BARCELONA (ICIS)--EU leaders seem to recognize the need for action to reverse deindustrialization, but it risks being too little, too late for chemicals.EU chemicals regulation needs ambitious reform, not tinkering at the edgesChemical companies continue to close operations in Europe, partly driven by regulatory costsExpect a review of Reach regulation and “one substance one assessment” part of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability in 2026Sustainability reporting requirements are being watered downProposed changes to the EU Waste Framework Directive will impact chemical recycling sectorRisk of EU moving towards risk-based assessments, rather than hazardRestriction of lead in ammunition could stifle defence sectorMove away from international rule of law means new approaches neededIn this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Gerard McElwee and Peter Sellar from Squire Patton Boggs, ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.

LONDON (ICIS)--Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have seen a subdued level of activity in December amid ample supply across derivative markets and sluggish demand.For 2026, many remain sceptical surrounding the prospect of demand recovery tied in part to the potential of infrastructure spending and any resolution to ongoing geopolitical issues.Glycol ethers editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate editor Marion Boakye and acrylate esters editor Mathew Jolin-Beech about market conditions and expectations for the near future.

In the second of a two-part Sustainably Speaking podcast special, Helen McGeough, ICIS Global Analyst Team Lead for Plastics Recycling talks to long-standing veterans of the European recycling industry about the current state of the market and steps for the future.In Part 2, Helen is joined by Bernard Merkx who has an extensive background in the recycling industry and is the former President of Plastics Recyclers Europe, to take a look at the challenges still facing the recycling markets today, including:Risk of bankruptcies, high energy costs and price volatility to persist to 2027New recycling capacities focused on packaging at the expense of the automotive and construction sector despite upcoming recycled content targetsHow imports into the EU remain essential in the short-term Plus some calls to action for Europe’s recycling industry

With the prospect of global overcapacity easing from around 2030, Middle East petrochemical players are debating how to monetise their plentiful natural gas supplies. Middle East producers plan a major new capacity wave after 2030, Long‑term strategy centres on monetising hydrocarbons beyond 2030China’s overcapacity cycle may ease by around 2030, Debate about staying focused on simple, large‑volume commodity grades or moves into higher‑value or specialty polymersClimate‑driven demographic and economic pressures in the Global South could reshape demandChinese competition in high‑value chemicals is intensifyingMaintaining strong ties with China remains important todayMassive crude oil‑to‑chemicals (COTC) ambitions are being moderatedPartnerships and M&A are key tools for Middle East companies to secure technology, expand globally, and balance portfolios  In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS senior consultant John Richardson. Download a special issue of ICIS Chemical Business with full coverage of the recent Gulf Petrochemical Association (GPCA) event. 

In the first of a two-part Sustainably Speaking podcast special, Helen McGeough, ICIS Global Analyst Team Lead for Plastics Recycling talks to long-standing veterans of the European recycling industry about the current state of the market and steps for the future.In Part 1, Helen speaks to Dr Michael Scriba about the current downturn in Europe's recycling sector and discusses topics such as:What factors contribute towards the current prolonged industry downturnIndustry barries such as lack of approval for polyolefins for use in food contact applicationsLarge-scale adoption unlikely until 2030Lack of a robust European collection and sorting system for many recycled polymersKey actions needed such as interim targets from 2026 to bridge the gap to 2030 goals

Remarks by French president Emmanuel Macron suggest a tougher approach to protecting Europe as global chemicals move towards a 2028 bottom of cycle. -          Ethylene, propylene capacity additions to accelerate, peak in 2027 -          2028 bottom of the cycle, project delays could push this out to 2029-          2000-2028 almost 75% of global capacity additions for key building blocks have been in China -          Final investment decision (FID)-to-on spec production can be only 2.5 years in China, so risk of further projects adding to the problem -          China additions may slow from 2030 due to peak carbon goals-          Fight for survival for producers in Europe and Asia-          To balance markets around 24m tonnes of ethylene closures required – equivalent to demand of Europe, Former USSR and Africa -          26m tonnes of propylene closures required - equivalent to capacity of Europe, Former USSR and Africa-          Olefins demand at 30-year low in Europe, to 1990s levels, and will not revive-          Signs of a more protectionist approach by Europe to save industrial base-          Producers in China are also suffering from overcapacity, losing money-          China exported more chemicals than the US or Middle East in Q2 2025-          Trinseo closure, INEOS Quattro ratings downgrade spell more bad news 

Asian spot prices for butadiene (BD) are rebounding, after a prolonged period of declines, as supply tightens on various unplanned grounds, but the supply losses may be minimised if China exports rise.  Join ICIS Asian BD editors Elaine Zhang and Ai Teng Lim, as well as Senior Analyst Ann Sun, as they discuss current Asian BD market developments and a near term outlook.  

Since the US Liberation Day, chemical prices and margins have plummeted, while tariffs are also accelerating the end of existing globalised business models of trade. -          Tariffs are altering decades of globalized trade patterns, pushing economies toward protectionism-          Chemical prices and volumes have plummeted since Liberation Day on 2 April-          Export-oriented business models under threat, particularly for US chemical companies-          Average US tariffs surged from 2.4% to 28% before settling around 16.8%, the highest since 1935 during the Great Depression-          Future strategy must focus on regional supply chains and production capabilities, reducing reliance on global exports-          Rising geopolitical tensions and NATO uncertainties mean chemicals for defence could become a major growth area-          Localized production will drive demand for recycling, acceptance of mass balance approach needed-          Grupa Azoty Polyolefins bankruptcy shows vulnerability of European chemical projects in an oversupplied global market -          Regionalization trend already accelerating companies like BASF touting local capacity as a competitive advantage amid tariff uncertainty-          Expect consolidation into fewer, larger producers in Europe, while smaller players may shut down or transition to specialties/low carbon production

China has a huge impact on the global chemical industry in terms of supply and demand so analysis of future demographic and economic trends is important for business leaders. -          Huge variation in forecasts for changes in population-          Chemicals demand growth scenario planning is vital-          Must take into account China’s success in technology and exports-          Demand boost if export earnings are funnelled back into pension and healthcare reforms-          ICIS base case 2025-2050 sees 2% polyolefins demand growth per annum, down from  10% between 1992 and 2024-          More container traffic may return to the Suez Canal if ceasefire holds

LONDON (ICIS)--Europe’s oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets remain structurally weak, as participants keep inventories lean or actively destock, further reducing spot market activity.Market participants are now prioritizing inventory management and 2026 contract talks, with fundamentals expected to remain largely unchanged through year-end.Oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate reporter, Marion Boakye,  joins acrylate esters editor, Mathew Jolin-Beech, and glycol ethers editor, Cameron Birch, to discuss current conditions along the oxo-alcohols value chain.

The decision by ExxonMobil to close its ethane cracker in Scotland shows there is a need for faster action by lawmakers across Europe and more innovative thinking to safeguard the region’s chemical industry.   -          ExxonMobil to close its 830,000 tonnes/year, ethane-fed Fife Ethylene Plant -          Questions over availability of North Sea ethane to feed the plant-          Around $1 billion investment reportedly needed to revamp plant-          Rising defence spending offers opportunities-          Chemicals can switch to more technical and service-based products-          INEOS preparing anti-dumping duties cases to protect its business-          Europe must fight for its innovation advantage, other regions getting stronger-          Aging population in Europe is a drag on demand

Europe butadiene (BD) editor Melissa Hurley discusses the current market conditions and challenges facing the global market with editors Ai Teng Lim, Stephanie Cervantes and BD analyst Gawaine Preston.BD Asia prices hit two-year lows in November due to heavy deep-sea imports from Europe, US, and South America.NE Asia received 250,000 tonnes of deep-sea cargoes in first three quarters of 2025 (up 100,000 tonnes versus 2024).Local production in China impacted by maintenance; BR futures may influence BD pricing sentimentEuropean export prices to Asia dropped sharply, indications below naphtha costJanuary-July 2025 European BD exports to Asia four times larger than 2024 volumesLocal European demand underperforming; suppliers extracting less BDCrude C4 (CC4) length persists despite low cracker ratesLonger term CC4 availability in Europe diminished due to cracker closuresDomestic US market steady to long; tire imports from Asia hurt US tire manufacturing.US BD production stable; supply long; prices near breakeven resulting in suppliers considering or undergoing co-cracking activitiesMinor Q1 turnaround in 2026 running concurrently alongside major cracker turnaround could keep supply and demand fundamentals balancedAdditional reporting from Industry Analysts Elaine Zhang and Ann Sun. 

As the year draws to a close, weak underlying demand persists in the European acetone, phenol and derivatives chain in a fragile macro climate, compounded by year-end inventory and working capital considerations. Other headwinds include global overcapacity led by Asia and profitability struggles in Europe in the face of high costs which have led to rationalisation plans in Europe in the chain and broader industry.Heidi Finch senior editor covering the European BPA and epoxy resins markets is joined by: Jane Gibson covering the acetone and phenol markets, Mat Jolin-Beech covering MMA,  Sam Lovatt covering PC and VIP guest Michele Bossi - analyst for the chain. 

Chemical markets across Asia are seeing more trade flows from low cost producers such as China and the US as competition grows amid rising overcapacity.-          Asia downstream markets not expected to recover until 2027/8-          Low cost producers such as US, China, competing for market share-          US tariffs, sanctions disrupting regional chemical markets-          Moves in China, South Korea, Japan to close uncompetitive plants may help rebalance markets-          China producers are exporting to other regions, such as Latin America-          New China acetic acid plants add 10% to capacity in 2025-          Downstream demand growth not keeping pace-          Since the podcast was recorded on 3 November, a major plant has shut, driving up demand for imports into India, potentially widening arbitrage for Atlantic spot trades  -          In China, retirement of older acetic acid plants unlikely to offset capacity addition in near future 

Senior Editor Vicky Ellis is joined by colleagues Senior Editor Ben Lake and Markets Editor Anne-Sophie Briant-Vaghela to discuss the a generally weak October polymer market.  They also discuss the outlook for November, in what has been a disappointing year for many in the polymer business. 

Senior Editor Vicky Ellis is joined by colleagues Senior Editor Ben Lake and Markets Editor Anne-Sophie Briant-Vaghela to discuss the a generally weak October polymer market.  They also discuss the outlook for November, in what has been a disappointing year for many in the polymer business. 

With low-carbon fuels facing multiple challenges including poor demand, feedstock constraints and policy uncertainty, catalysts can help solve technology roadblocks in this emerging global market.Biofuels face competition from electrification and hydrogenFeedstock shortages hinder scale-up of biofuelsShell and BP cancel major biorefinery projects in Rotterdam, NetherlandsSustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) costs up to five times more than jet keroseneRegulatory mandates not rising quickly enough to stimulate demandCatalyst innovation boosts e-fuels efficiency, reduces energy useIndustry needs incentives, clarity and global cooperationIn this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham and ICIS biofuels editor Nazif Nazmul interview Andreas Bachmeier, head of business development & energy transition at Clariant.

HOUSTON (ICIS) -- US ethylene glycol (EG) and ethylene oxide (EO) markets reporter, Melissa Wheeler is joined by Vice President of North America polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polyester chain, and Senior Data Analyst for US EO acrylonitrile and PX, Monica Losey, to discuss operating rates on the US EO and EG markets for the remainder of the year and potential factors contributing to reducing or increasing rates into the new year.·         US EG continues to be hampered by weak PET demand·         EO derivative production outside of EG to continue to trend upward into 2026·         No expected turnarounds, planned outages for remainder of 2025

LONDON (ICIS)-- European oxo alcohols and derivatives markets remained largely unaffected by recent port strikes and maintenance shutdowns, with supply chains holding steady throughout October.Demand, however, continues to be weak due to macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures, keeping spot interest low. Glycol ethers and acrylate esters also saw minimal disruption, with stable pricing and subdued sentiment.As 2026 contract talks begin, many buyers are considering shifting from long-term agreements to spot purchases, reflecting ongoing uncertainty and cautious market outlooks.Acrylate esters editor, Mathew Jolin-Beech, is joined by oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate reporter, Marion Boakye, and glycol ethers editor, Cameron Birch, to discuss current conditions along the oxo-alcohols value chain.

Carolina Perujo Holland, ICIS analyst for R-PET and Caroline Murray, senior editor for virgin PET spoke to GSI Plastics CEO and founder Francesco Zanchi and general manager, Chiara Zanchi about the state of the markets and where they are headed in 2026