Icis Americas Podcast

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets reporter Steven McGinn and senior editor Ignacio Sotolongo on the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturer's (AFPM) annual meeting, which was held in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 11-13. The annual meeting was full of renewed optimism for the industry's outlook, thanks to factors ranging from higher crude oil prices year on year, a more favourable regulatory situation with the new government administration and the rebound following 2017's hurricane season.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Lane Kelley on the US Butanediol (BDO) and acetic acid markets, where supply is tight amid force majeure declarations in the US Gulf Coast.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with fuels editor Steven McGinn on the Renewable Fuels Association's National Ethanol Conference, which concluded this week in San Antonio, Texas. Topics include the threat posed by electric vehicles, as well as upcoming legislation on the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS).

News writer David Haydon speaks with markets editor Annalise Little on the North American Sulphur markets. Discussion includes how the markets are on pause ahead of the Lunar New Year, as well as tight supply in the US and Canada.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with deputy managing editor Zachary Moore on the US benzene market. Discussion includes the market's backwardation from late October to mid-January as well as the recent shift where the futures price is above the expected spot price.

News writer David Haydon speaks to senor editor Tarun Raizada about the US epoxy market. Discussion includes the ongoing tight supply situation, high prices for imported material and high feedstock costs.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets editor Jessie Waldheim on the US olefins market, which includes the products ethylene and propylene. Discussion includes the lagging issues of September and October outages that Hurricane Harvey caused to olefins plants along the US Gulf Coast, as well as delays to ethylene and propylene projects.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Ignacio Sotolongo on the crude oil market. Discussions include OPEC's recent announcement that it will extend production cuts past March 2018, as well as the condition of US shale oil production.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets editor Steven McGinn on the US propane market. Discussion ranges from the last six months of price increases being driven by outlets such as exports and agriculture, as well as the current supply situation.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with deputy managing editor Zachary Moore on the US isocyanates and polyols markets. Discussion includes ongoing price increase initiatives in the markets, as well as ongoing isocyanate supply issues affecting both US and global markets.

News reporter David Haydon speaks to Latin America editor-in-chief George Martin and senior editor Ron Coifman on the annual meeting of the Latin American Petrochemical Association (APLA), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil between 12-14 November. Discussion includes highlights from the annual event, as well as APLA sentiment towards chemical production coming out of the US.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with deputy managing editor Zachary Moore, deputy news editor Al Greenwood and markets editor Amanda Hay on the ongoing US bankruptcy proceedings with subsidiaries of Italty-based Mossi & Ghisolfi (M&G). Discussion includes the planned sale of M&G's polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/purified terephthalic acid (PTA) plant in Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as the effect the situation is having abroad.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets editor Annalise Little on the North American sulphur market. High demand and low supply have led to high prices at levels not seen in several years. Discussions include production issues in California, as well as new operations coming online in Canada.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Mark Milam on the US ammonia market. Topics of discussion range from the higher trend in global pricing, the progress on the US corn harvest and the recent elevation in urea prices.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor John Dietrich on government regulations for the chemical industry. Discussions include President Donald Trump's administration, current policies and potential changes, as well as environmental deregulation.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with deputy managing director Zachary Moore and deputy news editor Al Greenwood on the 60th annual Polyurethanes Technical Conference held by the Center for Polyurethanes Industry in New Orleans, Louisiana. Discussions range from Chemours winning the 2017 Polyurethane Innovation Award, to the current status of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's)Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) programme.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor Ron Coifman on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) market in Latin America. Discussion ranges from the tight supply of PET and precursors following Hurricane Harvey, as well as issues in Mexico's and Brazil's Mossi & Ghisolfi (M&G) plants.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with deputy news editor Al Greenwood and deputy managing editor Zachary Moore on the recent US Gulf Coast Industry forum held in Pasadena, Texas. Discussion ranges from the state of the industry almost one month after Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast, to the political discussions held during the two-day event.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor David Love on the US styrene market. Discussion includes price increases due to tight supply even prior to the arrival of Hurricane Harvey in August, as well as the recent force majeure declared by LyondellBasell on styrene from its Channelview plant in Texas.

News reporter David Haydon speaks with senior editor manager Judith Taylor on the US base oils market. Discussion ranges from logistical challenges for base oil producers two weeks into the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, to the continuing restarts for refineries along the US Gulf Coast.