ICIS Market Expert Blogs

Read our chemical and energy experts’ latest assessment of the market

Asian Chemical Connections

John Richardson’s Asian Chemicals Connections looks at Asian and global commodity chemicals and polymer pricing trends, supply and demand, macroeconomics, energy and environmental issues.

Asia’s grim polyethylene margins yet to be made worse by the trade war
11th June 2025

THE TRADE WAR has yet to make Asian polyethylene margins any worse. But they were already awful.

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Why an Ageing World Doesn’t Automatically Mean Lower Chemicals Demand Growth
9th June 2025

AN AGEING GLOBAL population doesn't necessarily mean lower chemicals demand growth

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The Illusion of Free Markets in Petrochemicals
4th June 2025

THE TRADE WAR is just the latest of non-plant specific and broader factors that drive the petrochemicals industry

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Ageing populations, chemicals demand and the broader picture
29th May 2025

We need new models for forecasting chemicals demand growth

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Chemicals and the Economy

Guest blogger, Paul Hodges looks behind today's headlines and studies key influencers shaping the chemical industry over the next 12-18 months. He takes a closer look at oil prices, economic growth and the environment among other things, along with some light-hearted commentary along the way.

Robotaxis take to the road in China, the US and now Europe
8th June 2025

Major paradigm shifts are never easy. Tesla's example shows how even well-funded start-ups can lose the plot. But the benefits of robotaxis are very r

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President Trump’s Tariff War risks a new Depression – stock markets instead focus on Bitcoin
1st June 2025

Roman Emperors used to distract people with "bread and circuses". Today, it seems Bitcoin is playing this role. The Tariff War is at major risk of rep

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Bond vigilantes start to push interest rates higher – and impact auto/housing markets
25th May 2025

Borrowing makes a lot of sense when interest rates and inflation are low. But now, both are returning to more normal levels. This will increase defaul

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President Trump’s tariff war and planned tax cuts reawaken the ‘bond vigilantes’
18th May 2025

Republicans are racing to finish the draft budget by Memorial Day at the end of the month. Bond investors can be forgiven for getting nervous about wh

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