Industry: Commodity plastics

The global chemical industry struggled in 2023. The year was marked by rising inflation rates and low demand from major markets. With China still in recovery, the growth the industry was hoping for never came to fruition. In 2024 we expect things to stay the course and see no drastic changes up or down in […]

One of the largest problems affecting the chemical industry in recent years has been the pressure to transition toward clean energy and reduce carbon emissions. More than 20 of the firms in the Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) Global Top 50 have made investments recently in sustainability or currently have sustainability projects in development. At […]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have gained significant attention due to their widespread use, persistence in the environment, and potential adverse health effects. A recent study on landfill leachate conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found PFAS in 95% of landfills. Based on these findings, in January 2023 the EPA announced that they […]

At FlexPO+ 2023 (now part of the ADI Forum), Richard Shaw, Director of Circular Economy & Sustainability at Americas Styrenics, discussed the company’s commitment to recycling and sustainability, as well as its perspective on the future of sustainable plastics. The discussion highlighted AmSty’s investment in polystyrene recycling, including the use of both dissolution and pyrolysis […]

At the 2023 FlexPO+ (now incorporated into the ADI Forum), Carlos Badiola, SVP of Engineering at Encina, discussed the company’s efforts to convert mixed plastic waste into basic chemical products, such as benzene, at its Pennsylvania facility. The discussion focused on Encina’s approach to advanced recycling, including its work in understanding different waste qualities and […]

At the 2023 FlexPO+ (now incorporated into the ADI Forum), Uday Turaga, CEO of ADI Analytics, provided a comprehensive outlook on the chemicals markets. Key topics included the challenges in capital investment for sustainability and recycling, especially amidst declining growth rates in overall industry capital expenditure. The discussion highlighted a projected shift in capex toward […]

At the 2023 FlexPO+ (now incorporated into the ADI Forum), Carlo Badiola, SVP, Engineering and Technology, Encina; and Richard Shaw, Director, Circular Economy & Sustainability, AmSty, joined moderator Uday Turaga, CEO, ADI Analytics, on the sustainability and recycling panel. Key topics included the global plastic treaty debate, the rise of diverse local and state regulations […]

At the 2023 FlexPO+ (now incorporated into the ADI Forum), Panuswee Dwivedi, Project Manager at ADI Analytics, shared insights into plastics recycling challenges. She projected that, despite ambitious recycling goals, virgin plastic demand would only decline by 3–4%, requiring substantial investment in infrastructure beyond recycling technologies. Many countries were already limiting polyethylene use through bans […]

After a tumultuous recovery in 2021, the global chemical industry was expecting a strong rebound in 2022. Feedstock supply constraints, high energy prices, and slowing economic conditions, however, dampened the industry’s performance in 2022.  A number of these challenges will persist and likely intensify in 2023 and continue to challenge the industry.  Key trends with […]

Polypropylene (PP) is the most used plastic after polyethylene and has made way into our daily lives ranging from packaging and food containers to clothing, furniture, and automotives. PP is made via polymerization of propylene in the presence of catalyst, and it has benefitted largely through the catalyst development efforts that began with Natta, who […]

Oil and gas companies are making decarbonization commitments that include mainly cutting Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions although they are under growing pressure to also cut Scope 3 emissions.  To this end, there is growing interest in understanding and benchmarking GHG emissions across the value chain from exploration and production through […]

Energy transition is driving new interest in biofuels. Hydrothermal liquefaction is an interesting pathway although it needs further development.