The plasticizers market is globalized with Europe dependant on imports of dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) from northeast Asia, Turkey and the US. However, global trade flows are shifting as US DOTP dumping investigations are progressing into the final stages and Trump’s election is bolstering US trade protectionism

Europe plasticizers editor Nicole Simpson speaks to US editor Daniel Lopes about the future of the plasticizers market against a backdrop of falling US feedstock costs, growing US protectionism and economic challenges.

Two liquids-to-chemicals project announcements by Saudi Aramco highlight a new source of rapid capacity growth which will add to global overcapacity.

- Middle East oil and gas companies want to push liquids-to-chemicals as demand for transport fuels declines

- Aramco aims to convert around 4 million bbl/day of crude oil into chemicals by 2030 versus about 1 million barrels/day currently

- Demand growth will not be sufficient to meet rising supply

- More closures will be needed to balance the market

LONDON (ICIS)--November’s polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) prices have eased in the face of dispiriting demand and as maintenance season comes to a close in Europe.

ICIS senior editors Vicky Ellis and Ben Lake weigh up what's behind the November trends, how forex and logistics might be affecting the markets, and what’s coming for December.

They also discuss ICIS coverage of European PE, PP players adapting value propositions in the face of an evolving market, and Think Tank’s podcast episode: Trump trade war will drive end of globalisation for chemicals.

Editing by Will Beacham

Europe adipic acid and downstream nylon 6,6 markets face bleak prospects for demand in December, followed by a broadly flat outlook in 2025, with overall weak consumption from key derivative markets. Over the past few months, very slow demand and ample supply has continued to dominate European markets alongside rising costs of production.

In this latest podcast, ICIS editors Meeta Ramnani and Marta Fern share the latest developments and expectations for what lies ahead.

• Seasonal destocking to weaken buying interest further in December
• Demand could stay low in 2025; recovery depends on macroeconomic factors
• Q1 2025 could bring restocking; its magnitude unclear
• Asian adipic acid import volumes likely to increase in Q1

European chemical producers may have to keep paying high energy prices as geopolitical instability impacts sentiment more than the fundamentals of supply and demand.

- Europe spot electricity prices up 76% this year, ICIS TTF gas price up 40%

- Fear drives markets more than fundamentals which remain bearish

- Demand is reduced compared to five-year average, supply plentiful

- Above average temperatures forecast into December in Europe

- Gas storage around 90%, well above 5-year average

- New sources of US, Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) due onstream in 2025

- Renewable energy will ramp up quickly in Europe

- Donald Trump may increase LNG supply by unfreezing projects

Donald Trump’s proposed tariff hikes on major trading partners could spark a trade war which will drive the end of a globalised chemicals economy plus more local and circular supply chains.

- US-China trade war would drag on economic growth

- World may return to more national and intra-regional trade

- Trump could help drive the end of deglobalization

- Development of more local, circular chemical supply chains

- Chemicals Q3 financial results show some volume growth

- But industry still in the bottom of a trough

- Lack of growth from automotive, construction

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Southeast Asia's propylene market faces significant challenges in 2025, with additional supply expected and freight rates continuing to impact downstream demand.

In this latest podcast, ICIS senior editor Julia Tan speaks with senior analyst Shariene Goh to share the latest developments and expectations for what lies ahead next year.

• High freight rates likely to remain key challenge to PP exports, which could weigh on propylene demand
• Southeast Asia to take price direction from northeast Asia
• Net deficit for Indonesia despite Indonesia's LINE project

European Senior Editor for Recycling, Mark Victory, and Helen McGeough, Global Analyst Team Lead for Plastic Recycling at ICIS join Senior Editor for Recycling Matt Tudball to discuss their highlights from the recent 3rd ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference that was held in Berlin on 7th November.

Topics covered ranged from ICIS' own outlook for the recycled markets, panel discussions on collection systems and the ever-popular chemical recycling sector, plus electrical and electronic waste and EU regulation 2022/1616 around food contact.

Some of the key takeaways included:

• Unexpected positivity despite challenging market environment
• The need for strong collaboration through the recycling chain
• Regulatory uncertain still a core challenge for the recycling market