PODCAST: As panic buying subsides, where next for chemicals?

BARCELONA (ICIS)–As supply improves in Asia and the US and panic buying eases in some European markets, new ideas are needed to ensure supply chains will be more robust in the future.

• Change of sentiment in downstream markets as supply eases
• Panic buying phase may be drawing to a close
• China economy and chemicals demand growth slow
• Southeast Asian demand falters, especially India
• China polyolefins prices falls four weeks in a row
• Container crisis, semiconductor shortages hurt China exports
• China’s self-sufficiency in high density polyethylene (HDPE), styrene, polypropylene (PP), paraxylene (PX), ethylene glycol (EG) could deflate global prices
• Chemical companies enjoyed stellar first quarter
• Prices, volumes, capacity utilisation all up strongly
• Supply chains need to become more robust

ICIS and the European Association of Chemical Distributors (Fecc) are organising a special forum on Tuesday 11 May where CEOs will discuss industry trends and challenges. Register here .

Read the latest issue of ICIS Chemical Business.

Read Paul Hodges and John Richardson’s ICIS blogs.

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.

Interview by Will Beacham