SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- China's domestic acrylonitrile (ACN) prices fell to over five-year lows early this year. Overcapacity, weak demand and sustained margin pressure loomed over the value chain, encouraging players to rebalance.

In this chemical podcast, Asia ACN editors Seymour Chenxia and Corey Chew take a look at recent China and broader Asian ACN market movements, discuss the short-term forecast, supply-demand fundamentals and trade flow outlook for 2026.

• NE Asia ACN prices decline on tepid demand and overcapacity in Jan
• Short-term pressure may ease as negative margins weigh on run rates
• Exports emerge as the long-term option to mitigate China oversupply

LONDON (ICIS)--Sluggish demand, a complex tariff landscape and geopolitical instability are key talking points in the Europe and US epoxy markets.

In this podcast, Heidi Finch who covers the Europe epoxy market and fellow senior editor Tarun Raizada who covers the US epoxy market share insights on tariff uncertainty, ongoing demand and margin concerns in a troubled climate.

• Tariff and trade haze continue to cast shadows over the epoxy markets in both Europe and the US.*
• Demand remains fragile and cautious across regions, with limited restocking activity in Q1, no meaningful recovery expected in the first half of the year, some uplift hopes for H2.
• Pricing tension persists, amid margin concerns vs soft market conditions
• Europe bears the brunt of competition from South Korea, due to EU anti‑dumping exemptions
• Possible EU review of anti‑dumping duties/SK ADD exemption could potentially level out the playing field

*Since the podcast recording, Trump has called off his 10% tariff threat from 1 February on some EU countries over the Greenland dispute following a productive meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Podcast editing: Zubair Adam

The whip shaw over tariffs relating to the Greenland dispute highlights the need for chemical companies to plan for a world of rising geopolitical instability.

· Trump’s tariff swings deepen uncertainty for global chemical trade

· EU–US deal stalls, exposing fragile trade negotiation structures

· Davos leaders warn of weakening global institutions and alliances

· China presents itself as stabilising force amid shifting geopolitics

· Trade deals no longer guarantee protection from sudden policy shocks

· Tariff uncertainty threatens investment, planning and market confidence

· Chemicals growth areas include defence, recycling and water technologies

· Chemicals may need to develop strong regional champions

In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.