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.

BARCELONA (ICIS)--The European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal may not be radical enough to reverse the decline of Europe’s petrochemical industry.

• Member states urged to lower energy bills by cutting taxes to legal minimums
• Improve infrastructure and connections to ease flow of renewable electricity
• €100 billion to support EU-made clean manufacturing, but questions over how chemicals can access the money
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for energy-intensive industries to partner with renewable energy providers
• More measures against unfair foreign competition
• Measures to boost circular economy and recycling
• But nothing game-changing or radical enough

In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS senior energy reporter Gretchen Ransow, ICIS chief news correspondent for Europe, Tom Brown and Nigel Davis from the ICIS market development team.

LONDON (ICIS)--Recent escalations in the US-China tariff war are set to create waves in the Asian and European import markets for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI).

Isocyanates Europe editor Zubair Adam and Asia editor Shannen Ng show case the key developments.

LONDON (ICIS)--The European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have seen a mix of stable to firm pricing coming into February. Focus is shifting towards what demand trends may look like into the spring months and on current supply disruptions in the market.

Glycol ethers report editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols editor and butyl acetate editor Marion Boakye, acrylate esters editor Mat Jolin-Beech about the current conditions in these markets and expectations for the near future.

Europe’s petrochemical sector will need to see bold moves in the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal to help reverse its decline.
- May be a conflict between aim of making Europe more competitive and environmental goals

- Europe is in the “last chance saloon” to halt deindustrialisation

- Europe industry burdened by high cost of energy, CO2

- Improved connectivity for renewable power will be essential for chemicals

- Reform of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) welcome if it really protects local manufacturing

- Huge investment needed to make a low carbon future a reality

- ICIS forecasts depressed operating rates for global ethylene, propylene to 2035

- EU should focus on increasing tariff barriers, defence spending

- Clean Industrial Deal should be welcomed as a direct response to Antwerp Declaration

- Deal will be published on Wednesday 26 February

In this podcast, market editors Zubair Adam (MX) and Miguel Rodriguez Fernandez (PX) discuss the challenges for future demand.