PODCAST: Biden ushers in global era of low carbon for chemicals

BARCELONA (ICIS)–The new US administration’s commitment to the green agenda will help stimulate a new era of low carbon technology and markets for the global chemical industry.

• US now joins China and Europe in big push on climate change agenda
• Carbon taxes and recycling agenda will transform chemical industry
• US will show renewed global leadership
• Demand for virgin polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) will fall as recycling takes off
• INEOS should therefore scrap its Antwerp ethane cracker project as well as the propylene dehydrogenation (PDH)
• Global supply chains could grind to a halt if China is forced into a new wave of lockdowns
• UK now suffering from post-Brexit end to frictionless trade

Interview with John Richardson, ICIS senior consultant for Asia and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.

Editor’s note: This podcast is an opinion piece. The views expressed are those of the presenter and interviewees, and do not necessarily represent those of ICIS.

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Read the latest issue of ICIS Chemical Business.

Read Paul Hodges ICIS Chemicals and the Economy blog.

Read John Richardson’s Asia Chemical Connections blog.

Interview by Will Beacham