Paul Hodges | Real Vision Finance (6 Sep 2023)
Paul Hodges | Real Vision Finance (24 Mar 2023)
New Normal FT Letters


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New Normal in the News
2023
November
PODCAST: Think Tank: New ‘supermajors’ will dominate chemical industry
PODCAST: Think Tank: China exports price deflation
PODCAST: Think Tank: Huge pressure to close petrochemical plants as global overcapacity grows
PODCAST: Think Tank: Era of rapid change heralds winners and losers; trough conditions to persist
October
PODCAST: Think Tank: Europe faces tough 2023/4, must think long-term
PODCAST: Think Tank: Chemicals needs leaders like Steve Jobs to reinvent industry
September
Companies must be bold and transform, as paradigm shifts reshape the business world
PODCAST: Think Tank: Industry contends with fundamental shift to global economy
August
Investors should pack a copy of the Old Testament for the beach Financial Times letter
PODCAST: Think Tank: What China’s economic malaise means for chemicals
July
PODCAST: Think Tank: Chemical industry must wake up to climate emergency
PODCAST: Think Tank: Companies need to take bold steps to thrive in Europe
PODCAST: Think Tank: Falling chemical prices signal switch from inflation to deflation
June
It Feels Like ‘Lehman II’ in This Crucial Industry Bloomberg
It Feels Like ‘Lehman II’ in This Crucial Industry Washington Post
PODCAST: Think Tank: Europe PE, PP panic confirms persistent demand collapse
Richard Carter joins Itero Advisory Panel
PODCAST: Think Tank: China, energy transition spur volatility in oil, chemical markets
We Need to Talk About China, Again
PODCAST: Think Tank: PFA conflict flags existential questions for chemical industry
May
PODCAST: Think Tank: Demand flops in chemical markets around the world, gloomy outlook
“Houston, we have a problem”
PODCAST: Think Tank: Distributors no longer so insulated from economic pressures
April
PODCAST: Think Tank: Chemical recycling under threat, needs more investment
PODCAST: Think Tank: Markets plagued by low demand; focus on future bright spots
Recycling can secure the future for US chemical companies
March
PODCAST: Paul Hodges – There’s No Substitute for Judgment My worst Investment ever
PODCAST: Think Tank: Gas surcharges start to fall away as European prices collapse
PODCAST: Think Tank: Plunging shipping rates point to normalising global logistics, Europe under pressure
PODCAST: Think Tank: US bank run heralds tougher lending conditions
PODCAST: Think Tank: China adds record-breaking chemicals capacity in 2023, global markets wary
February
PODCAST: Think Tank: Chemicals to benefit as global “Green War” gets underway
SOAS PODCAST Will China get old before it gets rich?
PODCAST: Think Tank: China economy, chemicals fail to bounce back yet
PODCAST: Think Tank: Start of year chemicals uptick may be a false dawn
January
PODCAST: Think Tank: EU chemicals may lose free carbon credits, double costs, under CBAM legislation
PODCAST: The economic importance of chemicals BLK Capital Management interview
Economy drives need for change
2022
December
Onde ficarão as próximas plantas de PE e PP? Plásticos em Revista
PODCAST: Think Tank: Europe chemicals suffer lowest operating rate since 2008, global industry in doldrums
PODCAST: Think Tank: Ban on Russian refined products will hurt Europe more than oil restrictions
The Car Market Is Crashing Paul Hodges | Blockworks (1 Dec 2022)
November
PODCAST: Think Tank: High gas prices, shortages here to stay, Europe must adapt
PODCAST: Think Tank: China demand outlook poor on shutdowns, pandemic policies
How to get out of the perfect storm?
The Chemicals Market Is Bearish – Stupendously Bearish Paul Hodges, Blockworks (4 Nov 2022)
October
PODCAST: Think Tank: High gas prices, shortages here to stay, Europe must adapt
PODCAST: Think Tank: Crisis worst in living memory, plan for a more complex world
PODCAST: Think Tank: Sustainability dominates agenda but industry progress slow
Scenario planning key amid volatility
PODCAST: Think Tank: Europe petrochemicals face ‘winter of discontent’
September
PODCAST: Think Tank: Demand collapsing in auto, construction end use markets
Russian Gas Shortage Could Have Deep Reverberations Interview with GLG
PODCAST: In the lion’s den: The effects of geopolitics on the financial markets Interview with Sawchuk Wealth
PODCAST: Think Tank: Chemical distributors less exposed to downturn, still face tough Q4 in Europe
PODCAST: Think Tank: Sliding fundamentals could reshape global chemicals production
August
PODCAST: Think Tank: Chemicals must stay on low carbon track despite current crises
Facing up to paradigm shifts – Premium interview
PODCAST: Think Tank: Global chemical prices collapse, Europe prepares for dry summer, tough winter
Haja resistência ao impacto – Plástico em revista interview
Real Vision: Paul Hodges Believes Markets Will Refocus on Price Discovery

RealVision: My Life in 4 Trades (3 Aug 2022)
SOAS PODCAST: China’s problems with faltering growth and rising debt
PODCAST: Think Tank: Covestro profit warning, chemical price slump highlight H2 risks
July
PODCAST: Think Tank: Messy supply chains complicate Europe gas rationing plans
PODCAST: Think Tank: Gas rationing for chemicals, fertilizers likely in Europe this winter
PODCAST: Think Tank: Chems sector resilient in Q2 but conditions forecast bleak for H2
June
PODCAST: Think Tank: Europe, German chemicals face gas supply crisis
PODCAST: Think Tank: INEOS project halt highlights Europe’s plight
PODCAST: Think Tank: Chaotic fertilizer markets, weather events, could worsen food crisis
Paul Hodges Says Investors Should Stop Fed-Watching Real Vision podcast

RealVision: The Next Big Trades (7 Jun 2022)
May
PODCAST: Think Tank: Europe propylene market drowns, faltering demand signals broader economic woes
PODCAST: Think Tank: Europe chemicals could face short periods of gas rationing this winter
“Be Bloody Careful” As Recession Hits Europe and China RealVision (26 May 2022)
April
This major industry may be signalling a recession Yahoo Finance
PODCAST: Think Tank: Recycling and circular value chains could drive local pricing of plastics
Ukraine, pandemic, herald market shifts
March
A globalização esvaziou – Plástico em revista interview
PODCAST: Think Tank: Companies face a new dawn as low-inflation era comes to an end
PODCAST: Why petrochemicals won’t save oil demand Interview with Westwood Global Energy
VIDEO/PODCAST: Russia and Ukraine: The big picture Interview with Sawchuk Wealth
PODCAST: Think Tank: Oil price shock will hit margins, demand and economy
Viewpoint: Sustainable business decisions The Chemical Engineer
PODCAST: Think Tank: How chemical markets are reacting to Russian invasion of Ukraine
February
Business not as usual Chemistry & Industry
PODCAST: Think Tank: Ukraine conflict could hurt margins as costs soar amid falling demand
Global Plastic Supply Chain Investors Line-up at First Close of Infinity Recycling’s Circular Plastics Fund
PODCAST: Think Tank: Chemicals demand growth detaches from GDP, gets complicated
In the Lion’s Den Interview with Sawchuk Wealth
The end of Peak China Asian Affairs
January
Sostenibilita ed economia circolare come “cura” contro gli effetti della pandemia In Italian
PODCAST: Think Tank: Stock market bubble may be about to burst
O desmonte do passado – Plástico em revista interview
PODCAST: Think Tank: Europe, US chemicals face China dominance in race for low carbon technology
PODCAST: Think Tank: Supply chain crisis delaying inevitable downturn
Plastics industry feedstocks at risk from the rise of Electric Vehicles
PODCAST: Think Tank: More gas price volatility likely in winter 2022
2021
Dec
PODCAST: Think Tank: Economy, chemicals may switch from inflation to deflation in 2022
Using chemistry to avert the tragedy of the oceans
PODCAST: Think Tank: As China moves to self-sufficiency, expect scramble for global market share
Nov
PODCAST: Think Tank: Omicron risks further supply chain and demand disruption
PODCAST: Think Tank: EPCA president Hartwig Michels on the low carbon challenge and supply chain, logistics crisis
PODCAST: Think Tank: Chemicals indicators point to global slowdown amid margin contraction
PODCAST: Think Tank: COP26 highlights how chemicals must ‘wake up and smell the coffee’
Oct
PODCAST: Think Tank: China property bubble burst could trigger global recession
China in context: The exuberant lifestyle of Evergrande’s billionaire boss SOAS podcast
PODCAST: Think Tank: Industry must banish inertia, reinvent itself for a low carbon future
A look back from 2030 at the success of COP26
Sep
PODCAST: Think Tank: Demand, supply chains face disruption from new China policy
An end to the China bubble would risk a Minsky moment Financial Times letter
PODCAST: Think Tank: Soaring energy prices disrupt fertilizer, chemical markets
PODCAST: Think Tank: Evergrande debt crisis signals major reset for China
PODCAST: Think Tank: American Chemistry Council’s Kevin Swift reflects on Storm Ida and a career in chemicals
Aug
PODCAST: Think Tank: chemicals enjoy highest operating rate in 30 years despite pandemic, logistics disruption
PODCAST: Think Tank: Logistics crisis could last for years, force more regional supply chains
Pandemic accelerates business transformation
PODCAST: Think Tank: Fear of shortages may fuel inventory building; expect H2 destocking
Jul
Chemical Makers Are Booming as People Buy Ever More Stuff Bloomberg analysis
PODCAST: Think Tank: Mushrooming carbon costs will push Europe chemicals to transform
PODCAST: Think Tank: Chemical markets may have peaked, expect H2 slowdown
PODCAST: Think Tank: Europe’s low carbon drive could revolutionise chemicals
Jun
PODCAST: Think Tank: Can industry rise to the challenge of a low carbon future?
Sustainability Gaining Momentum in Auto Markets Globally Real Vision video interview
PODCAST: Think Tank: Chemicals need governments to take more action on climate
Shell v Dutch Friends of the Earth, June 2021
PODCAST: Think Tank: Don’t ignore demographics – they drive demand
May
PODCAST: Think Tank: Plunging chemical prices could signal return to ‘normal’
PODCAST: Think Tank: Petrochemical price inflation could switch to deflation
PODCAST: As panic buying subsides, where next?
Transforming Supply Chains The Chemical Engineer interview
Apr
PODCAST: Joe Biden’s earth summit brings tipping point for industry
PODCAST: Record-breaking chemical margins as logistics, supply crisis persists
PODCAST: Pandemic has broken link to GDP for chemicals demand, new models required
Shift in life expectancy puts a focus on retraining Financial Times letter
Mar
PODCAST: Demand pushed in different directions by vaccine roll-out, supply chain disruption
PODCAST: Hydrogen could hold the key to low carbon chemicals
Chemicals on the threshold of a dramatic transformation CHEManager interview
PODCAST: Markets distorted by logistics and panic buying, but underlying optimism seen for 2021
PODCAST: Ramp up of recycling held back by technology, poor collection, inertia
Feb
Weak Demand and the Return to “Normal” Illusion — Live with Paul Hodges Real Vision interview
PODCAST: US Gulf Coast storm outages risk global supply crunch
PODCAST: Gulf petrochemicals special focus with GPCA secretary general Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun
Um novo tempo In Portuguese
PODCAST: Drive to lower carbon means no new steam crackers after 2030
Jan
PODCAST: Chemical sector must step up circular investments from tens to hundreds of millions
L’Industria del PET va online In Italian
PODCAST: Europe chemicals face €1bn 2021 carbon bill as global action intensifies
PODCAST: Biden ushers in global era of low carbon
Brexit’s Red Tape Is Just Beginning New York Times
Look for Winners and Losers in 2021
PODCAST: Faltering China chemicals signal caution for 2021
2020
Dec
PODCAST: Brexit like a slow puncture as investment gets diverted elsewhere
PODCAST: Economists more optimistic, but logistics risks a threat to chemicals
PODCAST: ExxonMobil write downs signal end of fossil fuels, need for new thinking in chemicals
Nov
PODCAST: New Asia trade bloc is good news for China chemicals, disaster for US
PODCAST: Chemical market disruptions will persist, despite vaccine progress
PODCAST: US election – Trump versus Biden on chemicals
Oct
Real Vision: The Global Macro Litmus Test — Live With Paul Hodges
PODCAST: China’s key planning meeting has huge implications
PODCAST: Dr Dark, after Dark. Macro, Chemicals & Innovation
PODCAST: UK-EU27 chemicals face severe Brexit disruption with or without a deal
PODCAST: EPCA CEO Caroline CiuCiu – Capturing growth from sustainability tops agenda
Pandemic redraws the map
PODCAST: EPCA president Marc Schuller – Pandemic has accelerated pre-existing trends
Sep
PODCAST: China bounce back may be on shaky foundations
PODCAST: Europe refineries, petrochemicals may close as demand fails to recover
Sustainability can boost the impact of stimulus packages
PODCAST: Why ‘peak oil’ may coincide with ‘peak plastic’
PODCAST: No-deal Brexit increasingly likely from January 2021
PODCAST: Downturn began in 2017 and has accelerated
Aug
PODCAST: China flooding displaces 60m people, $40bn in damage, hindering recovery
PODCAST: Virus vaccine could be years away so pivot now for permanent changes in demand
PODCAST: focus on radical new business models to survive
Jul
June’s data suggests only a weak recovery – India ET TV interview
Road to recovery? – Fx Strategies video interview
PODCAST: EU €800/t plastic waste tax supports recycling, may drive product substitution
PODCAST: Coronavirus boosts digitisation in chemicals R&D, new manufacturing technologies
PODCAST: Chemicals demand is improving, but recovery a long way off
The Top 5 pandemic paradigm shifts
Jun
The New Normal for global industry – Real Vision video interview
PODCAST: BP disposal raises questions over petchems as oil and gas sector lifeline
5 major paradigm shifts will impact industry and markets Video interview
PODCAST: Is the global recession really just because of Covid-19?
PODCAST: Chemicals could face L-shaped recovery, rapid shift from oil to renewables
PODCAST: Virus to accelerate China self-sufficiency in chemicals, overcapacity elsewhere
PODCAST: Ethylene cycle points to project cancellations, overcapacity
PODCAST: Optimism for June/July may be misplaced, focus on remodelling business
May
PODCAST: Chemicals to be squeezed between rising costs, collapsing demand
PODCAST: Sustainability’s importance to grow after the pandemic as supply chains become local
PODCAST: Next steps for chemicals amid pandemic – ICIS advisory board
PODCAST: As lockdowns are eased, identify pockets of demand, long-term trends
Coronavirus dims chemistry job market prospects
PODCAST: New data shows depth of downturn – expect steep contraction for chemicals
Apr
The bill for two decades of doomed stimulus measures is due Financial Times letter
PODCAST: New data shows depth of downturn – expect steep contraction for chemicals
PODCAST: Era of cost-advantaged ethane crackers ends
Industry needs wartime focus on meeting basic needs
Mar
A new recession era to emerge
PODCAST: Businesses need to plan for collapse in demand, prolonged downturn
Crude collapse to crush US petchem advantage, virus spread boosts global recession risk
PODCAST: Expect global recession, disruption to chemicals and other major markets after oil crash
Jan
Synchronised slowdown to persist in 2020
2019
Dec
Automakers face stiff headwinds in big emerging markets Financial Times beyondbrics
Oct
Chemicals face paradigm shift
Aug
China’s renminbi and the global ring of fire Financial Times beyondbrics
Asian petrochemical profits slammed by trade war crossfire, oversupply Reuters
It’s time for companies to take control on Brexit
Jun
Resilience amid headwinds is key
May
Por trás da cara pintada Plásticos em revista interview
Apr
Don’t get carried away by Beijing’s stimulus FT Beyondbrics
Mar
Stormy weather ahead for chemicals
Paul Hodges on chemical industry challenges podcast
Are your clients ready for Brexit? Accountancy Age
Kopieermachine van Britse handelsminister hapert Het Financieele Dagblad
Feb
The BoE’s pre-emptive strike is not without risk Financial Times letter
Jan
CEOs need new business models amid downturn
Prepare now for synchronised global downturn YouTube video interview
2018
Dec
Brexit will not be decided before Christmas Channel 4 News
Government edits own documents to remove claim no-deal Brexit is ‘unlikely’ Sky News
UK businesses not ready for Brexit Sunday Express
Small businesses urged to prepare for hard Brexit Daily Mail
BBC Radio Kent interview with Paul Hodges on Brexit
All roads lead to No Deal Breaking News
Nov
Brexit worsens global recession risk ICIS podcast
The global economy: key indicators pointing to just how bad things are MoneyWeek podcast
Will UK house prices ever rise again?
BBC News interview with Paul Hodges on Brexit
Chemical output signals trouble for global economy FT Beyondbrics
Oct
Petrochemicals face multiple challenges ICIS news podcast interview with Paul Hodges
Is your business ready for Brexit?
Sep
Financial crises and the five stages of loss Financial Times letter
Jul
US-China tariffs could lead to global Polyethylene price war
Jun
Recycling moves up the agenda
Recycle revolution
May
Polymer recycling comes of age
China’s lending bubble is history FT Beyondbrics
Nada será como antes
Mar
Goodbye to business as usual model
Sustainability and the circular economy create major new opportunities YouTube video interview
Feb
Older workers are looking for something more Financial Times letter
China’s role in market volatility FT Beyondbrics
Jan
Oil, interest rates, debt and protectionism highlight risks for 2018
The return of volatility is the key market risk for 2018 YouTube video interview
2017
Dec
Anything to declare?
Anti-pollution drive hits China’s role as global growth engine FT Beyondbrics
Nov
Brexit reality hits U.K. chemical companies
Verso una produzione sostenibile
Oct
Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’ is looking a lot less clear FT Beyondbrics
Hurricane Harvey marks new beginning for the chemical industry
Too early to count the cost of Hurricane Harvey YouTube video interview
Sep
Baby boomers’ spending decline has hit demand and inflation Financial Times letter
Aug
Investors ponder further shocks after N Korea jolt Reuters interview
China’s used cars put a dent in global industry FT Beyondbrics
Jul
O negócio é largar na frente plásticos em revista
Jun
Supply chains to shift from global to local
What’s May’s car-crash election means for us all MoneyWeek cover story
Supply chains go local as BabyBoomers age YouTube video interview
China’s changed priorities indicate end to stimulus FT Beyondbrics
Apr
Ageing boomers are no longer spending Financial Times letter
Mar
US polyethylene exports on frontline in the War of Words
Trump, China in War of Words on trade YouTube video
Feb
The effectiveness and impact of post-2008 UK monetary policy Evidence to UK Treasury Committee Inquiry
Jan
2017 will see further rise in protectionism
What the New Year may hold in store for investors MoneyWeek Round Table
Supply/demand fundamentals set to challenge central banks YouTube video interview
Demographics are critical to economic forecasting Andy Haldane (Chief Economist, Bank of England)
2016
Nov
Forget the IMF: global chemicals are your guide to future performance Financial Times
Italy’s referendum is next test for Eurozone stability
Industry needs new strategy to spread benefits of globalisation
Oct
Fed’s economic models applied to a past era Financial Times letter
Markets struggle with political risk
Hope is not a strategy YouTube video interview
Hope is not a strategy Chemical industry analysis
Sep
What is wrong with a little deflation? Portfolio Adviser podcast
Quantitative Easing could become the next subprime
Shifting population driving economics FT Adviser
You’ve seen the Great Unwinding; get ready for the Great Reckoning Financial Times
Aug
Brexit risks for the UK economy EuroMoney interview
Oil price to sink back to $30 a barrel Interactive Investor
Demand – the New Direction for profit Premium magazine
Jul
Auto sales and the oil price: the Great Unwinding continues Financial Times
Polymers face challenging times
Adapting to changing global demographics
May
Chemical industry is best indicator of EM outlook – and the outlook is not good Financial Times
Apr
Saudi Arabia’s Aramco valued at more than $1tn ahead of flotation Daily Telegraph
Saudi Aramco to become holding company Wall Street Journal
Mar
Demand – the new direction for profit
Oil price rise unsustainable YouTube video interview
China’s rising exports: less about growth, more about exporting deflation Financial Times
Feb
If only the central banks could print babies Financial Times
China’s lending bubble is being deflated Financial Times
The world’s economy soared last year (or plunged) New York Times
Jan
The Great Unwind will continue MoneyWeek Outlook for 2016
Painful return to reality beckons
Expect $25-$30/bbl oil and lower chemical prices in 2016 YouTube interview
Mudou a fase da lua
2015
Dec
Xi in Paris: all part of China’s New Normal Financial Times blog post
Oct
Investing in oil is a slippery slope Financial Times report
Commodity bubble pops as China model changes
Printed money won’t save us MoneyWeek interview
The wave of immigration is a positive thing MoneyWeek video interview
Sep
Chemicals chaos
Europe’s migrant influx threatens Shengen BBC World Business Report interview
Jul
Supply chain revolution is on the way Video interview
Jun
Europe can win despite age trends
May
Business models have to change as BabyBoom dividend ends Video interview
Apr
A toxic combination for economic policy
Emerging markets: a Great Unravelling
Mar
‘No country for young men’ Nick Ferrari, LBC, radio interview
Low oil is here to stay
O peso da idade Interview in Portuguese
Oil prices have further to fall YouTube video interview
Feb
Oil price collapse brings deflation closer
Jan
Winners and losers in the New Normal
How to invest during the Great Unwinding MoneyWeek video interview by Merryn Somerset Webb
MoneyWeek feature article
Oil price collapse and China slowdown create New Normal world YouTube video interview
2014
Dec
Oil prices keep bouncing down the stairs A ‘pH Report’ Research Note
A great unwinding
Aging Europe needs the migrants it doesn’t want
Nov
Employment Outlook – getting back to work
The Great Unwinding is underway
Saudi Arabia needs much lower oil prices Research Note
Oct
Too many unanswered questions on China growth Financial Times
The Great Unwinding of policymaker stimulus is underway Research Note
Time to look forwards, not back
European companies and investors are missing a major growth opportunity video interview
Sep
China’s economic transformation
Jul
The economic impact of today’s major demographic changes Euromoney video interview
Jun
US housing hit by demographic shift
Here today and gone tomorrow? A simple guide to China’s world of trade finance
May
Geopolitics and demand
China accelerates reform of its financial sector Research Note
Apr
Population aging creates capital repayment risk for government bonds Allianz Project M magazine
US shale gas expansions highlight lack of demand YouTube interview
Mar
Will market forces start to play a role in China? Research Note
US boom is a dangerous game
Demographics drive demand, and fertility rates are falling
Feb
China bank lending: From $1tn to $10tn and back again Research Note
2013
Oct
Deal with union prevents closing of Scottish plant New York Times
Last-ditch scramble to save Grangemouth Financial Times front page headline story
Unite union to make last-ditch attempt to save plant and 800 jobs Daily Telegraph
This is the end of constant growth
Ageing populations create new opportunities YouTube interview
Sep
The tide is turning on chemical growth
Aug
Sinopec’s big picture strategy
A flap of a butterfly’s wings to freeze the UK economy
Fair play at work
Jul
Women in the US labour force
Ageing UK population will have lower economic growth
Population Problems Barron’s letter
Oil markets risk rapid repricing as Japan stimulates Research Note
Demography drives business volatility
Apr
The impact of the central banks’ stimulus programmes on oil markets Conference presentation
Ageing boomers change demand patterns
Mar
Sustaining Growth as the West Arrives at the Demographic Cliff Conference keynote presentation
Feb
Risks to growth overshadow ‘false dawn’ on financial markets
The impact of an ageing population on GDP UK Treasury Committee evidence
Jan
Global economy faces tough 2013
2013 Outlook – Challenges and Opportunities Video interview
Happy 55th Birthday, Mr and Ms Average BabyBoomer Financial Times
2012
Dec
MONEY WEEK video tutorial on the importance of demographics
Growth won’t save us, there won’t be any Money Week
Could 2013 be the year of BabyBoom doom?
CNBC Africa interview on the impact of the New Normal on demand patterns Video interview
Nov
Demographics slowdown hits company results
Industry must respond to changing demographics
Oct
The cost of growing old frugally Financial Times
US economy: Demographics the ‘silent witness’ RESEARCH NOTE
The global economy: Demographics the ‘silent witness’ RESEARCH NOTE
UK Economy: Demographics the ‘silent witness’ RESEARCH NOTE
Purchasing in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world
Central banks make the downturn worse
Major recession ahead warns leading industry consultant
Sep
Central banks will make global downturn worse RESEARCH NOTE
The New Retirement (US radio interview podcast)
How the West’s ageing population is already altering stock market returns
Jun
Auto sector needs new direction
A window on the outlook
Mar
New policies needed to restore growth
Chinese want affordability not luxury Financial Times letter
Feb
New ways of manufacturing will be vital (video interview)
A changing landscape – issues for manufacturers
Oil price highs mean trouble lies ahead
The products of the future – doing more with less
Jan
Welcome to Austeria
Policy makers should learn from their mistakes (video interview)
2011
Nov
Time to alter strategy (includes video interview)
BabyBoomers change the markets
Don’t rely on Asia to save the chemical industry (video interview)
The risks to China and India growth
Oct
Middle East companies aim to capture emerging markets
The outlook for Q4 and beyond (video interview)
Longer-term strategies needed
Sep
‘When I’m Sixty-Four’ (YouTube video interview)
‘When I’m Sixty-Four’
‘When I’m Sixty-Four’ (YouTube video interview)
Boom, Gloom and the New Normal – Chapter 5
The influence of demographics on future demand Interview
New Normal challenges firms to think differently
The golden age of the boomers is gone – for ever Financial Times letter
Aug
The world in 2021 (YouTube video interview)
The world in 2021
Boom, Gloom and the New Normal – Chapter 4
Jul
Boom, Gloom and the New Normal – Chapter 3
Oil prices distorted by Wall Street’s computer trading (YouTube video interview)
Oil prices distorted by computer trading
Future great chemical companies need long-term thinking
Jun
Chemical demand demographics are changing rapidly (YouTube video interview)
Boom, Gloom and the New Normal – Chapter 2
The financial crisis and the New Normal
China plastic demand slump may crimp Asian naphtha demand
May
Global economy entering New Normal (YouTube video interview)
The Challenges of the New Normal
Boom, Gloom and the New Normal – Chapter 1
Welcome to Austeria – 4 risks to chemical company profits
Apr
High oil price means chemicals market heading for major downturn (YouTube video interview)
Mar
Middle East uprising can impact your chemistry job
Jan
Time is Ripe to Plan for Uncertainty
Survive by Planning for Uncertainty YouTube video interview
INSIGHT – Taking Time to Consider Alternative Futures
Budgeting for Uncertainty – the New White Paper
2010
Dec
Crude likely to fall on slow economic growth
Petrobras leads project development in Latin America
Nov
Benzene buyers need to evaulate sourcing strategies YouTube video interview
Oct
NiTech wins ICIS Innovation Award Recovery is supply-driven YouTube video interview
Changes leave the markets in turmoil
Major changes underway in chemical markets YouTube video interview
Sep
Riskiness of bonds may be over-inflated Financial Times article
Aug
Dr Ralf Kuhlmann joins IeC
The real bottom line is what we need
Jul
View American Chemical Society webinar on the H2 Outlook
US Institute for Supply Management – summary of the mid-year White Paper Update
Jun
Petchem upturn may just be temporary respite
Budgeting for a New Normal
A mid-year White Paper Update
Apr
Strategies for success in the US petchem and polymer business YouTube Video interview
Be a winner, not a victim
Mar
The need for Innovation during the downturn YouTube Video interview
Feb
‘Budgeting for a New Normal’ White Paper (5MB)
Jan
Restocking not the same as Recovery
Paul Hodges’s chemical industry outlook YouTube Video interview
Prepare for the great petchem marathon
Recession prompts shift in chemical company strategies
2009
Dec
Downturn prompts chemical strategy shift
Nov
Bloomberg, ICIS reports on IeC Amsterdam Conference
Strong crude weighs on Asian chemicals demand
Sep
How to tell if your company is in financial trouble, or recovering
Reducing energy costs in the water industry
Jul
Chemicals sector struggles in recession
Apr
IeC’s Paul Hodges to judge annual ICIS Innovation Awards
Restocking begins but the downturn continues
Mar
Low-cost operation key to survival
Radio interview with IeC’s Paul Hodges
Interview summary
Feb
Domino effect fears over chemical industry
Coping with oil price volatility
Jan
The CEO’s checklist for survival
2008
Nov
Financial Times recognises IeC “warned of coming downturn”
European demand to be more robust in downturn
The “crystal blog” foresaw the global financial crisis
Oct
Petrochemicals: capacity crunch
Weaker oil prices – a mixed blessing
Sep
Credit crunch causes demand destruction (radio interview)
Polymer demand hit by credit crunch, over-capacity
Aug
Integration will be key
How significantly will the petchem world change?
Only the strongest will prosper
Jul
Capacity grows despite slowdown
A mood swing in aromatics
Jun
Chemicals feel the wind of change
Crunch time for non-integrated petchem producers
Mar
Europe chems get jitters due to weak dollar
Feb
How to run a business during a recession
2007
Nov
Farewell ICI
Chem makers can expect naphtha battle