Industry: Chemicals & Plastics

The dominant news in the chemical industry is the painful reality of excess capacity. Supply is so high that it’s crippling profitability, especially for European producers. But behind this supply crisis is an even more crucial question: What’s happening with chemical industry demand? There’s a growing sense that chemical demand growth is increasingly divorced from […]

In the October 2025 edition of the ADI Chemicals Newsletter, we begin by examining how POE and POP demand growth will continue in automotive, packaging, and renewable applications. Global demand for polyolefin elastomers (POE) and plastomers (POP) has grown steadily, driven by expanding use in packaging, polymer modification, and foam applications, with increasing adoption in […]

The early 1980s marked a turning point for the chemical industry with the emergence of single-site, homogeneous, or metallocene catalysts for polymer production. This single-site feature allowed for better control over polymer design, driving growth in specialty and engineered polymer applications. Ethylene- or propylene-based polyolefin elastomers (POE) and plastomers (POP) combine the properties of traditional […]

In the September 2025 edition of the ADI chemicals newsletter, we covered the major regulatory changes impacting plastics recycling in the U.S., which are creating both opportunities and challenges. This issue also highlighted several recent plant startups, including an ammonia plant by Cronus Chemicals in Illinois and an alkoxides facility by Evonik Industries in Singapore. […]

Last week, the annual Digitalization in Oil & Gas conference rolled into Houston, and I was grateful for the opportunity to speak at this always-excellent event hosted by our friends at the Energy Conference Network. The panel was charged to talk about building a digital-ready workforce, and I prepared by summarizing ADI Analytics’ consulting and research […]

Plastic waste management in the U.S. is undergoing major regulatory transformation. At the center of this change is advanced recycling, a group of chemical and thermal processes designed to complement traditional mechanical recycling by breaking down used plastics into the raw materials needed to make new plastics. Federal infrastructure programs, state-level policy shifts, and private […]

In the August 2025 edition of the ADI Newsletter, U.S. shale expertise is highlighted as a driving force behind global growth in unconventional oil and gas. Natural gas and LNG have become central to energy strategies worldwide, influenced by AI, data centers, energy security, and reshoring. Moreover, the plastics industry is rapidly evolving toward sustainability […]

ADI Analytics had a highly productive presence at the International Refining and Petrochemical Conference (IRPC) in Houston this October. Our CEO, Uday Turaga, attended this vital industry event, which focused on the latest advancements in technology, services, and operational strategies shaping the refining and petrochemical sectors. Turaga discussed the critical trends and strategic insights with […]

On June 27, 2025, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in Cactus Water Services, LLC v. COG Operating, LLC. It declared that produced water is oil & gas waste and therefore belongs to the hydrocarbon lessee i.e. oil & gas operator typically. This landmark decision clarifies that the right to produce oil & gas inherently includes […]

The plastics processing industry is undergoing a profound transformation. As global markets demand more sustainable, efficient, and digitally integrated manufacturing, the machinery that powers this sector is evolving rapidly. From injection molding to 3D printing, each technology is being reshaped by innovation, regulation, and shifting customer expectations. Exhibit 1. Plastic machinery companies and strategic initiatives […]

The European chemical industry is in the midst of a significant transformation, driven by a perfect storm of weak demand, persistently high energy costs, lingering overcapacity, and the disruptive impact of geopolitical factors like new tariffs. These challenging conditions are forcing major players to make tough decisions, resulting in a wave of strategic divestitures and painful plant closures across the […]

Europe’s chemical industry is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, marked by a surge in divestitures and plant closures. This challenging environment, driven by weak demand, persistently high energy costs, lingering overcapacity, and geopolitical pressures, highlights the sector’s declining competitiveness. Indeed, a recent Cefic study revealed that in 2023 and 2024 alone, chemical companies announced the closure of over […]