Smart Acids™

What industries are delivering upside in today's chemicals and ingredients market, and what's driving the future of distribution for 2023?

With more than 30 years' experience in the business, "Magic Man" Dan Matheny, VP of Product Management for Solvents, gives us the situation on crude oil and its direct derivatives. Brian "The Big Deal" Jurcak, Senior VP of Product Marketing Management, offers a recap of the NACD (National Association of Chemical Distributors) annual meeting, including his take on markets poised for growth, fundamental changes to the chemical industry in Europe, and the importance of blending specialty knowledge with reliable supply chain solutions.


Forward-Looking Statements

This podcast includes certain statements relating to future events and our intentions, beliefs, expectations, and predictions for the future, which are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations and assumptions. A detailed discussion of these factors and uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this podcast is not a guarantee of future events or results, and that actual events or results may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this recording. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "plan," "seek, "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Any forward-looking information presented herein is made only as of the date of this podcast, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

As Andy waxes poetic about the autumnal shifts of the season, Chris checks in on changes within the Surfactants market with Lidia Smorodina, "The Whispering Assassin" and senior product manager, specialties.

Listen now to our latest market report as we dig deeper into why surfactants are rising to become a dynamic mover and Lidia discusses integration and capacity expansion during this exciting time in the product cycle. Andy also checks in with Lidia about ethylene oxide (6:14), and “Jedi” Julie Carnes (7:40), global supplier director for beauty and personal care, joins the conversation to find out more about surfactant trends.

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

The Smart Acids are back for a special edition episode featuring the winners of the 2022 National You Be the Chemist Challenge (grades 5-8). Univar Solutions is a proud sponsor of the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF) annual STEM competition to inspire the next generation of chemistry leaders. Hear this year’s award-winning team, the Chemistry Enthusiasts, calling in from high school in Massachusetts to quiz Andy and Chris and find out if they are CEF champion caliber. 

*Special guests include our own STEM Ambassador Aileen Doyle followed by Aarushi Khatri, Aaryan Arora, Shakthi Saravanan, and Srinidhi Iyer, who rose to the top of 9,000 students to win the 2022 You Be The Chemist prize and scholarship.

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

Smart Acids want to know: How are demands and supplies trending on crude oil? "It's a question of how much supply is needed and how fast," says Billy "The Piano Man" Grohl who returns to give us a market update heading into the end of the year. Grohl is Product Director of Aromatic Hydrocarbons at Univar Solutions. 

From crude into fuels, hear how downstream product and price volatility is impacting chemical markets – and what you should do to plan ahead.

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

What are the biggest challenges that lie ahead for global industries becoming more sustainable?

The Smart Acids talk technical with leaders in environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance roles at Univar Solutions. Sustainability can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Here's how our guests describe what it means to chemical and ingredient businesses:

Kelly Gilroy, VP of sustainability and natural products (12:22): "Efficiency. Think people, planet, and profits. We've got to move from a take, make, and waste society to things like repair, reuse, and reintegrate. When you think about distribution, we're by nature a sustainable business – we take large quantities of materials and make them available to 100,000+ customers. My first big project is finding a way to take sustainability down to the product level."

Liam McCarroll, director of global sustainability (1:56): "It's not about greenwashing. Embedding sustainability into the business...and achieving that across the organization is a challenge. We already support customers in getting products and services on time, with great quality. We have to continue doing that and building sustainability into every part, from the beginning to the end of the customer experience."

🏆 Bonus game in this episode: Do you know your Liams? (2:54)


Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, director of product marketing, Essential Chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing, Solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

What’s the ripple effect of the revived U.S. superfund-related tax across the chemistries and industries we serve?

The Smart Acids get serious with experts from both the tax and commercial side to discuss the superfund tax's ripple effects to 2030 and for years to come. Hear how it impacts both domestic manufacturers and importers and why chemical distributors may be positioned differently than brokers to deal with the change.

Episode Guests: Brian "The Taxman" Ritzenhaler (2:15), VP Tax, and Katrina "The Warden" Warnick (9:22), Senior International Trade Manager, Univar Solutions

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

On the latest episode of the Smart Acids, hear Univar Solutions Chlor-Alkali VP Gary 'the czar' Gable (01:32) break down the Chlor-Alkali market, global trade dynamics and pricing trend predictions. Tom ‘TomKat’ Edman (11:05) dives into specifics around caustic soda, and what makes it unique in terms of scale, velocity and security of supply. Finally, ‘Smarty Maarty’ Maarten van Ess (15:30) shares more on caustic soda and its dependency on supply chain constraints.

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

“If you’re importing raw materials, don’t run your inventories low. Make sure you’re keeping some measure of inventory on hand and a buffer to guard against delays.” 

Listen as the Smart Acids learn more from International Trade Director Larry ‘Globetrotter’ Ogden (02:08) about Omicron in China and its impacts on the interconnected global supply chain for the chemical and ingredients market and beyond. Eric ‘The Hit Man’ Emery, product marketing manager, Phosphates, makes a special appearance (10:10) to review market breakdown across demand, supply and related costs—what end-use applications are impacted and how. Finally, David ‘The Forty-Year Old Retiree’ Boraks, senior product marketing manager, Surfactants, (14:00) sheds light on this market, applications served, why the market is growing and the rising importance of paying attention to your supply chain.

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

Smart Acids goes global and welcomes Rob 'Duke of Solvents' Lawton, business director in EMEA, to discuss the eastern European conflict's short and long-term impacts. Rick Roth, product director of Local Chemical Distribution - Solvents, reviews crude oil volatility and how industry is responding.

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

With ports, rails and the trucking network backed up, how are suppliers and distributors navigating the current state of transportation? Listen as Transportation VP Rob 'Rainmaker' McRae talks with the Smart Acids about this critical link in the supply chain. 

15:00: Calling all "legit" foodies: gain insights on food industry dynamics and trends from 'Distinguished Professor' Lavanya Venkateswar, food scientist and head of marketing and technical sales for food ingredients in North America, and 'Jumping' Joe Agocs, senior manager of supply management, at Univar Solutions.

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.