LONDON (ICIS)--A turbulent Q2 saw the phenol and acetone value chain rocked by geopolitical disruption, cost inflation and shifting supply-demand dynamics, with prices surging before easing as markets rebalanced.

In this Q2 episode of the Acetone and Derivatives podcast, ICIS experts unpack the key drivers across phenol, acetone, BPA, epoxy and polycarbonate, and explore a cautious, uncertain outlook for Q3 amid weak demand, ample supply and ongoing global volatility.

MMA markets editor Mathew Jolin-Beech is joined by Acetone and phenol editor Jane Gibson, Heidi Finch senior editor for the European BPA and epoxy resins, Sam Lovatt on PC, and Michele Bossi - analyst for the chain.

From March to May, China has exported record amounts of chemicals despite falling production as companies work through huge inventories built up over the past few years.

In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS senior polyolefins analyst James Wilson and ICIS senior consultant John Richardson.

LONDON (ICIS)--Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets continue to digest geopolitical developments regarding shifting dynamics in the Persian Gulf and the price correction lower across many feedstock markets of late. Uncertainty remains high but bearish price sentiment has been growing as availability concerns fade and demand expectations into the summer months remain relatively subdued. End users continue to exhibit caution regarding purchasing trends under the belief that prices may ease further into Q3 and beyond.

Glycol ethers editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate editor Marion Boakye, acrylate esters editor Mathew Jolin-Beech and oxo alcohols analyst Gawaine Preston about current market conditions and expectations for the near future.

Rising imports from China were a central theme highlighted by multiple market players on the side-lines of the annual EUROPUR and EURO-MOULDERS conference, held in Antwerp, Belgium, on 10–11 June 2026.

In this episode, European markets editor Zubair Adam for polyols who had attended the event, discusses with Isaac Tan his Asian counterpart, key developments on the China to Europe trade lane.

As the global chemical industry moves towards a more regional business model, Velogy – the new company carved out of former LyondellBasell assets – will be able to serve European customers from within Europe.

In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Richard Roudeix, CEO of Velogy and Robert Roiger, Chief Transformation Officer at Velogy and Chief Operating Officer at AEQUITA.

BARCELONA (ICIS)--European chemical distributors are flexing their business models to ensure that supply chains still operate effectively despite the Middle East war.

In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Dorothee Arns, director general of the European Association of Chemical Distributors (Fecc) and  Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.

Click here to register for the 19 June joint Fecc/ICIS CEO round tables mentioned during the podcast. 

Recycling editor Sam Lovatt speaks to Nextek CEO Ed Kosior about the company's new European food grade recycled polyolefin technology, the recycling market in general, 2030 deadlines and everything in between.