PODCAST: Omicron risks further chemicals supply chain and demand disruption

BARCELONA (ICIS)–The Omicron coronavirus variant may further disrupt supply chains while impacting demand for chemical markets around the world.

• Omicron variant risks disruption to supply chains, demand
• Chemical industry is a six to nine month leading indicator of wider economy
• Risk of deflation, recession next year as consumers have less spending power
• Rich countries must pay for medical infrastructure, vaccines for emerging economies
• High price differentials in polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) between the west and China, southeast Asia should ease when supply chains improve

In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS Insight Editor Nigel Davis, ICIS Senior Consultant Asia John Richardson 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 and John Richardson’s ICIS blogs.