PODCAST: Chemicals demand improving but recovery a long way off

BARCELONA (ICIS)–Although a post-lockdown rebound is boosting demand for chemicals, the industry is a long way from the pre-pandemic levels.

– Improving demand for chemicals, but weak
– Need to separate rebound from recovery
– Asia prices did rebound, but are under pressure over economic concerns
– Dangerous to assume rising oil prices indicate recovery
– Possibility of another oil price crash soon
– Future coal-to-chemicals expansions may not happen as based on high oil price assumptions
– Methanol-to-olefins and naphtha-based operators will be under more pressure
– No deal Brexit could see companies withdrawing from UK market

Listen to this podcast interview with Paul Hodges, chairman at consultancy International eChem, and ICIS Insight Editor Nigel Davis.

Podcast interview by Will Beacham 

ICIS publishes regular updates to help the industry through this time of crisis. Register here 

Read Paul Hodges’ ICIS Chemicals and the Economy blog

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