ICIS Market Expert Blogs

Read our chemical and energy experts’ latest assessment of the market

Asian Chemical Connections

John Richardson’s Asian Chemicals Connections looks at Asian and global commodity chemicals and polymer pricing trends, supply and demand, macroeconomics, energy and environmental issues.

As the new realities sink, petchems search for a new business model
23rd May 2025

DELEGATES at this year's Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference in Bangkok recognised the demand crisis resulting from demographics

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China’s Petrochemical Plans Clouded by Trade War, Demand Risks
6th May 2025

Confused? You should be, raising the need for deeper and wider scenario planning on China's petrochemicals self-sufficiency.

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Chaos, confusion and tariffs: New ways needed to analyse chemicals markets
10th April 2025

THE old "you lose I win" world of tariffs no longer applies

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US LLDPE exports, trade tensions and the $6.8bn dollar question
1st April 2025

US LLDPE exporters made big gains in January 2022 until January 2025 thanks to their cost advantages and China's lower import tariffs.

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Chemicals and the Economy

Guest blogger, Paul Hodges looks behind today's headlines and studies key influencers shaping the chemical industry over the next 12-18 months. He takes a closer look at oil prices, economic growth and the environment among other things, along with some light-hearted commentary along the way.

President Trump’s tariff war and planned tax cuts reawaken the ‘bond vigilantes’
18th May 2025

Republicans are racing to finish the draft budget by Memorial Day at the end of the month. Bond investors can be forgiven for getting nervous about wh

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Apple set for double hit from Trump’s tariff war
11th May 2025

China is Trump's main target. He has claimed that China will pay the extra cost. But US consumers know better. They rushed to buy in March before pric

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Sell in May, and go away?
4th May 2025

President Trump's Tariff War will soon lead to empty shelves at Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot and many other stores this month. The famous saying "Well

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Trump’s Tariff War risks empty US shelves at Walmart, Target, Home Depot
27th April 2025

Last week, the CEOs of 3 of the largest US retailers told Trump that "His tariff and trade policy could disrupt supply chains, raise prices and empty

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