ICIS Americas Podcast

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editors Tarun Raizada and Lane Kelley on US ethylene glycol and methanol (respectively) in regards to the upcoming winter season. As colder weather draws near, winter blends phase in for various products, such as antifreeze containing monoethylene glycol (MEG) for car engines, or windshield wiper fluid which utilises methanol.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Tarun Raizada on the US epoxy market. The US epoxy resin market has been balanced recently, with prices steady as compared to the fluctuating market from the beginning of the year.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Bill Bowen on the US polyvinyl chloride (PVC) market. US PVC export growth survived hurricane Florence and thus far is weathering the trade war between the US and China, but now stymied by currency headwinds as the US dollar outperforms foreign currencies.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets editor Lucas Hall on US aromatics, including the toluene and mixed xylenes (MX) markets. Discussions include the state of the market as summer driving season ends, the expected price drop as gasoline blends switch for the winter, as well as the outlook for aromatics amid the trade war between the US and China.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets editor Steven McGinn on expected strong demand in the US methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) market. Discussions include LyondellBasell's recent groundbreaking for its $2.4bn propylene oxide (PO)/tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) project in Channelview, Texas. The TBA will be converted to MTBE and ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE). MTBE was phased out of the US gasoline pool over a decade ago in favour of corn-based ethanol. However, international markets, such as Mexico, Latin America and China, remain a robust destination for the gasoline additive, and Lyondellbasell said it sees its high-octane fuels production as key to the growing market.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets editor Annalise Little and senior editor Mark Milam on the US fertilizers markets. Discussions include the bearish market during the Southwestern Fertilizer Conference recently held in San Antonio, Texas, as well as updates regarding US/China tariff effects on US farmers and the latest on the tight global market for Sulphur.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Ron Coifman on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) markets in Latin America. PVC prices rose in July, a result of trends from Asia.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets editor Steven McGinn and energy senior analyst James Fowler on Mexico's general elections, which will be held on 1 July. The vote for Mexico's new president is likely to have far reaching implications for the country, with the front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) having shown strong anti-energy reform criticisms. A win for AMLO could also have implications for trade between the US and Mexico, not only in regards to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) but also for fuel and natural gas imports as well.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor manager Bill Bowen, deputy news editor Al Greenwood and ICIS Chemical Business global editor Joseph Chang on the ongoing trade dispute between the US and China. Discussion includes the concerns from market participants with the 6 July date looming for the first batch of tariffs to come into effect. Talk also includes reactions on optimistic outlooks from market participants and company executives, despite threats to the industry stemming from proposed tariffs on dozens of petrochemical and oil products by both countries.

News Reporter David Haydon speaks with Steve Russell, vice president of the plastic division for the American Chemistry Council (ACC). Following the G7 meeting, where the US opted out of signing an annex for an ocean plastics reduction charter, the ACC stressed several of its sustainability and environmental goals. Russell also discusses the delayed retirement of ACC CEO Cal Dooley, who will aid in increasing the ACC's role in recycling and plastic waste elimination.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets reporter Steven McGinn on the US gasoline market. Gasoline prices are higher year on year at the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, creating a high-risk situation to consumers and the industry if another major hurricane were to hit the US Gulf Coast.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Ignacio Sotolongo on the US and global crude oil markets. Discussions include Brent hitting $80/bbl before retreating, strong global demand trends, the market's reaction to US President Donald Trump pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal, as well as OPEC's possible retreat from the 2017 agreement to curb oil output.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor John Dietrich on the US phenol and acetone markets. Discussions include how domestic phenol supply is tightening as producers look to increase volumes into the export market.

News writer David Haydon speaks to representatives from Lubrizol, Braskem USA and Shell on the sidelines of NPE2018 in Orlando, Florida. Speakers discussed interactive technology at their booths, as well as latest developments in products and various markets. 

News reporter David Haydon speaks with market editor Adam Yanelli on the methyl methacrylate market. Discussions include the markets high prices from global tightness, as well as the Saudi Methacrylates Company’s (SAMAC) MMA facility in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, which was shut early in the week due to unexpected utility issues.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Larry Terry on the US acrylates markets, which have recently entered their busy season following the end of winter. Supply, which has remained tight since Hurricane Harvey in 2017, is an ongoing concern in the markets, as is transportation availability.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets reporter Steven McGinn on the US ethanol market and recent announcements by President Donald Trump that support E15 blended gasoline sales year-round. Facing potential tariffs from China on US corn exports, farmers and biofuel producers are pushing for the new potential E15 policy, while refiners suggested that the US move from an ethanol-blending standard and bring in a minimum gasoline octane rating.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with fertilizers managing editor Julia Meehan and markets editor Mark Milam on the global fertilizers market, including the negative impact leftover winter weather is having on demand.

News reporter David Haydon speaks to markets reporter Amanda Hay about the US polyethylene terephalate (PET) market. Discussion includes the recently approved sale of Mossi & Ghisolfi’s (M&G) integrated polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/purified terephthalic acid (PTA) project in Corpus Christi, Texas to CC Polymers, as well as supply concerns in the tight market.

News reporter David Haydon speaks to senior editor Lane Kelley and deputy managing editor Zachary Moore about the upcoming American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) International Petrochemical Conference (IPC) to be held in San Antonio, Texas between March 25-27. Topics include potential effects of US President Donald Trump's recent tariff decisions, as well as recent price movements in several petrochemical markets.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets reporter Steven McGinn and senior editor Ignacio Sotolongo on the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturer's (AFPM) annual meeting, which was held in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 11-13. The annual meeting was full of renewed optimism for the industry's outlook, thanks to factors ranging from higher crude oil prices year on year, a more favourable regulatory situation with the new government administration and the rebound following 2017's hurricane season.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Lane Kelley on the US Butanediol (BDO) and acetic acid markets, where supply is tight amid force majeure declarations in the US Gulf Coast.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with fuels editor Steven McGinn on the Renewable Fuels Association's National Ethanol Conference, which concluded this week in San Antonio, Texas. Topics include the threat posed by electric vehicles, as well as upcoming legislation on the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS).

News writer David Haydon speaks with markets editor Annalise Little on the North American Sulphur markets. Discussion includes how the markets are on pause ahead of the Lunar New Year, as well as tight supply in the US and Canada.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with deputy managing editor Zachary Moore on the US benzene market. Discussion includes the market's backwardation from late October to mid-January as well as the recent shift where the futures price is above the expected spot price.

News writer David Haydon speaks to senor editor Tarun Raizada about the US epoxy market. Discussion includes the ongoing tight supply situation, high prices for imported material and high feedstock costs.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets editor Jessie Waldheim on the US olefins market, which includes the products ethylene and propylene. Discussion includes the lagging issues of September and October outages that Hurricane Harvey caused to olefins plants along the US Gulf Coast, as well as delays to ethylene and propylene projects.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Ignacio Sotolongo on the crude oil market. Discussions include OPEC's recent announcement that it will extend production cuts past March 2018, as well as the condition of US shale oil production.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets editor Steven McGinn on the US propane market. Discussion ranges from the last six months of price increases being driven by outlets such as exports and agriculture, as well as the current supply situation.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with deputy managing editor Zachary Moore on the US isocyanates and polyols markets. Discussion includes ongoing price increase initiatives in the markets, as well as ongoing isocyanate supply issues affecting both US and global markets.

News reporter David Haydon speaks to Latin America editor-in-chief George Martin and senior editor Ron Coifman on the annual meeting of the Latin American Petrochemical Association (APLA), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil between 12-14 November. Discussion includes highlights from the annual event, as well as APLA sentiment towards chemical production coming out of the US.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with deputy managing editor Zachary Moore, deputy news editor Al Greenwood and markets editor Amanda Hay on the ongoing US bankruptcy proceedings with subsidiaries of Italty-based Mossi & Ghisolfi (M&G). Discussion includes the planned sale of M&G's polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/purified terephthalic acid (PTA) plant in Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as the effect the situation is having abroad.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets editor Annalise Little on the North American sulphur market. High demand and low supply have led to high prices at levels not seen in several years. Discussions include production issues in California, as well as new operations coming online in Canada.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Mark Milam on the US ammonia market. Topics of discussion range from the higher trend in global pricing, the progress on the US corn harvest and the recent elevation in urea prices.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor John Dietrich on government regulations for the chemical industry. Discussions include President Donald Trump's administration, current policies and potential changes, as well as environmental deregulation.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with deputy managing director Zachary Moore and deputy news editor Al Greenwood on the 60th annual Polyurethanes Technical Conference held by the Center for Polyurethanes Industry in New Orleans, Louisiana. Discussions range from Chemours winning the 2017 Polyurethane Innovation Award, to the current status of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's)Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) programme.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Ron Coifman on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) market in Latin America. Discussion ranges from the tight supply of PET and precursors following Hurricane Harvey, as well as issues in Mexico's and Brazil's Mossi & Ghisolfi (M&G) plants.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with deputy news editor Al Greenwood and deputy managing editor Zachary Moore on the recent US Gulf Coast Industry forum held in Pasadena, Texas. Discussion ranges from the state of the industry almost one month after Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast, to the political discussions held during the two-day event.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor David Love on the US styrene market. Discussion includes price increases due to tight supply even prior to the arrival of Hurricane Harvey in August, as well as the recent force majeure declared by LyondellBasell on styrene from its Channelview plant in Texas.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor manager Judith Taylor on the US base oils market. Discussion ranges from logistical challenges for base oil producers two weeks into the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, to the continuing restarts for refineries along the US Gulf Coast.

News reporter David Haydon speaks to deputy managing editor Zachary Moore on the state of plants and refineries along the Texas coast following Hurricane Harvey, including refinery and plant shutdowns, companies declaring force majeure and the ongoing survey of damage.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with deputy managing editor Zachary Moore and deputy news editor Al Greenwood on the ongoing situation with Hurricane Harvey, which is expected to make landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas by Friday night to early Saturday. Discussion includes the proactive steps being taken by companies along the US Gulf Coast, as well as possible short and long term effects from the hurricane.

News Reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Ron Coifman on the Latin American polyethylene terephthalate (PET) market. Discussion includes PET business in Mexico, as well as projections on future demand.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Ignacio Sotolongo on the crude oil market. Discussions include the market’s positive reaction towards drawdowns in US crude oil inventories, as well domestic refinery run rates.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor manager Bill Bowen on the US poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC) market. Discussion ranges from continuing growth in domestic demand from construction activity, resulting in an almost 6% reduction in export volumes from the US and Canada.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with market editor Annalise little on activity in the North American sulphur market. Discussions include exports to Brazil and China, as well as firming prices due to strength in Asian markets.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Ignacio Sotolongo on the crude oil market. Discussions include the market’s reaction towards OPEC’s ongoing efforts to curb oil supplies, and takeaways from the latest batch of reports coming out of the International Energy Agency as well as the Energy Information Administration.

News writer David Haydon speaks to senior editor John Dietrich on the US phenol and acetone markets. Discussion includes the high volumes of phenol exports from the US continuing to Asia, which may result in imports of co-product acetone from Asia.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Judith Taylor on the Americas base oils market. Discussion includes the tight availability for US Group III base oil, takeaways from the recent 7th Meet the Market South America conference on base oils and lubricants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the effects from the unplanned outage at Shell’s Pearl gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant in Qatar.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets editor Annalise Little on the US sulphuric acid market. Discussion ranges from high demand for the product in Chile to tight global and North America supply, as well as an atypical export cargo from the US Gulf.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with deputy news editor Al Greenwood on the recent announcements made by INEOS regarding construction of a propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit in Europe, as well as several cracker expansions. Discussion includes how increased US oil production is providing confidence for the supply of natural gas liquids (NGLs) as feedstocks to European and US plants.