Fresh US tariffs posing a big risk for PE, a chemical industry under threat of “extinction”, more Q4 results to pore over from EU polyolefins – there’s yet again plenty to digest for Europe polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) senior editors.

Vicky Ellis and Ben Lake are joined by senior analysts Lorenzo Meazza (PE) and Emiliano Basualto (PP) to consider February trends, what to expect in March and the rest of 2025.

Last but not least, they look at different scenarios that US tariffs will affect PE and PP.

They touch on articles including US PE exports most vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs, Saudi plans for a new Sipchem/LyondellBasell mixed feed cracker and Orlen’s Q4 petchem operating loss improving.

HOUSTON (ICIS)—US polyethylene terephthalate markets reporter Melissa Wheeler interviews Vice President of the North America PET/Polyester Chain, Antulio Borneo.

PET market factors discussed include:

• Tariffs on Mexico and Canada imports and the impacts to the US PET market
• Supply and demand balance going into the peak summer season
• China’s antimony bans on exports to the US and the impact that will have on PET production

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The northeast Asian propylene import markets have been weighed down by lengthening supply amid restarts at propane dehydrogenation (PDH) units. However, lower affordability levels from derivatives such as propylene oxide (PO) have also curbed import demand.

• NE Asia propylene prices cool on weaker demand amid lower affordability levels
• Oversupply a central issue in northeast Asia for PO makers
• Tight SE Asia propylene supply likely to continue amid shutdowns

In this latest podcast, ICIS senior editor Julia Tan speaks with markets editor Shannen Ng to discuss market conditions and expectations for the near future.