Industry: Commodity plastics

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 […]

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 […]

The oil & gas and chemical industries are at an inflection point. For years, growth was a given, but a new era, one characterized by a structural decline in capital and operational spending, is starting to take shape. Recent trends of slowing oil demand growth, oversupplied markets, and shrinking chemical margins as shown in exhibit […]

The United States has become a top player in global energy, especially in ethane exports. This position comes from its large domestic supply, good prices, and significant investments in export facilities, all supported by long-term contracts with international buyers. U.S. upstream and midstream players currently export about 0.5 million barrels per day (MMBPD) of ethane, which is […]

In the May 2025 edition of the ADI chemicals newsletter, we spotlight LyondellBasell’s dual-track investments in mechanical and chemical recycling, as shared at the 2025 ADI Forum. This issue also features key project assessments—ranging from catalyst markets to oilfield chemicals—alongside major plant announcements, closures, M&A moves, and feedstock supply contracts shaping the global chemicals landscape. […]

In the April 2025 edition of the ADI chemicals newsletter, we discussed how the chemical industry is prioritizing sustainability, exploring seven renewable electricity options. Globally, there was a mix of plant expansions and closures from ExxonMobil, Dow, and Mitsubishi Chemicals. M&A activity included KPS Capital acquiring INEOS resins, Shell selling its Singapore park, and Hexpol […]

In the March 2025 edition of the ADI chemicals newsletter, we covered how the plastics industry faced challenges in accurately measuring GHG emissions. This is crucial for effective sustainability efforts. Recent industry activities included plant expansions by Mangalore Refinery and Idemitsu Kosan, strategic mergers and acquisitions, and feedstock supply agreements ensuring material availability. However, plant […]

Resilience through innovation and strategic restructuring is laying the groundwork for a recovery in the chemicals industry. As companies pivot toward high-growth markets and adapt to global challenges, 2025 is expected to bring renewed optimism. Key trends to watch in 2025 include: The rest of this article is available to ADI Plus Essential subscribers. ADI […]

Piercen Hoekstra, Analyst, ADI Analytics, discussed the potential impact of President Trump’s proposed tariffs on the chemicals industry, including a 10% tariff on Chinese goods and a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. These tariffs, while less severe than initially proposed, could significantly increase costs for US chemical companies due to their reliance […]