Turning Crisis into Opportunity
Future demand for chemicals is no longer going to be based on a multiple of GDP growth. Instead, companies need to develop new offerings that help customers to ‘do more with less’.
recycling
Companies must respond to demographic destiny
Demographic changes are transforming the nature of demand in all major industries. The highly-profitable middle market is disappearing. Companies and investors need to abandon ‘business as usual’ strategies and refocus on these major changes.
Risks rise for petrochemical producers as trade tensions mount
Future Winners in today’s New Normal world will be those companies that realise that the key question is no longer, “Do we have low-cost supply?” It is instead “Do we have a customer who is willing and able to buy from us”.
Risks rise for petrochemical producers as trade tensions mount Read More
The Antwerp Declaration is set to transform Europe’s chemical industry
Restructuring, repositioning and rethinking are now essential for the industry’s survival.
The Antwerp Declaration is set to transform Europe’s chemical industry Read More
COP 28 needs to see words translated into action, as carbon emissions have to peak in 2025
“Every year of the baby steps we’ve been taking up to this point means that we need to be taking bigger leaps with each following year, if we are to stay in this race. The science is absolutely clear.”
COP 28 needs to see words translated into action, as carbon emissions have to peak in 2025 Read More
Companies must be bold and transform, as paradigm shifts reshape the business world
The paradigm shifts are already starting to impact most businesses. China is also changing, and will no longer power global growth. So there are no ‘Business as Usual’ options for the future. Instead, companies have to develop new business models for today’s New Normal world.
Companies must be bold and transform, as paradigm shifts reshape the business world Read More
“Houston, we have a problem” – China’s move to self-sufficiency a game-changer for the plastics industry
Essentially, China’s move to self-sufficiency, and the need to deal with the issue of plastic waste, means there is no ‘business as usual’ option. Winners and Losers are already starting to emerge, as companies react to the challenges of today’s New Normal world.
Plastics industry reaches ‘make up your mind time’ on recycling and single-use products
Doing nothing is no longer an option. The plastics industry has a game-changing opportunity to take a global lead in developing a circular economy. It now needs to focus on developing the new products and services needed to create the new business model.
Plastics industry reaches ‘make up your mind time’ on recycling and single-use products Read More
Stock markets on the brink as the end of ‘Presidential Cycle’ support looms
It seems highly likely that the Rebound rally is ending, and the market Downtrend is about to resume. Time spent on researching the paradigm shifts that will take us into the New Normal will likely prove very profitable for the future
Stock markets on the brink as the end of ‘Presidential Cycle’ support looms Read More
Recycling can secure the future for US chemical companies
We have reached the endgame for today’s business models. Management teams need to start thinking ‘out of the box’ and develop new business models and strategies for the New Normal world.
Recycling can secure the future for US chemical companies Read More
Plastics recycling starts to take off, and potential Winners & Losers emerge
Russia’s invasion has dramatically accelerated the need to transition from fossil fuels to renewables, and from single-use plastics to recycled product. In turn, this will create Winners & Losers. Some companies will decide to take advantage of the new opportunity. Others will continue to hope the issue will go away.
Plastics recycling starts to take off, and potential Winners & Losers emerge Read More
Europe sets new rules to boost plastics recycling, as Russia’s invasion highlights risks with fossil-fuel dependence
Last week’s UN Conference confirmed that curbs on the production of virgin plastics are clearly on the way. Plastics companies have the technology and expertise needed to make advanced recycling of plastics a major success. They now need to accelerate their commitment if they want to remain a growth industry for the future.
Europe’s plastics companies need to step up the pace on recycling if they want to stay in business
Europe’s plastic industry is at a critical turning point. Profitability is falling as the recession bites. But it cannot just cut back and hunker down. Instead, it has to take a lead in building major new recycling capacity, as current markets and feedstocks start to disappear.
IEA issue 10-point plan to cut oil demand – and promote Electric Vehicles and recycled plastics
These are difficult times, and there is no guarantee that they may not get worse. But they also remind us of the critical need to move beyond the Age of Oil, and develop more sustainable energy resources for the future.
UN Environment Assembly starts endgame for single-use plastics
Plastics recycling is set to become a major new industry, based on the need to use renewable carbon. As the Nova Institute has shown, there is scope to expand production by 15x by 2050. And so if plastics companies don’t get to work now, new entrants will quickly emerge to replace them.
UN Environment Assembly starts endgame for single-use plastics Read More
Plastics producers need to move to recycled feedstocks as Western refineries start to close
The new business models, based on using locally-produced recycled plastic feedstocks, are a ‘once=-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to create growth for decades to come.
PlasticsEurope calls for mandatory 30% recycling target for packaging by 2030
Now we need companies to step up to the plate, in alliance with their value chain and financial partners. Time is limited, and the industry must be able to demonstrate real progress before COP26 in November.
PlasticsEurope calls for mandatory 30% recycling target for packaging by 2030 Read More
UK business leaders call for plastic-free aisles in supermarkets
Consumers are starting to reject the use of single-use plastics, as this Financial Times letter from leading supermarket and business CEOs highlights. Business as usual is no longer an option for plastics producers, as I discussed on Monday. Sir, The
UK business leaders call for plastic-free aisles in supermarkets Read More