According to attendees at the annual European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) conference in Berlin, Germany held during 22-25 September, consumption for polyols and isocyanates for the rest of 2025 is not expected to recover with similar expectations going forward.

In this episode, European markets editor Zubair Adam for isocyanates and polyols and Rob Peacock, ICIS lead analyst, discuss sentiments captured during the conference.

FORECASTING UPDATE: Starting September 2025, ICIS will begin releasing its polyols and isocyanates 18-month forward price forecasts twice a month. Each market will be fully updated once a month, with a second update comprising revised price forecast charts plus a brief discussion highlighting market changes.

European Group I base oils volumes have been locked in a downwards trend as a domestic oversupply build up in inventories over the summer while export volumes continue to see some tightness especially on heavier grades. Is Exxon Mobil's newly opened Singapore plant expansion the answer to that supply gap? And how are flows expected to change?

Sophie Udubasceanu, Sam Wright and Michael Connolly discuss what to expected this winter for European base oils and lubricants.

BERLIN (ICIS)--In a special podcast recorded on the sidelines of European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) event in Berlin, Insight Editor Tom Brown talks to Europe News Editor Morgan Condon and Market Development Director John Richardson about sentiment on the sidelines of this year’s meeting.

US recycled plastics Senior Editor Emily Friedman, US PET Markets Reporter Melissa Wheeler, Vice President of the Polyester Chain, Antulio Borneo, and Senior Recycled Plastics Analyst Andrea Bassetti discuss the implications of recently added reciprocal tariffs on the US virgin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and recycled PET (R-PET) markets including:

• Immediate spot price impacts across virgin and recycled PET
• Revised annual contract negotiations on several recent price increase initiatives
• Forecasted market trends of US R-PET
• Tariff management techniques applied by market participants

Industry leaders should concentrate on cash, security of raw materials and trends which will drive chemicals demand as tough conditions continue in Europe.

- Preserve cash, keeping debt under control in this tough environment
- Focus on securing feedstocks amid upstream closures
- Identify consumer trends, future customer needs
- Tentative signs of improvement for Europe’s economy
- Expect more closures across the region
- Oxford Economics forecasts return to growth from mid-2026
- Southern Europe ports may get busier as more imports flow from Middle East, Asia
- Sustainability has to be about affordability
- Market talk of some aviation fuel buyers opting to pay a fine for undershooting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandates due to the cheapness of conventional fuels

The former Brenntag CEO believes the chemical industry can overcome current challenges once it takes some more bold steps.

- Industry emerged stronger from previous crises and can do so again

- Nascent recovery stifled by tariff war

- Overcapacity is hurting industry everywhere

- Europe closures mean distributors may adjust sourcing

- Distribution industry is ripe for more consolidation

- Leaders need a strong vision to attract the best talent

- Private equity, state-funded bodies could buy assets, create national champions

In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Christian Kohlpaintner, former CEO of Brenntag.

European phthalic anhydride (PA) reporter Gabrielle Jordan and plasticizers reporter Marion Boakye discuss current market conditions ahead of the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) annual meeting, taking place 22–25 September in Berlin, Germany.

Both markets are set to remain under pressure through 2025, with sellers facing headwinds from competitive import flows, ample domestic supply, and muted demand.

A meaningful rebound in consumption appears unlikely, as ongoing economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and fragile global trade continue to weigh on major downstream sectors, particularly automotive and construction.

Topics discussed include:

• Supply-demand dynamics
• Short-term outlooks
• Key themes ahead of EPCA

Podcast by Marion Boakye and Gabrielle Jordan

In an increasingly unstable world, chemicals executives need to be aware of the important issues which are likely to steer the global economy, and markets, for the rest of 2025.

• President Trump’s tariff trade war
• Russia’s war with Ukraine
• China’s property bubble
• Potential for another Asian financial crisis
• Crude oil market convulsions

In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.