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Market players expressed bearish views on consumption throughout value chains at the recently concluded polyurethanes exhibition and conference UTECH Europe held between 23-25 April 2024 in Maastricht, the Netherlands.ICIS isocyanates (toluene diisocyanate -TDI and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate-MDI) and polyols, European market editor, Zubair Adam and ICIS senior analyst for isocyanates and polyols, Umberto Torresan who attended the event share their engagements and discuss future developments that will shape future demand in Europe for these products.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--ICIS analyst Sijia Li, Yvonne Shi, Zhibo Xiao, Lucy Shuai, Joanne Wang and Cindy Qiu discuss the development trend of China's polyolefins and polyester market.

The European and US epoxy resins markets are facing a tug of war between margin and cost struggles versus still fragile underlying demand and competition from China.The US anti dumping case for epoxy resins against several Asian countries and the EU anti subsidy probe against Chinese wind turbines are also talking points as the west looks to protect its industry against unfair competition.Senior editor Heidi Finch who covers the Europe epoxy market discusses current and near-term expectations with fellow senior editor Tarun Raizada, who covers the US epoxy market. 

The choppy economic backdrop, unprecedented growth of global polyolefins capacity, and how Europe can pivot under pressure from chunky legislation, were huge themes at the 10th ICIS World Polyolefins conference.Fresh from the stage, ICIS experts dig into the biggest themes that cropped up for delegates including converters, brands and producers in Vienna.In this podcast, PE and PP senior editor Vicky Ellis is joined by fellow senior editor Ben Monroe-Lake, senior analysts Emiliano Basualto, Lorenzo Meazza and Egor Dementev, and polyolefins consultant John Richardson.

LONDON (ICIS)--In April, for European oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets the focus has remained on supply-side changes to drive market sentiment and prices. This is largely expected to continue for the remainder of the quarter.Across markets, underlying demand continues to struggle amid the muted downstream environment in a variety of end user segments. Anticipated supply improvements for the rest of the quarter remain closely monitoredGlycol ethers report editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols Editor Nicole Simpson, acrylate esters Editor Mat Jolin-Beech and butyl acetate Editor Marion Boakye about the current conditions in these markets and expectations for the near future.

Recent cracker closure announcements in Europe and Japan may be the first of many as the industry grapples with chronic overcapacity driven by China and the Middle East. -          Three cracker closure announcements in Europe, Japan since late March-          1.4 million tonnes of ethylene capacity affected, but up to 20 million may be needed-          Europe, Japan, South Korea suffer from higher costs -          Negative chemicals demand growth possible in China-          China still dominates global chemical markets-          Opportunity to pivot sites to low carbon, local markets