Industry: Polyolefins

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

At the 2025 ADI Forum, Ricardo Estrada, VP, Plastilene Group and Jan Kalfus, Director, Braskem joined moderator Panuswee Dwivedi, Project Manager, for polyolefins panel. They explore polyolefins market challenges like low operating rates and overcapacity amidst rising demand for sustainable solutions. The discussion highlights the economic viability of bio-based and recycled polyolefins and the role […]

Selecting the site for a new hydrogen project, chemicals plant, or renewable energy facility can be a long and rigorous process. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is driving investment into new energy transition projects, but location is often a critical factor in a project’s success. Whether it’s the company’s first, second, or hundredth facility, finding […]

In the 2024 October edition of the ADI chemicals newsletter, the chemical industry is saw substantial developments, with significant investments in new plants for ammonia, polyethylene, and specialty chemicals, alongside a growing focus on sustainable practices like green ammonia production and advanced recycling. Legal challenges, such as California’s suit against ExxonMobil, highlighted increasing scrutiny of […]

The greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of plastics continues to find attention with a recent report published by researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) in April 2024. In the past, this issue was looked at by McKinsey in July 2022 when they estimated life cycle GHG emissions of plastics. According to the LBNL report, in […]

In the September 2024 edition of the ADI chemicals newsletter, we covered on how the chemical and energy sectors are increasingly focused on sustainability. This was evidenced by strategic acquisitions like LyondellBasell’s purchase of APK for advanced recycling and new plant launches dedicated to green hydrogen and waste-to-ethanol production. Major companies, including Nouryon and Evonik, […]