Industry headlines are driving strategic shifts in the chemical sector, and Victoria Meyer gives her candid perspective on what these major moves really mean for industry leaders and decision makers. This episode puts a spotlight on recent deals and boardroom decisions involving Shell, Olin, Huntsman, Solstice Advanced Materials, and H.B. Fuller. 

From Shell’s planned chemical asset sale to the Olin-Huntsman merger of equals, Victoria unpacks key questions: Is this a broader trend or company-specific? How does M&A activity impact value chains, partner relationships, and competitive dynamics? What does it signal about the future shape of the chemical industry? 

Victoria discusses: 

• Shell’s $8B US chemical asset sale and why Exxon, LyondellBasell, and investors are circling. 
• H.B. Fuller’s board rejecting a proposal from activist investor Ancora and why value creation looks different from the inside versus the outside. 
• Why Solstice and Element Solutions called off a $14.5B merger, insight into what “better alone than together” means in practice. 
• The Olin and Huntsman “merger of equals” and what’s behind their conviction that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. 
• Broader market trends: Portfolio reshaping, supply chain considerations in deal-making, and what leaders must do to position their companies for future advantage. 

Article Links: 

• Solstice, Element terminate $14.5 billion merger deal after shareholder feedback 
• H.B. Fuller Board Unanimously Rejects Unsolicited Proposal from Ancora 
• Shell draws Exxon interest in $8bn US chemical assets sale 
• OLIN and HUNTSMAN Shareholders Approve Transformative Merger of Equals 

Chief Economist Martha Moore of the American Chemistry Council joins Victoria Meyer to unpack the latest economic realities and policy challenges shaping the chemical industry. Martha shares insight from ACC’s member surveys, discusses key drivers behind current market trends, and covers what’s keeping executives awake at night—from rising raw material costs to global trade uncertainty. 

This episode also covers the strategic importance of US manufacturing, the impact of legislation like TSCA, and how the industry is positioning for growth and innovation amid a shifting global landscape. Martha offers data-driven perspectives relevant to leaders needing to navigate volatility, build resilience, and influence both policy and boardrooms. 

Victoria and Martha discuss the following: 

• Martha’s path from a STEM-focused upbringing to Chief Economist at ACC. 
• The three pillars driving chemical demand: consumer spending, business investment, and exports. 
• The sharp rise in raw materials and logistics costs for chemical manufacturers. 
• What ACC’s members and sentiment surveys reveal about today’s top business challenges. 
• The effect of international trade policy, tariffs, and China’s rising influence on the industry. 
• Why innovation and reshoring US manufacturing are vital for future growth. 
• Leadership lessons for executives: focus on agility, long-term strategy, and building resilience. 

Other Links: 

The Chemical Summit 

This episode of The Chemical Show features Farid Tahvildari, Managing Director of NUCO Logistics. Returning to the podcast, Farid provides a straightforward analysis of the ongoing Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea crises and their far-reaching impacts on global shipping, freight costs, and chemical supply chains. He explains how even those not directly trading through these regions are affected by disruptions in marine traffic, rising insurance costs, and energy price volatility. 

Victoria and Farid examine how the industry has adapted to persistent instability, from the emergence of new shipping routes around Africa due to Suez Canal constraints to the critical importance of redundancy in logistics planning. Farid provides practical advice for shippers, highlighting that planning, communication, and strong provider relationships are now the cornerstones of resilient supply chains. 

Key topics discussed in this episode: 

• Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Why it matters for global shipping, chemicals, and energy—even for companies outside the Gulf region 
• Red Sea Disruptions: The Houthis’ impact on marine logistics, workarounds, and why confidence in shipping lanes is as vital as their physical openness 
• Adaptation in Action: How chemical and logistics companies have shifted to new routes, added shipping capacity, and developed operational flexibility 
• Inventory Management: Avoiding the pitfalls of single-lane dependence and leveraging lessons learned from the COVID container crisis 
• Small & Midsize Company Strategies: How those with less leverage can increase resilience 
• Early Warning Signs: Key indicators—including port omissions, insurance premiums, and carrier announcements—that signal rising risk 
• Long-Term Outlook: Why the industry is preparing for ongoing uncertainty and building a new normal rooted in flexibility 

Other Links: 

• Strait of Hormuz Crisis: How Oil and Chemicals Are Affected Worldwide with Farid Tahvildari (Episode 257) 
• Red Sea Shipping Issues and Resolutions with Farid Tahvildari of NUCO Logistics (Episode 152) 

Facing increasing demands, complex organizational shifts, and economic uncertainty, many leaders in the chemical industry are under more pressure than ever. In this episode of The Chemical Show, Victoria Meyer explores emerging patterns in executive and senior leadership she's noticed from her conversations with industry leaders, coaching, and real-world experience. 

Victoria explains the three key patterns she’s seeing in organizations today and shares a “leadership operating reset” framework with three practical pillars to relieve stress and refocus on what matters. You’ll hear how to shift from doing it all to enabling others, set clear boundaries, empower up-and-coming leaders, and reclaim time for strategic priorities—both for yourself and for your team. 

Join us this week to learn about: 

• New Organizational Realities: Why simplification often just means increased workload for proven leaders 
• Leadership Bottlenecks: The risk of becoming the go-to resolver and how it stifles organizational development 
• Dealing with Pressure: Balancing stakeholder demands at work and at home, and the importance of clear boundaries 
• Activity vs. Value: Recognizing when too much busyness is displacing your crucial leadership work 
• Leadership Operating Reset: Three pillars for relief—control the flow of demands, clarify decision processes, and align operating rhythms 
• Delegation and Decision Rights: How enabling others to act boosts effectiveness and relieves pressure 

Other links: 

• Talent Shifts Reshaping the Chemical Industry with Geoff Smith of Mercer (Ep. 274) 
• The Chemical Summit  
• 40 Under 40 in Chemicals 

Victoria Meyer breaks down second quarter 2026 earnings results from across the chemical industry, pulling out the trends, strategies, and market shifts that matter to business leaders. With Q2 numbers in and disruption still echoing from the ongoing war in Iran, many companies saw stronger results. 

Victoria cuts through the headlines to clarify what’s really happening beneath the surface: better results are mostly price-driven, not volume-led, signaling that supply disruptions and strategic positioning are behind the recent boost. She highlights the critical role of location, sustained portfolio reshaping, and why transformation efforts will continue as demand fundamentals hold steady. 

Key discussion areas this week: 

• Earnings Snapshots: How Dow’s rapid price increases and BASF’s portfolio moves helped deliver strong quarters. 
• War in Iran & Industry Impact: Concrete effects on supply chains, feedstock availability, and why regional advantages are more crucial than ever. 
• Geographical Advantage: How US-based and European manufacturers leveraged disruption, and why location remains a primary driver of competitive edge. 
• Portfolio Restructuring: Ongoing business reshaping at the executive level, including recent M&A and divestitures from BASF, Dow, IMCD, Brenntag, and Univar. 
• Value Migration: Shifts towards differentiated products and growth sectors such as electronics, healthcare, personal care, and data center support. 
• Leadership Discipline: What CEOs are saying (and not saying) about capital allocation, resilience, and sticking to fundamentals as Q3 and Q4 approach. 

Other links: 

Mid-Year Earnings Reset: Access the episode and workbook referenced by Victoria for practical strategic planning. 

In-Depth Analysis: Listen to the recent episode with John Richardson on supply-demand fundamentals and China’s impact. 

Navigating growth, leadership, and innovation in polyurethanes, Robert (Bob) Tauchen, VP of Polyurethanes at the Coim Group, joins Victoria Meyer for an expert look at how the industry is adapting to shifting markets and new technologies. Bob explains Coim’s global strategy as a family-owned Italian company investing deeply in the US, first in New Jersey, and now expanding to Texas to address the evolving needs of North American customers. 

Victoria and Bob discuss the realities of growth expectations post-COVID, why long-term vision is essential in the chemical industry, and how relationships, trust, and reliability drive success in the US market. They also explore how leadership styles are changing with new generations, the stressors facing today’s teams, and why building context and motivation is more important than ever.  

Key topics this week include: 

• Global Expansion: How Coim’s strategy balances investment, logistics, and customer proximity in the US 
• Industry Recovery: The impact of COVID-era growth spikes and how to reset realistic performance goals 
• US Market Dynamics: Why trust, reliability, and local presence matter more than price 
• Leadership Today: Managing across generations, keeping teams engaged, and adapting to new expectations 
• AI in Chemicals: Where AI brings value, why implementation is complex, and the need for thoughtful investment 

Other links: 

Polyurethanes Technical Conference (CPI): Learn more and register for the upcoming event in Orlando here. 

On this episode of The Chemical Show, Geoff Smith, partner at Mercer, joins Victoria Meyer to unpack what’s really changing in the chemical industry’s talent landscape. Drawing on Mercer’s recent Global Talent Trends Survey, Geoff explains why employee thriving is down, especially among managers, and what leaders can do to support and engage their people in a fast-changing, tech-enabled world. 

Victoria and Geoff discuss the impact of AI and rapid change on jobs, the shift toward flatter organizational structures, and how career progression is evolving. They offer actionable advice for leaders and professionals: communicate with authenticity, clarify career paths, and foster continual learning. The importance of context and judgment, alongside technology skills, gets special attention. 

Tune in for key takeaways: 

• Why employee thriving is dropping and what this means for managers 
• How AI and technology are changing, but not replacing, critical roles 
• The reality of career paths in a flatter organization 
• Leadership priorities: building skills, supporting managers, and clear communication 
• Practical guidance for professionals navigating the “messy middle” of their careers 

AI is fundamentally changing the game for maritime shipping and supply chain management, especially when global disruptions and unstructured data make traditional approaches less effective. Victoria Meyer sits down with Josh Luby, Director of Product Management at Veson Nautical, to discuss how artificial intelligence, through tools like Veson’s Co Captain, is helping companies move from reactive problem-solving to proactive decision-making. Josh sheds light on the complexity of chemical shipping, the challenges of harmonizing communications, and how Veson’s AI leverages decades of domain knowledge to tackle real-world business needs. 

Their conversation explores the impact of geopolitical shocks, the critical importance of data governance and trust in connected systems, and the measurable ROI chemical companies are already seeing from smarter, more predictive supply chain tools. Whether it's optimizing demurrage claims or enabling faster response to global disruptions, AI is unlocking new levels of reliability and strategic advantage across the industry. 

Key topics addressed this week: 

• The expanding role of AI in chemical and maritime shipping 
• Challenges and lessons learned from rolling out enterprise-scale AI 
• Reducing complexity in demurrage claims and supply chain communication 
• Applying technology during supply chain shocks 
• Strategies for governing data and building user trust with connected platforms 
• The shift from reactive to proactive decision-making across the shipping lifecycle 

Other links: 

•  Per Ostman - Episode 228

With the 2026 Chemical Summit on the horizon and Michael Lefenfeld set as the keynote speaker, this timely re-release spotlights his leadership at Hexion as the company moves beyond traditional chemicals into technology-enabled solutions. Victoria Meyer and Michael dig into the pressures facing the industry, from increasing customer demands and global competition to the need for digital transformation and resilient supply chains. 

Their conversation covers Hexion’s approach to innovation through AI-powered systems, the shift to customer partnerships, and talent strategies for a rapidly changing workforce. For business leaders anticipating the themes of the upcoming Chemical Summit, this episode offers practical insights on transformation and sustainable growth in today’s industry landscape. 

Join us to learn more about the following topics this week: 

• Fast-paced transformation in private equity environments 
• Hexion’s journey: legacy, rebranding, and global reach 
• Moving from commodity supplier to solutions provider 
• Using AI and digital tools to improve manufacturing and product quality 
• Addressing workforce shifts and talent needs in chemicals 
• Core leadership lessons: curiosity, collaboration, and diversity 

Other links: 

• Learn more about the 2026 Chemical Summit: https://www.thechemicalsummit.com 

Download the Executive Discussion Guide: https://www.thechemicalshow.com/midyear 

How do you reset your business and leadership strategy when the world refuses to stick to the plan? Victoria King Meyer brings a midyear perspective on the dramatic changes shaping the chemical industry in 2026, ranging from supply chain disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions to the accelerating implementation of AI and ongoing restructuring across global markets. 

Victoria shares a blueprint for turning uncertainty into opportunity as she breaks down three essential resets for both organizations and individual leaders. She highlights the importance of reassessing assumptions, reallocating resources, and building adaptability at every level. With actionable advice and a practical executive discussion guide, this episode offers chemical industry professionals a timely roadmap to recalibrate for a stronger second half of the year. 

Join us this week as Victoria Meyer covers: 

• The necessity of resetting your business plan when the world changes 
• How supply chain and geopolitical risks have shifted industry priorities 
• Moving AI and digital tools from experimentation to value creation 
• Three conversations every leadership team needs to have this summer 
• Building adaptability and removing organizational friction 
• The role of leadership attention, impact, and redefining success in tough times 
• Actionable steps for setting a new personal and professional scorecard for 2026 

• (00:00) - Intro

Other links: 

• Download the Executive Discussion Guide: https://www.thechemicalshow.com/midyear 
• Listen to executive perspectives from S&P Global and Chemical Market Analytics (Episode 250)