The Chemical Show: Business Conversations with Top Executives in Chemicals & Materials Industry (Victoria Meyer)

In this episode, Joshua Baca, Vice President of the American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division, shares how he got to where he is now, from working in politics to ending up with ACC. He believes that what he is doing now is fruitful, not just for him but for all of us in this society. He shares their advocacy strategies to help people better understand plastics’ advantages in key markets such as automotive, building and construction, packaging, and innovations that are helping address some of our world’s greatest sustainability challenges. They aim to have a hundred percent of plastic packaging to be recyclable by the year 2040. What are they doing, and how can they achieve this ultimate goal? Listen and find out!

This episode is sponsored by Net at Work.

Engage with your peers on these topics and more at www.thechemicalcommunity.com

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In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer talks with Karen Tkaczyk, director of Life Sciences Regulated and Enterprise Solutions at MasterWord to share more about her unique combination of industrial and service experience as she helps chemical, energy, and life science companies do business globally with minimal risk. Victoria and Karen discuss the importance of technical expertise in language translation services, talent shortages influenced by the pandemic, the impact of geopolitical events on translation services, and the importance of breaking through language barriers in business relationships.

Learn more about the following in this episode:

• The challenge of languages in Chemical and Material Science industry
• The role of translation in global businesses
• How the pandemic accelerated AI and Technology
• The Talent supply chain 
• Local language is critical to the Customer Experience
• Translation services as a risk mitigation tool

Translation and language services play a crucial role in bridging communication gaps in a globalized world. From helping businesses expand internationally, to ensuring safety compliance and protecting intellectual property, it's a fascinating and ever-evolving field. Join us this week to learn more!

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AI is a tool. It's obviously a very powerful tool... And so I think there is value in having some kind of framework for helping evaluate these things and looking at allowing people to make wise choices." - Ethan Mirsky

In this episode of The Chemical Show, we explore how NobleAI is revolutionizing the chemical industry by using science-based AI. As we learned, traditional AI approaches didn't work for this problem, so Noble's team focused on incorporating scientific laws, design constraints, and materials properties into a model that could provide relevant insights and understanding. 

Tune in as The Chemical Show welcomes Ethan Mirsky in this episode, who is the President of NobleAI, a company that focuses on accelerating product development with Science-Based AI. Ethan emphasizes the importance of customer data privacy, the benefits and potential negative effects of AI and algorithms, the importance of creating a framework to evaluate their use, and many more! 

Topics discussed this week:

• The problem with traditional AI approaches
• Importance of customer data privacy
• Role of AI in Science and Engineering
• Concerns and need for frameworks with AI
• Customer data and expertise in the modeling process
• NonleAI updates and goals

This is an exciting podcast episode to learn more about how science-based AI is changing the game in the chemical industry.

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Your customers are the key to strategic success.

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer delves into the importance of engaging customers early on to de-risk business strategy. Victoria shares valuable insights and strategies for effectively engaging customers and stakeholders during key business changes and decisions. Discussing the benefits of introducing a new product or service and involving customers early in the development process, Victoria explores the barriers and fears that may prevent business leaders from seeking customer feedback and provides strategies to overcome them. 

Learn more about the following in this episode:

• Why early Customer and Stakeholder Engagement matters
• Managing Risk - a key leadership role
• Engaging your customers to build ambassadors 
• Time is money: Ask the right questions early, to increase success later
• How to engage your customers

Using real-life examples from industry leaders like Shell and Ford Motor Company, Victoria emphasizes the need for customer and stakeholder engagement to inform decisions, test assumptions, and create successful strategies. Join Victoria for this insightful episode to learn how proactive customer engagement can help de-risk your business and build strong relationships with your target market.

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Additional links:

Focus: The manufacturing backlash: No factory in my backyard

Data-Based Insights Into The Customer Experience With Kevin Huntsman

Shell Chemicals

Ford Motor Company

While most chemical industry companies and business leaders were anticipating improvements by 2H23, it has proved to be a challenging quarter for most companies, leading into a challenging year. In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer explores why many companies are lowering full-year earnings outlooks and what’s driving current market conditions. 

Learn more about the following in this episode:

• Insights from 2Q23 chemical industry earnings reports
• Worst period of chemical inventory destocking since 2008-9
• Effect of sluggish economies in Europe and China
• Inflationary effects - slowing demand for consumer goods
• Strategies companies are using to respond to challenging market conditions

Join Victoria as she digs into the second quarter 2023 earnings reports, analyzing the challenges faced by chemical companies and searching for valuable insights. Victoria shares indicators for improvement on the horizon, the possibilities of a period of flat demand before a significant increase, as well as the expected inventory restocking.

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Additional links:

2Q23 Earnings Reports:

Huntsman 

Stepan

Eastman

Shell

BASF

Lanxess

Chemours

Phillips 66

ExxonMobil

Navigating the complexities of the energy transition, Mark Eramo from S&P Global Commodity Insights joins Victoria Meyer to shed light on balancing consumer demand, policy alignment, and sustainability in the chemical industry. Mark discusses the challenges of producing sustainable products that consumers will pay premiums for and emphasizes strategic collaboration between policymakers and industry leaders. 

Victoria and Mark converse about the transformative roles of diversity and AI in shaping the industry's future, the effects of geopolitical uncertainties on supply chains, and the anticipation of a pivotal market shift by 2025-26. They highlight the intricate journey of corporate transformation and share insightful advice on leadership and career progression within the chemical sector.  

Join us to learn more about the following topics this week: 

• Mark Eramo's career and industry engagement 
• What S&P Global Commodity Insights' origin story and what it is today 
• Lessons learned through managing and helping lead companies through transition 
• What S&P Global Commodity Insights brings to their customers today versus what they have done in the past.  
• Customer response to changes with S&P Global Commodity Insights 
• Biggest trends that are influencing the chemical industry today? 
• S&P Global's advice for their customers 
• Leadership advice from Mark Eramo 

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American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) to chat about his organization's efforts towards a circular economy and rail safety. Victoria and Chet discuss the importance of recycling and innovation, the challenges of reducing plastic waste, rail safety, the dual challenge of producing energy while maintaining sustainability, and the immense value and benefits of plastics.

Learn more about the following in this episode:

•  AFPM's top priorities
•  Storytelling in the chemical industry
•  UN Plastics Treaty
•  Education and Awareness of Advanced Recycling
•  The EPA's proposed draft strategy to prevent plastic pollution
•  Achieving a circular economy
•  Challenges with Rail Transportation

Chet emphasizes the importance of approaching plastics in a nuanced and balanced way, neither treating them as inherently good nor bad, but recognizing their essential role in modern life. Victoria and Chet also discuss the benefits of advanced recycling, which creates "pure feedstock" that can be reused in new products. Thompson expresses his optimism for progress within Congress to enhance public safety for rail and promote competition in the industry.

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AFPM sustainability report: https://afpm.org/data-reports/publications/sustainability-report

AFPM: https://afpm.org/

Progress: https://wemakeprogress.org/

Empower: https://empower.afpm.org/

“There are great entry points to talk about, to educate, to talk about where stuff is coming from and where it goes. That's what I'm really trying to do in the Column.” - Darius Mortazavi. Darius is the founder of The Column, an email newsletter that provides context and commentary on events in the industry at large—it’s an endeavor that he hopes will unite different sectors of the industry, and foster an online community. In this episode, Victoria and Darius talk about some invaluable insights into the chemical industry, the current trends through different mediums that many people use and have access to today, the importance of educating people who are interested in this space, and so much more!

Topics discussed this week:

• The origin story of Darius Mortazavi
• What made Darius interested in chemicals and led him to start The Column?
• Working in the industry versus what is expected based on education
• The inception of The Column
• The current and future changes in the industry
• The leverage of using social media and other online platforms 

Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.  And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.

This is a great and interesting conversation, so tune in!  

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Do you treat your B2B customers the same or personalize your engagement and their experience?

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer focuses on segmentation and personalization. B2B companies in the chemical industry often focus on organizational factors when segmenting their market. However, limited use of segmentation can leave both parties feeling unheard. By prioritizing customer relationships and serving them appropriately, companies can address specific needs in a unique and important manner. Victoria highlights the need for businesses to shift towards a more structured and customer-centric approach, using buyer personas to understand their customers' roles, drivers, and interests. 

Learn more about the following in this episode:

• The importance of using both Personalization and Segmentation with B2B customers
• Why Personalization is critical to creating value in B2B chemicals
• Four scenarios in applying segmentation and personalization and their impact
• Supplier-centricity vs. Customer-centricity

Discussing the challenges companies face in implementing personalization and the impact it can have on improving the customer experience, Victoria provides valuable insights into the importance of segmentation and personalization in creating business value and improving customer relationships. Join us this week as Victoria takes a deep dive into customer segmentation and its impact!

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From collaborating with major brands to navigating the challenges of sustainable product development and end-of-life solutions, Scott Bober, Senior VP of Global Sales at CJ Biomaterials joins host Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show to provide valuable insights into the ever-evolving world of sustainable chemicals and materials. CJ Biomaterials is a startup within CJ CheilJedang, the 7th largest conglomerate in Korea. Victoria and Scott discuss CJ’s recent acquisition of Metabolics, giving them an advantage in commercializing their product. 

Learn more about the following topics this week:

1. Helping companies meet ESG and Sustainability Standards through bio-packaging

2. Commercializing Sustainable Products 

3. Identifying Partnerships at different points in the value chain

4. Establishing internal processes in a startup business 

5. Bioplastics vs. cost

6. Finding customer and Consumer value in sustainable products

Victoria and Scott also discuss the challenges associated with consumer demand for sustainable products, lack of infrastructure for composting, and the cost of replacing widely used plastics. Sharing how CJ navigates challenges with specialty industrial marketing, Scott discusses their work in sustainability, involving government affairs, collaboration with internal food brands, and attending trade shows. Join us on this episode of The Chemical Show as we explore CJ's exciting journey in the chemical industry, their commitment to sustainability, and their vision for a more environmentally-friendly future.

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Ep 179 Show Notes  

Geopolitical shifts, economic challenges, and sustainability goals are reshaping the global chemical industry. John Richardson, senior consultant at ICIS, joins host Victoria Meyer to delve into the market's uncertainties and logistical issues affecting Europe, the repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine war, and the potential of developing markets like India and Africa. John sheds light on critical issues such as the demand-supply imbalance for commodity chemicals, Europe's struggle with high energy costs, and China's evolving role from a dominant importer to a potential major exporter of synthetic resins. 

Victoria and John also explore the wider scope of sustainability within the chemical industry, examining Europe's pursuit of a circular economy amidst complex regulatory landscapes and fluctuating geopolitical risks. They discuss the impact of demographic changes on consumer behavior, and the shifting focus towards eco-friendly products. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of the forces shaping the chemical market's future, from rising sustainability efforts to adapting strategic decisions in a dynamically changing global landscape. 

Join us to gain insights on the following topics this week: 

1. Chemical markets in the 2nd half of 2024 and leading into 2025 
2. Overcapacity and supply-demand imbalance 
3. China's economic slowdown and demographic changes have significantly impacted global chemical demand. 
4. The rising middle class in developing countries, including China, India, and others, has driven increased demand for chemicals and plastics 
5. Geopolitical tensions have disrupted supply chains, increased energy costs, and created uncertainty in the market 
6. Circularity struggles - infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, and feedstock availability 
7. 10 interconnected forces shaping the new global chemical landscape 
8. Big commodity chemicals winners and losers 

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Climb your ladder to growth and success by equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills to get there. When she was in college, April Yeager tried a co-op program, was eventually offered a position in a product development lab, and never would have guessed that she would be retiring 30 years later with the same company. She climbed up the corporate ladder through different opportunities that enabled her to gain a deeper understanding of business and personal growth. Now she is the Senior Vice President of Essential Ingredients. In this episode, she sits down for a conversation with Victoria Meyer to share her knowledge on the industry, including the critical things you should focus on. Listen and find your inspiration to grow with your business!

Thank you to our sponsor - Palmer Holland. 

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Discover how hiring for character and training for skills can cultivate a thriving company culture with Kris Maynard, executive chairman of Essential Ingredients. Kris joins host Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show this week to share insights on the importance of long-term sustainability, reflecting on his company’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming an employee-owned business. Kris discusses the transformative power of trusting relationships, transparent communication, and the strategic advantages of remaining privately owned. 

Additionally, Victoria and Kris explore the concept of a 100-year company, drawing parallels with historical craftsmanship in cathedrals, and discuss how Essential Ingredients' ESOP model has driven employee retention and engagement. Gain valuable advice for those entering the industry and understand how a purpose-driven approach can navigate modern challenges like supply chain issues and regulatory hurdles. 

Join us this week as Victoria and Kris discuss the following topics: 

• Essential Ingredients' origin story: Humble beginnings in a server closet 
• What makes Essential Ingredients different? 
• Partnership Alignment in one-to-one relationships 
• Essential Ingredients as a privately owned company - a rarity in the chemical industry 
• Building a 100-year company 
• Customer Experience at Essential Ingredients 
• Kris Maynard's leadership advice 

Other Links: 

April Yeager, Senior Vice President of Operations for Essential Ingredients, Episode 41: Moving Up the Corporate Ladder For Professional And Personal Growth With April Yeager

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Explore the dynamic landscape of digital transformation in the chemical industry with Pam Walker, the Director and General Manager of Data Intelligence, and Insights at UL Solutions, as she shares insights and strategies with host Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show. In this episode, Pam discusses the evolution of digital solutions in the chemical industry, drawing from her 20 years of experience and leadership in the field. From the challenges of digitization to the pivotal role of data quality and trusted partners in driving successful digital strategies, Pam offers valuable insights to help companies navigate the complexities of embracing digital technologies.

Victoria and Pam discuss the importance of strategic alignment and adoption in the industry and the challenges that hold companies back from realizing their digital potential. 

Join the conversation to gain perspectives on the unmet needs in digitization, the critical role of change management, and the exciting prospects for the chemical industry's digital future.

Join Victoria and Pam as they discuss: 

• Identifying unmet needs in the digitization space
• What's holding companies back from going digital?
• How digital helps companies outpace their competitors
• Understanding risk in digital
• Engaging employees in digital strategies and change management
• What's on the horizon for digital and chemicals

Killer Quote: "Dig the well before you're thirsty.” - Pam Walker

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What factors are driving petrochemical markets today?  Join this conversation between Victoria Meyer and industry-expert John Richardson of ICIS as they discuss the trends and influences on the Asian and global petrochemical markets.  Including:

• Excess capacity due to overbuilt olefins and polyolefins assets
• Global co-dependence on China for petrochemical consumption and demand growth
• China's shift to "mature" growth of 1-3% p.a. from "fast growth" 6-8% p.a.
• How leaders are handling economic and market challenges

Download John's latest analysis on petrochemical markets here. 

Killer Quote: "2024 and beyond will be a roller coaster ride for the industry, with China's dominance in global demand dictating the trajectory. The key will be for companies to navigate this landscape, whether they are giant international players or small local companies.” –John Richardson

Prior interviews with John:

Episode 102: China’s Aging Demographics and the Future of the Chemical Industry with John Richardson

Episode 79: How The China Market Affects Chemical Prices With John Richardson

Episode 36: How China’s Response To Chemicals Is Affecting the World With John Richardson of ICIS

Episode 22: Understanding Market Demand To Manage Your Business Amid Uncertainty With John Richardson

Sharing valuable insights on strategic partnerships, Rob van der Meij, a partner at Capricorn Partners joins host Victoria Meyer for the final installment of this series, citing successful collaborations like Econic’s partnership with Unilever and Monument Chemical, and the significance of balanced, non-competing alliances.  

Gain a deeper understanding of the venture capital process in green chemistry and how startups drive innovation where large corporates might hesitate. Discover the essential steps for assessing potential investments and the importance of diverse perspectives on boards to foster long-term success and sustainability in the industry. 

Join us this week as Victoria and Rob discuss the following topics: 

• Partnering criteria in chemical industry VC 
• Board Diversity and Corporate Vision 
• Capricorn Partners' Investment Strategy and their approach to VC 
• The role of leadership in driving success 
• Next steps for investors and investment funds: how to get involved with VC 

Other Links:

Tom van Aken, Avantium: Commercializing New Technologies For A Sustainable World With Tom Van Aken Of Avantium 

Corey Tyre of Trillium: Scaling Up Sustainable Chemistry: Trillium’s Path to Green Acrylonitrile Technology with Corey Tyree 

James Gibson, Void Technologies: Neil Burns, James Gibson, And Jon Timbers On Creating A Greener Planet With Sustainable Innovation 

Keith Wiggins Econic Technologies: From Carbon Emissions To Valuable Raw Material With Keith Wiggins of Econic Technologies 

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Wondering how we produce our podcast? 

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria 
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Sharing insights on the complexities of managing global chemical businesses, Patty Summers, Global Business Director at Zeochem, joins host Victoria Meyer on this episode of The Chemical Show. Patty, drawing from her extensive experience in the molecular sieve industry, discusses how Zeochem navigates diverse regional markets through strategic partnerships with distributors and agents. She shares valuable insights about doing business in India's ethanol market, where government initiatives and unique funding structures significantly impact project timelines, and explains the critical importance of having local presence and understanding cultural nuances in different regions.

*** Download our Guide to Seven Trends Influencing the Chemical Industry through 2030 at https://thechemicalshow.com/7trends/ ***

Victoria and Patty discuss how mid-sized chemical companies can effectively balance global strategy with local execution, particularly in today's challenging market conditions. Summers discusses the role of sustainability in different regions, noting how natural gas continues to serve as a bridge fuel in the energy transition. Victoria and Patty also make note of the potential impact of changing trade policies and tariffs, particularly regarding U.S.-China trade relations, and how companies like Zeochem are adapting their sourcing and market strategies in response. Patty emphasizes the importance of maintaining consistent long-term strategies while remaining adaptable to regional market dynamics and regulatory changes. 

Join us to learn more about the following topics this week: 

• Global Business Partnerships: The importance of distributors and agents
• Cultural considerations in international markets, focusing on India and the Middle East 
• India's ethanol market and project-based business management  
• Sustainability and Clean Energy Transition: Natural gas as a bridge fuel 
• Trade Policy Impact: Discussion of tariffs and their effects on global business 
• Regional market strategy and managing business across diverse global markets 

Other links:  

Confronting Change In The Chemical Industry: Discussing Leadership And Sustainability with Patty Summers 

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Ep 178 Show Notes - How Collaboration, Customers, and Community Contribute to Sustainability

Uncover the impactful stories behind the winners of American Chemistry Council’s 2024 Sustainability Leadership Awards, as host Victoria Meyer dives into projects from Celanese, PPG, and DuPont. Kevin Norfleet from Celanese shares insights on their Carbon Capture and Utilization Project, a breakthrough in emissions reduction that won them the Circularity Award. Meanwhile, Garry Grant from PPG discusses their climate-friendly innovations in automotive coatings, a project that earned the Climate Award. 

Mary Reinthal from DuPont highlights their Clear Into the Future grant program, showcasing how DuPont is fostering community engagement and social responsibility across the globe. From land restoration in Michigan to urban forestry in Seoul, their initiatives reflect a deep commitment to societal and environmental betterment.  

Join us to gain insights on the following topics this week: 

• The why behind Celanese's CCU project, winner of ACC's Circularity Award 
• Fitting into the circular space with CO2 circularity 
• How PPG is reducing the energy intensity in the automotive paint shop with their new paint line, winning ACC's Climate award 
• Opportunities to reduce power usage and CO2 production by taking it a different approach to paints and coatings and adhesives that go into automotive processes. 
• Dupont's Clear into the Future project funding nonprofit organizations to work on sustainable development initiatives in the communities, winner of ACC's Social Responsibility and Community Engagement Award 
• Creating community and local connection as employees of a Global company 

Additional Links: 

ACC’s 2024 Sustainability Leadership Awards Episode Part 1: Driving Innovation in Recycling: Inside ACC’s Sustainability Awards with Cyclyx and EFC Gases 

Chris Jahn: Sustainability Starts with Chemistry with ACC CEO Chris Jahn 

Michael Heinz: BASF CEO Michael Heinz on Sustainability, Energy, and Leadership 

Bonny Tully: Achieving Success in Chemicals: Sustainability and Leadership with Bonnie Tully of Evonik 

Daryl Roberts: Careers, Care, and The Future of Chemicals with Daryl Roberts of DuPont 

Kevin Norfleet: Carbon Capture and Customer Value with Kevin Norfleet of Celanese

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Finding top talent is getting harder, and the chemical industry is not immune to this phenomenon. Here to unpack and offer solutions to this problem is Ron Malachuk. Ron is a Partner in the Chicago office of JM Search and a core member of the firm’s Chemicals and Materials practice. With vast experience in executive search, he joins Victoria Meyer to share some wisdom on how companies should adapt to this supply-demand imbalance for top talents. More than just attracting and hiring top talent, Ron also touches on why companies should focus on retention and how to do that. Get valuable business advice to boost your business and learn how chemical companies can elevate themselves in the competitive market by listening in on their discussion.

This episode is sponsored by Net at Work.

Engage with your peers on these topics and more at www.thechemicalcommunity.com

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Sustainability and carbon reduction are key focus areas of the chemical industry. Many countries and companies have Net Zero targets to support a more sustainable future, including decarbonization.  Innovation is critical.     One of the key innovators in decarbonization is Syzygy Plasmonics and its co-founder Trevor Best.

In this episode, Victoria Meyer speaks with Trevor Best, CEO of Syzygy Plasmonics about the importance of decarbonization and the innovations that Syzygy is bringing to the chemical industry. 

Victoria and Trevor discuss: Syzygy’s founding from technology-based at Rice University, the importance of hydrogen, and the role of light and energy in the chemical industry.  And, the focus on green chemical manufacturing. 

This episode of The Chemical Show is packed with valuable information that you don’t want to miss. So make sure to listen to this podcast. Tune in! 

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Amid a dynamic global landscape, the specialty chemical industry is navigating challenges and opportunities with “pragmatic confidence”. Join host Victoria Meyer and guest Jennifer Abril, CEO of SOCMA, as they explore the thriving specialty chemical industry and SOCMA's pivotal role in fostering connections and collaboration. With a focus on domestic production, Jennifer discusses SOCMA's initiatives to streamline business interactions, advance policy advocacy, and support supply chain adjustments in a changing world. The SOCMA theme, "Adapting Supply Chains for a Changing World," highlights their commitment to advancing innovation and growth in North America. 

Victoria and Jennifer discuss the current industry outlook, emphasizing the need for efficiencies and growth amidst global shifts. They discuss the intentional focus on onshoring and reshoring, reflecting the evolving supply chain dynamics. Jennifer also shares insights from SOCMA's recent survey, revealing trends of optimism tempered with pragmatism. The episode offers a comprehensive overview of how SOCMA is driving North America's positioning as a prime hub for specialty chemical manufacturing, underscoring the potential for growth and innovation in this resilient industry sector. 

Join us on this week’s episode to learn more about these topics: 

• SOCMA's history and purpose 
• North American chemical industry outlook: "Pragmatic Confidence" 
• Purposeful localization and reshoring trends 
• Regulatory and administrative challenges 
• Industry networking and collaboration 

Subscribe to The Chemical Show on YouTube 

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Explore the dynamic landscape of the chemical industry as host Victoria Meyer delves into six key trends that will shape 2024 and 2025. From ever-changing supply chain dynamics and shifting customer engagement mechanisms to the impacts of global economics and geopolitics, Victoria provides an insightful analysis of the factors driving the industry forward. 

This episode offers a deep dive into the role of digitization and AI, ongoing labor challenges, and how innovation is being influenced and hampered by regulation. With valuable insights into how industry leaders can navigate these trends, this episode is a must-listen for chemical professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with peers and discuss these trends further at the upcoming Chemical Summit. 

Join us to learn more about the following topics this week: 

1. Supply chain as a dynamic part of the chemical industry. 
2. Engaging with customers: The rise of digital natives in leadership 
3. Politics, policies, and wars influencing trends in the chemical industry 
4. An acceleration of analysis and answers - data driven decision making 
5. Labor challenges post Covid 
6. Innovation influenced by regulation 

“This is the decade of supply chain... Supply chain today more than ever is a dynamic part of the chemical industry. Decision making, resiliency, all of those things are critical.” - Victoria Meyer 

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Exploring the crucial role of resilience in both personal and professional contexts, host Victoria Meyer delves into how businesses and individuals can adapt, recover, and ultimately thrive amid unexpected challenges.  

Victoria breaks down the concept of resilience, distinguishing it from business continuity planning and emphasizing its emotional and adaptive components. She shares practical tips on building resilience, such as embracing mistakes, fostering accountability, and planning responses to potential setbacks.  

Tune in to gain insights on nurturing resilience within yourself and your team as you navigate the unpredictable landscape of today's business world. 

Victoria discusses the following topics this week: 

• Why business resilience matters 
• Current events causing upheaval 
• Can Resilience be taught? 
• The importance of a Growth Mindset 
• 3 Strategies to Enhance Business Resilience 
• What can leaders do to instill resilience 

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• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t 

Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, discusses what propels the chemical industry forward amid global challenges. From regulatory challenges to sustainability initiatives and the characteristics that define impactful leadership, this episode of The Chemical Show spans several pressing topics that are top-of-mind for every business leader today.

Host Victoria Meyer talks with Chris at the ACC's Responsible Care and Sustainability Conference where Chris elaborates on the importance of sustainability, regulatory challenges, and the significance of the upcoming UN Plastics Treaty negotiations. Victoria and Chris also discuss the role of AI and data analytics in enhancing operational efficiency and regulatory processes. 

Victoria also shares key insights from the conference. 

Access ACC's Sustainability Report here.

Join Victoria and Chris as they discuss the following:

• Key insights from ACC's Responsible Care and Sustainability Conference
• Four strategic pillars of ACC
• Member collaboration and association leadership at ACC
• Update on UN Plastics Treaty negotiations
• Introducing ACC's first Sustainability Report
• Characteristics of great leadership

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
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Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t

On this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer is joined by Peter Hanik, President and Founder of Pretium Innovation. Victoria and Pete discuss the importance of innovation in the chemical industry, as well as strategies for problem-solving and understanding customer needs. 

Learn more about the following in this episode:

• Innovation in the chemical industry
• Crafting a long-term career in chemicals 
• "Type Three" Problems and Solutions 
• Adapting to cultural differences in a global career 

Sharing his 50+ years experience in the chemical industry, Pete offers valuable insights into problem-solving and innovation in the chemical industry, as well as strategies for understanding and addressing customer needs in a sustainable way.

Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.

Check out Peter Hanik’s book, Type 3 Solutions: Problem Solving for Competitive Advantage: https://amzn.to/440uirc

In collaboration with industry giants and support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Enko Chem is revolutionizing the agricultural industry by accelerating the development of safer and more effective herbicides, disease protection, insect control, and yield enhancement solutions. 

Tom Meade, Chief Science Officer at Enko Chem joins host Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show to share insights on their target-based discovery platform, the importance of data in their research, and the challenges and advantages of integrating DNA and chemistry.

Killer Quote: "In order to revolutionize crop protection chemistries, we need to embrace the power of data, technology, and collaboration. By combining these elements, we can accelerate the development of safe and effective solutions that address the challenges facing our agriculture industry." - Tom Meade

Join us to learn more about the following this week:

• Chemistry's key role in global agricultural industry, food security, and crop protection
• Target based discovery in agricultural , leveraging techniques built in pharma
• Utilizing data and AI in the agricultural industry 
• The role of regulators including EPA and USDA in AgChem
• Prioritizing safety in agricultural innovation

In this episode, Victoria and Tom delve into Enko's mission to shorten the development timeline for crop protection chemistries while exploring the challenges and advantages of their target-based discovery platform, which aims to identify specific targets for herbicides and pesticides. Tom also shares the importance of data in Enko's research and development process, as well as their use of automated systems and machine learning models. 

This episode is sponsored by Clariant. Are you grappling with the lightning pace of regulatory and compliance changes in the printing inks industry? Do you want to know more about PFAS, supply chain transparency and extended producer responsibility? Check out Episode 137 of The Chemical Show to learn about PTFE-free solutions with Clariant and NAPIM. 

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at www.thechemicalshow.com. 

Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• Transistor.fm is our podcast publisher of choice. Try it for free here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=DdZ2MA
  
  

Exploring strategies that foster a culture of success for women in the chemical industry, host Victoria Meyer shares insights from previous guests on The Chemical Show. Victoria explores women’s perspectives on business leadership and culture in the chemical industry.  

In this episode, Victoria features discussions on practical strategies for building diversity, such as focusing on inclusion, establishing early connections with universities, and creating mentorship programs. Emphasizing the importance of recognizing and leveraging the unique skills of individuals, Victoria shares more about how to promote empathy in the innovation process, and create a workplace culture that supports collaboration and customer satisfaction. 

The diverse experiences and insights shared by the speakers provide valuable perspectives on shaping a successful and inclusive future for women in the chemical industry.

• Laying the foundation for early STEM engagement for girls
• Addressing the challenges of diversity in the chemical industry
• Engaging universities and creating support through mentorship programs
• Recognizing and utilizing transferable skills
• Utilizing empathy in innovation
• Emphasizing the importance of collaboration and being part of the whole
• Stressing the importance of customer alignment 

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
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***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com 

Additional Links:

68. On Creating a Unique Culture, Digital Transformation, and Sustainability in the Chemical Industry with Jennifer McIntyre and Kelly Gilroy, Univar Solutions 

75. How AdvanSix Is Winning The Market With Sarah Waller

88. Building an Inclusive Culture with Dr. Lauran Star

90. How CEPSA Uses Customer Insights Drive Transformation with Juliana Pantalena

93. Creating a Robust Employee Value Proposition at Palmer Holland with Jaycie Bradshaw

96. Increasing Demand of Biotechnology in Cleaning with Rashda Khan of Barentz

111. Mitigating Risk in Chemicals Through Language Translation with Karen Tkaczyk

Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
  
  

Navigating the complexities of sustainability in the chemical industry requires partnerships, open communication, patience, and a positive, collective focus. Karin Krchnak, an environmental lawyer by training and the Managing Director of Sustainability at the American Chemistry Council (ACC) joins host Victoria Meyer to talk about the strides being made towards a greener future and the synergy between climate goals and water stewardship. 

Victoria and Karin discuss the innovations shaping the chemical industry, the rise of sustainability roles, and share personal tales of mentorship and career evolution.

Learn more about the following this week:

• Keys to building alignment across numerous stakeholders
• Chemical industry's role as "solutions enablers" in the energy transition.
• Important of water stewardship and understanding water risk
• 3 P's to carving a career in the chemical industry: patience, perseverance, and passion
• Future STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI)

Killer quote: "Collaboration is essential; whether we're talking about climate change, water stewardship, or innovation in the chemical industry, we need to leave egos at the door, practice patience, and maintain open communication for a sustainable future." - Karin Krchnak 

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com 

Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t
  
  

'Customers are always going to say, oh, the reason that we don't do business with you is your price. That’s BS. Price is not the reason. It’s a good excuse.   It’s your job to find the real reason."

A question that has come up recently:   “Why are we the last choice for a specific customer?   They call us when they’re in crisis and we help them out.  Then, nothing.   How do we move to being a first-choice or regular supplier?”

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer explores why some companies are the last-choice supplier for their target customers and provides specific tactics on how to become a first-choice supplier instead. She discusses the various factors that contribute to a company's status as a last-choice supplier, including timing, limited offerings, poor reputation, and corporate fit. By understanding their target customers' business and procurement strategy, fixing any issues in their offering, and demonstrating improvement and value, companies can become a first-choice supplier, rather than a last-choice one.

Our Thursday episodes will address key questions from listeners and strategic or tactical topics of relevance to chemical industry leaders.

Have a question that you’d like addressed on a future episode?   Send Victoria a direct message on LinkedIn or Instagram.   

For more information, check out www.thechemicalshow.com

Ep 165 Show Notes - Achieving Success in Chemicals: Sustainability and Leadership with Bonnie Tully of Evonik

Bonnie Tully, North American President of Evonik, joins host Victoria Meyer to tackle Responsible Care®, the ambitious strides in sustainability, and the transformative shifts in industry culture. Bonnie shares compelling insights and actionable strategies this week on The Chemical Show. 

This episode is a masterclass in leadership, sustainability, and making big impacts through small steps, all while navigating the ever-evolving demands of the chemical industry. Don't miss Bonnie's take on fostering an innovative culture and her empowering advice for the next generation of industry leaders!

This episode was recorded at the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference. 

Victoria and Bonnie discuss the following:

• Responsible Care principles at Evonik
• Evonik's sustainability pillars: next-generation solutions, technology, and culture.
• Customer demand for sustainable solutions
• Cultural shift towards sustainability within Evonik and employee engagement.
• Women in leadership roles & Bonnie's career advice

Killer Quote: "It's really the employees seeing sustainable opportunities and bringing them forward... and then management saying, hey, we see a business case here and pushing the organization to work towards sustainability." - Bonnie Tulley

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com 

Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t
  
  

“Understanding your value, driving value, and demonstrating it creates opportunity and creates growth, especially in times of market softness." - Victoria Meyer

On this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer discusses the importance of getting back to basics and understanding a company's unique value in order to thrive during market softness. She highlights the story of a materials company that successfully increase sales by emphasizing their value in use to customers.  She also discusses the importance of regularly revisiting marketing strategies and market segmentation to adapt to changing market dynamics.   

Listen in to this episode to learn about:

• Diving deeper to understand value to your customers
• The importance of demonstrating value to customers
• Customer and market segmentation – why you need to revisit it quarterly
• Considering alternatives including make-v-buy decisions. 

This episode serves as a helpful guide for businesses looking to navigate market softness and build resilience by focusing on their unique value and understanding the needs of their customers. 

For more insights, visit www.thechemicalshow.com.

Have a question or topic you’d like addressed?  DM Victoria (King) Meyer or The Chemical Show podcast on LinkedIn. 

There's a significant evolution in consumer behavior and chemical industry priorities.  Digitizing complex chemical data from unstructured documents to provide a more accessible online format raises an intriguing question - how can we leverage technology to reshape customer engagement and the overall landscape of customer interactions within the chemical industry? 

Exploring these challenges and opportunities in digitizing complex chemical data for customer understanding and engagement, host Victoria Meyer welcomes Ali Amin-Javaheri, co-founder and CEO of Knowde, for an insightful discussion on the digital transformation of the chemical industry. Victoria and Ali delve into the intersection of technology, sustainability, and customer relationships, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of ESG reporting, digital investments, and the potential for reshaping customer engagement in the chemical industry.

Killer Quote: "Digitization in the chemical industry is not just about transforming data; it's about transforming relationships." - Ali Amin-Javaheri

Join us to learn more about the following this week:

• Creating a compelling a customer experience through accelerating digitization
• Biggest barriers to digitization within chemical companies and chemical industry leaders
• Organizing data through AI
• Overcoming the loss of customer intimacy through digitization
• How can digitization support a company's sustainability journey?

With a passion for both technology and the chemical industry, Ali observed the lack of digital transformation and revenue within the industry, leading him to launch Knowde in 2016. Knowde's mission is to fast-track the digital revolution in the chemical industry, addressing the challenge of translating complex chemical data from documents into an accessible online format.

This episode is sponsored by Clariant. Are you grappling with the lightning pace of regulatory and compliance changes in the printing inks industry? Do you want to know more about PFAS, supply chain transparency and extended producer responsibility? Check out Episode 137 of The Chemical Show to learn about PTFE-free solutions with Clariant and NAPIM. 

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at www.thechemicalshow.com. 

Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• Transistor.fm is our podcast publisher of choice. Try it for free here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=DdZ2MA

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer interviews Kevin Yttre, Managing Director at Grace Matthews, an investment bank that exclusively focuses on the chemicals and materials industries, assisting with mergers, acquisitions, and capital raises. Kevin shares valuable insights about the world of M&A, explaining M&A strategies, the role of ESG credentials, recent slowdowns in the industry, success factors in transactions, and much more.

Topics you can expect to learn more about in this episode:

• The Role of Investment Banking in M&A
• Influence of current economic environment on M&A Activity in Chemicals and Materials
• Historical and current multiples in chemicals M&A
• M&A strategies for chemicals and materials companies
• Advice for buyers and sellers today
• The role of Sustainability and ESG in transactions today

Join Victoria and Kevin as they delve into the world of M&A transactions and discover the critical factors to consider when buying or selling a business in the chemicals and materials industry.

Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.

Check out Grace Matthew’s latest M&A newsletter including insights on transaction multiples.

How does the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers advocate for the chemical industry? Victoria Meyer talks with Rob Benedict, the Senior Director of Petrochemicals, Transportation, and Infrastructure for American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM). Rob shares the key initiatives and focus for AFPM. Rob discusses its position on creating greater competition in railroads and transportation, to be more competitive and effective for the chemical industry, including its recent engagement with the Surface Transportation Board. The role of AFPM in supporting industry sustainability, including advanced recycling. And, its engagement with other industry groups to provide an effective platform and advocacy for the chemical industry. If you want to learn what’s next, join in the conversation.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

Discover how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the chemical industry as Ned Weintraub, Chief Revenue Officer at NobleAI, joins host Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show to delve into the unique challenges and transformative opportunities AI presents. NobleAI’s commitment to harnessing AI for problem-solving and data-driven innovation could be the key to unlocking new levels of productivity and sustainability in the field. 

Victoria and Ned explore the pivotal role of science-based AI in accelerating product development, tackling the complex landscape of data management, and the critical importance of data privacy within this high-stakes domain. This episode offers invaluable insights for industry professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving landscape where science meets AI innovation.

Find out more about these topics: 
Drivers and challenges of innovation in the chemical industry

• The "graying" of the chemical industry and what that means for innovation
• Data security and privacy in AI applications
• The role of science-based AI in the chemical industry
• Addressing supply chain risks and customer concerns and adoption of AI
• What's next for AI and innovation in the chemical industry

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com 

Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1

The housing market plays a crucial role in career moves. As it becomes more expensive to find affordable housing, employees are less likely to take on job changes or accept nominal raises. Companies are realizing the need to address this issue and its impact on talent retention.

In this episode of The Chemical Show, we delve into the fascinating intersection between the chemical industry employment and housing costs. Join host Victoria Meyer as she interviews Adam Krueger, Vice President of Sun Recruiting, who provides invaluable insights and analysis. Discover how changes in the housing market impact job mobility, compensation trends, and talent retention in the chemical industry. Uncover the challenges faced by professionals and gain actionable strategies to navigate these complex dynamics. 

Join us to learn more about the following this week:

• "Weird" 4th Quarter job market in the chemical industry
• How is the housing market affecting the chemical industry job market
• Key trends in talent and recruiting in the chemical industry
• Expanding the chemical sector's talent pool
• The cost of keeping employee verses replacing them
• Hybrid work critical driver in employee decisions 
• The rise of Gen Z in the workforce
• Advice to chemical companies looking to fill roles
• Advice to candidates looking to land chemical company jobs

Victoria and Adam also discuss the challenge of attracting and retaining talent in a talent war due to the retirement of experienced professionals. Additionally, Adam highlights the importance of salary competitiveness, remote work opportunities, and the evolving social skills of Gen Z employees. Whether you're a job seeker navigating the industry or an employer looking to adapt to changing trends, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the state of the chemical industry job market.

Additional Links:

https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/your-money-matters/how-mba-students-are-dealing-with-a-tighter-job-market/

Salary Survey:  https://www.sunrecruiting.com/report-results23/

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear?   Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at www.thechemicalshow.com. 

Exercising good commercial discipline is critical to business resilience and navigating the challenges of today's economy.

Over the next 3 episodes, host Victoria Meyer will be diving deep into approaches that chemical companies are taking to combat the market weakness we've seen in the first half of this year (for more on this, check out Episode 118 where I review 2Q23 earnings reports).   Victoria’s topic this week: Commercial Discipline

Victoria dives into the concept of commercial discipline and how it can help companies optimize resources, control costs, and maintain strong market positions. Unpacking various approaches that companies are taking, touches on the following strategies for commercial discipline:

• Cost optimization as a key component of commercial discipline
• Controlling the right costs and understanding value through cost clarity
• Cashflow management
• Business efficiency and optimization through automating and streamlining processes
• Prioritizing & optimizing products and solutions

Exploring the concept of control and clarity as essential components of commercial discipline, Victoria emphasizes the need to focus on the right costs and gain a deep understanding of actual costs rather than relying on assumptions. Discussing the role of cash flow management in improving financial stability, Victoria explores strategies for optimizing business efficiency and supply chains. Additionally, Victoria highlights the significance of prioritizing and optimizing products to drive growth and profitability. Don't miss this episode packed with actionable strategies to enhance your company's commercial discipline.

Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.

Curious about the latest developments and trends in the surfactants and cleaning industry? Learn more about the key themes discussed at the 2024 American Cleaning Institute (ACI) annual meeting and understand their implications for your business with host Victoria Meyer. With over 1300 attendees from the cleaning industry, the event emphasized the importance of driving innovation and transformation in the industry. Victoria dives into the impact of supply chain, the integration of AI, the shift towards market-centric business transformation, the continuation of green initiatives, and the challenges posed by tightening regulations.

This week’s episode of The Chemical Show highlights the major takeaways from the 2024 ACI annual meeting, providing valuable insights for professionals in the chemical and cleaning industry. From the resurgence of formulation innovation to the increasing focus on bio-based products and the impact of tightening regulations, Victoria’'s summary offers a comprehensive overview of the industry's current landscape, presenting opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for industry professionals.

Join Victoria as she elaborates on the following topics:

• ACI's 2024 conference theme: Advancing Cleaning Innovation
• Insights on six key themes from ACI 2024
• The impact of innovation in the cleaning industry
• Monitoring tightening regulations and their impacts
• Trends shaping the chemical business landscape

Additional Links:

Episode 99: Using AI to Accelerate Product Innovations & Sustainability with Ethan Mirsky

Download:  Best Practices on Using AI in Your Business

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com 

Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=DdZ2MA

Wrap up the year with the best of The Chemical Show! Host Victoria Meyer reflects on 2024 by spotlighting the top five episodes, sharing fun facts about the global audience, and revealing the intriguing listening habits of chemical enthusiasts. From the impact of global markets and sustainability advancements to the significance of strategic timing and audience engagement, this episode offers a comprehensive review of the podcast's most compelling moments and influential guests. 

Uncover insights from industry leaders like John Richardson, Eric Appelman, and Garab Chakrabarti, while also exploring fascinating data about what makes The Chemical Show listeners unique. With highlights on market outlooks, timely news, and shared episodes, Victoria provides a captivating rewind of the year. Plus, get your hands on the top 10 leadership lessons and the seven trends guide for 2024 — your perfect year-end gifts! 

Join us to learn more about the following topics this week: 

• Listener demographics including where and how they engage 
• Top audio episode 
• Top video episode 
• Most shared episodes 
• Most frequent guest 
• Episode prompting the most phone calls 
• What it takes to be a top 5 episode 

Other links:  

Download: 10 Leadership Lessons for Chemical Executives 

Download: 7 Trends Shaping the Future of the Chemical Industry 

Ep 144: Petrochemicals in 2024: Capacity Overbuild and Codependent Markets with John Richardson of ICIS 

Ep 145: 2024 Chemical Market Outlook with Steve Lewandowski of Chemical Market Analytics 

Ep 188: How To Scale Sustainable Technology with Eric Appelman of Aduro Clean Technologies 

Ep 179: How the Global Chemical Market is Shifting with John Richardson of ICIS 

Ep 169: Decarbonizing the Chemical Industry with Solugen CEO Gaurab Chakrabarti 

Ep 148. Exploring Sustainable Technologies and Green Chemicals with with Eric Bober of NexantECA 

Ep 170. Future of Green Methanol: Challenges and Opportunities with Eric Bober 

Subscribe to The Chemical Show on YouTube. 

Explore the relationship between the chemical industry and energy in this discussion with Mike Kolodner, the US Energy and Power Leader and Global Renewable Energy Leader at Marsh.  Victoria Meyer and Mike discuss the energy transition, the realities of energy consumption, and the role of chemical products in supporting renewable technologies. Discover how the energy demands of industrial sectors, including chemicals, shape the broader energy landscape, and the critical need for informed policymaking to address these challenges. 

Victoria and Mike also discuss perspective on Peter Huntsman, CEO of Huntsman Corporation, keynote at the conference.     Plus, the complexities and unintended consequences of energy policies, especially in Europe, and how these impact global businesses. Related episodes:  

https://thechemicalshow.com/critical-business-risks-in-2025-and-how-to-mitigate-insights-from-marsh/ 

https://thechemicalshow.com/dragos-ceo-robert-lee-on-bridging-the-gap-in-ot-cybersecurity-for-critical-industries/ 

https://thechemicalshow.com/peter-huntsman-discusses-innovation-leadership-and-regulatory-environments-in-chemicals/ 

Be sure to check out the full episode to learn more about: 

• The complex relationship between energy and chemical industries
• Importance of industrial demand in power
• The reality of the energy transition
• Impact of European policies and international energy consumption 
• Supporting clients through risk management and policy shaping 

An Employee Value Proposition is essentially the set of benefits and rewards that a company offers to its employees in exchange for their skills, knowledge, and experience. It's the total package of what an employee gets out of working for a particular company. 

So with that, in this week’s podcast episode, The Chemical Show welcomes Jaycie Bradshaw as the quest, who is Human Resources Director at Palmer Holland, Inc. Palmer Holland is an Employee-Owned organization in this Specialty Chemical industry that focuses on driving strategic partnerships, business results, and empowering their employees to be successful. 

Topics discussed this week: 

• The reason why Jaycie got interested in HR
• What brought Jaycie to Palmer Holland?
• The significant change during the pandemic for Jaycie and the organization
• Things that influence Jaycie to guide recruitment and onboarding of new employees in Palmer Holland
• The practices integrated into the HR processes during post-pandemic
• Creating a strong employee value proposition to attract new people to join the organization 
• ESOP defined and explained 
• Keeping the balanced growth from business and employee perspectives with an uncertain economic future
• Leveraging training and development to help people move beyond into more of a collaborative value-selling approach
• Recruiting millennials and Gen Z
• The priority list of Jaycie and  Palmer Holland

Tune in as Jaycie shares her human resources background, which is a bit of a different switch from what the podcast usually talks to people about. Victoria and Jaycie are also going to discuss some insights about people, employees, and all the things going on today

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! The Chemical Show - The Chemical Show 

Episode 190 Shownotes

In this The Chemical Show Classic, we highlight a previous interview with Michael Graff who recently retired from his position as Chairman & CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. and Executive Vice President of Air Liquide Group. Mike was particularly passionate about the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy solution and actively advocated for its adoption. As an officer of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), Mike was recently recognized for his contributions in significantly to shaping the future of the chemical industry. His retirement marks the end of a distinguished career marked by leadership, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable practices. 

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com 

The chemical industry plays a crucial role in modern society. The ability to leverage innovation, the ability to meet a customer's needs, the ability to go ahead and leverage at a global scale, and the capabilities to meet the world's needs are all very prominent today and vital to industrial gases and chemicals.  

In this podcast episode, Victoria Meyer speaks with Michael Graff, Chairman and CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings and EVP of the Air Liquide Group. Michael shares leadership, learnings and insights from more than 30 years in the energy, chemicals, and gas industries.   

Topics discussed this week:  

• Mike’s origin story and how it has influenced his life and career 
• 6 key themes in the evolution of the chemical industry in the past 30 years 
• The importance of Innovation  
• The role of Hydrogen in sustainability and Net Zero 
• Leveraging partnerships and coalitions for a common goal 
• Meeting the consumers’ needs around the world 
• The continued importance of engineering education 

In recent years, the demand for biotechnology in cleaning has been on the rise due to its effectiveness in providing eco-friendly and sustainable solutions to the cleaning industry. Biotechnology involves the use of biological agents or living organisms to create useful products and services, and in cleaning, it has shown significant potential in improving the efficiency and safety of cleaning processes. 

Victoria Meyer chats with Rashda Khan, Sr. Director of Product Innovation for Barentz, a member of the HI&I leadership team, and is responsible for support across the business, driving new product development, and innovation efforts. 

Topics discussed this week: 

• Product innovation in the value chain now versus many years back
• Increased demand for biotechnology in the cleaning  industry 
• Drivers that are moving us toward biotechnology in the cleaning world
• Education for the consumer, the customer, and the end user
• Challenges in  commercializing and scaling in bio-based products and applications
• Rashda’s role as Barentz influences the formulations, specifications, and applications of the new products
• The innovation process at Barentz 
• Being empathetic to our customers and our consumers
• Striking a balance when having innovation opportunities, and an array of potential suppliers
• Challenges in innovation during and after the pandemic

This is a great and interesting conversation, so tune in!  

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

"It's not a matter of if a company is going to adopt technology transportation management system, but more of when? When are they going to do that? Because you have to if you want to improve anything within your company, it starts with having access to the data and being able see it from what it is." - Jennifer Braun, VP Trinity Logistics

On this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer speaks with Jennifer Braun, VP of Trinity Logistics, about navigating the dynamics of the chemical shipping industry. They discuss Trinity's efforts to combat the talent gap through onboarding and communication programs, separate recruiting and reward departments, and advanced technology-driven tools. They also cover Trinity's focus on customer-centricity and adapting to their needs, as well as its stability during the industry's current rebalancing period. Other highlights include Trinity's extensive sustainability efforts and its ongoing expansion and leadership program. 

Tune in to hear expert insights and predictions on the future of the chemical shipping industry.

Like this episode?   Remember to share, follow, and leave a rating or review.

For more insights and information, check out www.thechemicalshow.com

Trillium is making waves with their green technology, replacing petroleum  feedstocks with renewable feedstocks to make acrylonitrile. In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer chats with Corey Tyree, the co-founder and CEO of Trillium Renewable Chemicals about building successful partnerships, the power of experience, and driving sustainability in the chemical industry. 

Learn more about the following topics this week:

• Creating partnerships to support product development in a startup 
• Hallmarks of a great partnership
• The diverse end-uses of acrylonitrile
• The importance of customer development and consumer demand
• The challenge of talent development and acquisition in a startup
• Feasibility of Net zero and carbon neutrality by 2050

Victoria and Corey dive into the importance of partnerships with corporations, transparency, and trust in achieving successful collaborations, as well as the challenges and opportunities in scaling up their manufacturing plant. Corey also shares insights into the growing demand for green chemistry chemistry and the need for more industry experience within the startup space. Join Victoria and Corey as they explore the exciting world of renewable chemicals and the quest for a more sustainable future.

Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.

“There's a huge opportunity for B2B companies to enter podcasting.  People get personally connected to you and your brand, and its a great opportunity for storytelling.”

On this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer celebrates the podcast's 100th episode.  And, in a role-reversal, is the interviewee instead of the interviewer.

Today’s guest interviewer is Madeline Meyer, a summer intern at Progressio Global and computer science major at Texas State University.  They discuss Victoria’s journey in the chemical industry, from working as a project engineer at Amoco to starting her own boutique consulting firm. They also explore the evolution and current and future state of the industry, including localization, sustainability, and the UN Plastic Treaty negotiations. 

Victoria highlights the value of personal connections through storytelling and previews her upcoming event, the Chemical Summit, launching in October 2023. Lastly, she announces that the podcast will be adding a second episode each week and will focus on business issues and her own expertise and perspective. 

Tune in to learn more about the chemical industry's transformation through the eyes of its leaders.

Visit www.thechemicalshow.com.

And visit www.thechemicalsummit.com to learn more and register.

When a cyberattack hits, can your company quickly identify if it’s mechanical mishap or malicious intervention? Join Victoria Meyer as she sits down with Robert Lee, CEO of renowned cybersecurity firm Dragos, to delve into the critical distinctions between IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) cybersecurity. From safeguarding chemical facilities and power grids to the financial and national security risks tied to under-resourced OT security, Rob provides invaluable insights into the world of protective digital networks. 

Rob shares his journey from the U.S. Air Force to establishing Dragos, including the pivotal moments and ethical stands that led him away from offensive cyber operations. Emphasizing the importance of scenario-based planning and risk assessment, this episode explores how companies can better prepare for potential cyber threats and the rising expectations from regulatory bodies.  

Join us to learn more about these topics this week: 

• Origin story of Rob Lee: US Airforce to National Security Agency to CEO of Dragos 
• Cybersecurity: Information Technology (IT) versus Operation Technology (OT)  
• Advising boardrooms about cyber security risks: Scenario-based approach in cybersecurity 
• The role of executives and boards in cybersecurity 
• Leadership as a young CEO 

Other links: 

Ep 34 Taking on 2021: Navigating a Cyber Attack, Acquisitions and More with Brad Beauchamp 

Download: 10 Leadership Lessons for Chemical Executives 

Download: 7 Trends Shaping the Future of the Chemical Industry 

Subscribe to The Chemical Show on YouTube 

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. 
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Some of the most successful companies always put their customers first. That is why, if you want to emulate their success, the first thing you need to do is focus on taking care of your customers and your people. Victoria Meyer’s guest in this episode is Megan E. Gluth-Bohan, the CEO and Founder of TRInternational. Megan shares with Victoria how the huge success of TRInternational leans heavily on standing relationships. After all, the most successful companies are those that are led by people with good character. Listen to this episode and discover how you can put your customers first. Tune in!

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

Do you see what influence one has on the market? It's important to understand different markets so you could get informed about the demand. Victoria Meyer sits down for a conversation with John Richardson about strategies to enable companies to be headed in the right direction. John Richardson is a Senior Consultant at ICIS. John focuses on the polyolefins markets (polypropylene, polyethylene) in China, Asia and Europe. He shares the objective analysis you need to manage your business in today’s incredibly uncertain world. ICIS is the global source of Independent Commodity Intelligence Services. He shares how he sees recycled products drive towards sustainability and circularity, and taxes. Learn a lot of valuable insights on market demand, economics, sustainability and circularity so you could grow as a professional.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

Curious about the booming potential of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland and its impact on the global petrochemical landscape? Join Victoria Meyer as she speaks with Mark Plamondon, Executive Director of the Alberta Industrial Heartland Association, to uncover the immense benefits of investing in this strategic region. From low-cost feedstocks and world-class carbon management systems to a robust infrastructure and skilled workforce, Mark highlights the unique advantages that have positioned Alberta’s Industrial Heartland as a premier destination for major capital projects. 

Mark discusses significant developments, including Dow's groundbreaking net-zero ethylene manufacturing facility and Shell's advancements in carbon capture projects. The episode also touches on the role of logistical certainty, international investments, and the region's future growth prospects. Additionally, hear about the upcoming Canadian Petrochemical Summit in Lake Louise, which promises to be a vital platform for industry leaders navigating global markets and fostering meaningful connections. 

Be sure to check out the full episode to learn more about: 

• A look at the growth of Alberta's Industrial Heartland 
• Breaking down the economics: How feedstock advantages shape petrochemical investment decisions  
• The role of carbon capture in industrial development - from existing operations to future expansion plans and why timing matters 
• How global supply chain dynamics and port strikes are affecting industrial development, plus insights on Asian investment trends in North America 
• The challenges of navigating uncertainty in a changing political landscape - and how regions work to maintain stable investment environments 
• A discussion on leadership - why stepping up to take clear positions matters and the importance of leading with integrity 

Other links:  

Mark Plamondon Episode 145 Alberta’s Industrial Heartland’s Competitive Edge in Petrochemicals 

Register for the Canadian Petrochemical Summit this June 17-19 in Lake Louise, Alberta 

Register for The 40th World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global this March 17 – 21 in Houston, Texas. The Chemical Show audience receives a special discount of 5%. Register today using code WPC2025ChemShow5%. 

Download: 10 Leadership Lessons for Chemical Executives 

Download: 7 Trends Shaping the Future of the Chemical Industry 

Subscribe to The Chemical Show on YouTube

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. 
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
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Learn more about the transformative power of compliance and data in today’s business landscape with guest Tom Fox, President of the Compliance Podcast Network. Host Victoria Meyer delves into the evolution of compliance functions, highlighting how they have shifted from being a gold standard to a crucial component of everyday business operations. Tom shares his insights on the importance of data quality and security, especially in the context of AI and its growing role in compliance and legal frameworks. The episode also explores the challenges companies face with AI-generated information and the critical need for verification to avoid costly inaccuracies. 

Victoria and Tom also discuss the pivotal role of podcasting in business, emphasizing its benefits in thought leadership, relationship building, and content creation. Tom shares his journey from a trial lawyer defending petrochemical companies to an influential voice in the compliance industry through podcasting. He draws parallels to the safety culture revolution in the 1990s and underscores the ongoing need for strong leadership in fostering an ethical compliance culture.  

Join us to learn more about the following topics this week: 

• Tom Fox's career journey and what led him to podcasting 
• The evolution of compliance: from legal to business to data and analytics 
• Trends in compliance today within the chemical and energy industries 
• How do companies ensure clarity in compliance?  
• The impact and risks of data analytics and AI on compliance 
• The role leaders play in fostering a culture of compliance 
• Five reasons to have a podcast as a business 

Thank you to our sponsor Veson Nautical: 

From multi-jurisdictional regulations to geopolitics and decarbonization, the maritime ecosystem is more complex than ever. This is creating unprecedented levels of risk exposure. With trusted maritime data and built-for-purpose workflows from Veson Nautical, you can confidently make decisions to better manage risk and maximize profit. 

For over twenty years, Veson has been co-innovating with the world’s largest buyers and sellers of bulk marine freight.   

Join their client community and find your decision advantage. Learn more at veson.com

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From transforming control room roles to managing "startup hangovers," Bonnie Tully's journey in the chemical industry is a masterclass in navigating complexity and fostering innovation. As COO of Evonik, Bonnie shares her insights with host Victoria Meyer on the evolution of industry roles, the critical importance of middle management, and future trends involving AI and project-centric environments. 

Want more leadership insights? Download: 10 Leadership Lessons for Chemical Executives 

Bonnie's recount of her experience in setting up a plant in Singapore, managing a diverse team, and implementing a multicultural work environment highlights the intricacies of global operations. Victoria and Bonnie explore the shift towards self-managing employees, the essential role of middle management in maintaining company cohesion, and strategies for attracting top talent in an increasingly competitive landscape.  

Join us to learn more about the following topics this week: 

• Bonnie Tully's career origin, evolution, and the 3 biggest changes she's seen in the chemical industry in the span of her career 
• Transformation of chemical industry roles 
• Trends in the chemical industry and looking to the future: what's next?  
• Setting up culture from scratch and the "startup hangover" 
• Tackling the talent attraction perspective, creating a unified culture, and social media's role 

Listen: Ep 165 Achieving Success in Chemicals: Sustainability and Leadership with Bonnie Tully of Evonik 

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Extreme weather, heat waves, droughts. Climate change has continued to affect our environment and our lives. And what are we doing about it? Fortunately, there are companies like LanzaTech who dedicated 17 years and $500 million to innovating the use of waste carbon in sustainable fuels, fabrics, packaging, and other products that we use every day. In this episode, we are joined by their CEO, Jennifer Holmgren, to talk about their breakthrough in carbon capture and transformation. And how finding the right partners like Zara, Denote, and other industry-leading companies can shine the light on carbon capture and take their shared vision for a healthier environment into reality. Tune in and learn more about how this diverse team came together to help save our planet.  

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

Discover how the worlds of beauty and chemicals merge to drive innovation in the cosmetics and personal care industry from NYSCC Suppliers Day in New York City. Victoria Meyer takes you behind the scenes of this event, accompanied by industry experts Bob Jacobs from Hydrosome Labs, Jack Drawdy from SCT, Petia Tatarska from Innova BM, Dennis Abbeduto from Colonial Chemical, Yann Chilvers from Cavalo, and Daina Catanese of Integrity BioChem.

This week's episode of The Chemical Show is packed with firsthand insights from industry leaders at the forefront of the personal care landscape. They discuss trends in sustainable and clean technologies, the impact of AI and digital solutions on supply chain transparency, and the integration of biotech innovations that promise enhanced efficacy and environmental stewardship. Join us for thoughtful exploration into how today's trends are paving the way for tomorrow's consumer products.

Topics discussed in this week’s episode:

• NYSCC Suppliers' Day Conference: the future of cosmetics & personal care
• Key trends driving cosmetics
• Sustainability and sustainable chemistries in cosmetics and personal care
• Digital solutions for sustainability
• Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Innovation

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com 

Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t
  
  

In early February, I attended the ever-popular  American Cleaning Institute (ACI) Annual Conference. This week, I am sharing with you all some insights that I’ve learned from that conference. There are valuable insights coming from companies across the cleaning value chain. It's everything from ingredient suppliers, surfactants, enzymes, and fragrances to formulators and industrial consumer product companies. 

Topics discussed this week: 

• Sustainability is a topic in every industry. Partnering is critical to creating innovation and helping support the sustainability journey. 
• The importance of transparency. How to create transparency around products, their impacts, and what they do and what they don't do.
• Economic headwinds - As we enter 2023, a concern about the duration and impact of these headwinds on demand and profitability. 
• Growth and innovation across the cleaning products industry. 
• Being green and buggy - The impact of green and bio-based raw materials and formulations.

Tune in as Victoria shares all of the interesting key themes for the cleaning industry in 2023 from the ACI Annual Conference and a lot more juicy pieces of information that you need to know about this industry. 

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! The Chemical Show - The Chemical Show 

Ep 167 Show Notes - Carbon Capture and Sustainability with Kevin Norfleet of Celanese

Get an insider's view of sustainability in the chemical industry with Kevin Norfleet, Global Sustainability Director at Celanese, as he joins Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show®. Kevin shares his journey from chemical engineering to spearheading sustainability efforts at Celanese, including the company's innovative initiatives like the large-scale carbon capture and utilization project for methanol production in Texas. 

Victoria and Kevin delve into the evolving demands for sustainable products, discussing which market segments are leading the charge and how companies can offer competitive and impactful eco-friendly solutions. Additionally, Kevin touches on the importance of sustainability in talent recruitment and career development within the chemical industry, offering valuable advice for aspiring professionals. 

This episode was recorded at the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference. 

Don’t miss the following topics this week:

• Methanol as a scalable building block for sustainability
• Investing in Carbon Capture & Utilization (CCU) to reduce carbon footprint
• Viewing sustainability through a customer's lens
• Sustainability as an employee value proposition
• The importance of agility in career success

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com 

Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
  
  

We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t

The demand for everything chemical recovers quickly. The 2022 chemical investment outlook is promising. Victoria Meyer’s guest in this episode is Trey Hamblet, the VP of Chemicals Research for Industrial Info Resources. Trey talks with Victoria about insights and predictions on how chemical investments will fare in 2022. The best course of action is to tackle key investments that increase profitability. So far, logical constraints don’t hold back chemical investments, and technologies are developing green initiatives that garner huge public support. Do you want to know more about the 2022 chemical investment outlook? Tune in!

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

Chemistry pretty much affects our everyday lives even in its most trivial aspects. Therefore, chemical education is something all people must give some attention to, especially the youth. Victoria Meyer goes to the Chemical Educational Foundation to talk with the people behind it: Terry Hill (Barentz), Aileen Doyle (Univar Solutions), Calvin Emanuel (Ecolab), and Nicole Domingues. They dive into the importance of studying chemistry and how to make students more interested in it, mainly through the foundation's chemist competition.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

Sustainability and innovation are transforming the chemical industry.  Central to that transformation is leveraging customer and consumer insights, to ensure that new, innovative products are meeting customer needs.

In this week’s podcast episode, I speak with Juliana Pantalena, who is the Marketing Head of Surfactants for CEPSA Química based in Madrid. She's brings a global perspective, having working in Brazil, US and Spain.  And, a keen focus on customer experience and driving value in established markets with new products. 

Topics discussed this week: 

• Juliana’s origin story and what drives her interest in chemicals and surfactants
• How sustainability and carbon reduction drives CEPSA  Chemicals
• CEPSA’s partnership with Unilever on NextLAB
• How CEPSA looks at consumer needs to drive product innovation
• A prioritization process for innovation
• Critical factors for Customer Experience
• The role of digitization in the company
• Increasing the presence of women in leadership in the chemical industry

This is an exciting episode, so tune in as Victoria and Juliana talk about how CEPSA uses customer insights to drive transformation and many other lively topics around the chemical industry. 

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

Navigating through the maze of the chemical industry's future, Victoria Meyer explores the biggest industry event of the year thus far: AFPM IPC 2024.

With the highest attendance since pre-COVID times, robust discussions, and critical networking, Victoria unpacks the cautious optimism permeating the sector, underlining a year that started strong despite evident challenges. She dives into the pressing themes identified at the conference: the focused lens on supply chain complexities post unexpected incidents, the drive for global policy harmonization to foster balanced markets, and the imperative of ethical leadership influencing industry directions.

The Chemical Show delves deep into the evolving narratives from the AFPM IPC 2024 and surfaces with insights on the need for resilient supply chains, calls for collaborative and rational policy-making, and the unwavering request for ethical stewardship in management. As Victoria also announces the needful details about The Chemical Summit, she reflects on how the conference's outcomes are shaping actions and expectations for the remainder of the year. In a world where industry stability is paramount, these insights are crucial for every professional vested in the strategic future of chemicals.

Register TODAY for The Chemical Summit.  Held on October 8-9, 2024 in Spring, Texas.   This will be a SOLD OUT event!
https://thechemicalsummit.com/

According to Forbes, the inflation reading from January 2021 to January 2022 was a whopping 7.5%. Let’s face it, we are certainly facing inflation, and nobody is exempt, including the chemical industry. So what can chemical companies do to handle inflation and still manage to succeed? Today, Victoria Meyer shares five strategies for how chemical companies should manage and lead through these current economic times.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

Humans are master storytellers and as business leaders, we should harness the power of storytelling.

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer explores why storytelling is critical for businesses to control the narrative about their performance, products, and value creation. Victoria shares how business storytelling involves interpreting facts and creating emotional connections as well as what makes a good story - starting with the end in mind, choosing the right information and time frame, using visual supports, choosing strong words, making it personal, and relatable. 

Topics discussed in this week’s episode:

• The case for storytelling in business
• Why owning the narrative is critical
• Insights from Harvard Business School
• 3 tips for compelling business stories
• Case study on the power of the right story

Tune in to learn more on this episode of The Chemical Show!

Like this episode? Remember to share, follow, and leave a rating or review.

For more insights and information, check out www.thechemicalshow.com

Our inaugural conference, The Chemical Summit, is happening October 24-25 in The Woodlands, Texas. Our exciting agenda features many guests from The Chemical Show podcast.

Victoria Meyer shares more about connection and what to expect at The Chemical Summit, including: 

• The importance of connection and community
• How business connections provide context and insights
• Fostering connection and community at The Chemical Summit
• Relaunching The Chemical Community as an online platform

Learn more and register for The Chemical Summit at www.thechemicalsummit.com

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
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***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at www.thechemicalshow.com. 

SOCMA, or the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates, plays an integral part as the connector in the chemical industry. They match-make business partnerships so that projects can get up and running in the industry. SOCMA empowers its members with the latest industry knowledge and projects. Join Victoria Meyer and her guest Jennifer Abril, the CEO and President of SOCMA, as they talk about the company and its role in the industry. Discover the pillars of their strategic plan. Find out what it takes to be a member and what you can get as a member. Learn how they support the specialty and contract chemical manufacturing sector. Know what the relationship between government and industry associations is post-COVID. And find out how Jennifer handles leadership as a woman in such a male-dominated industry. Be a part of SOCMA today!

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

The key to establishing and achieving your business goal is to know your intellectual property strategy. However, many business leaders don’t understand concepts of intellectual property, trademarks, and patents. Victoria Meyer’s guest in this episode is James Drake, a patent attorney and the Managing Counsel of Drake & Associates. James discusses what intellectual property is and how you can use it to achieve your business goal. Tune in and listen to this conversion to learn more about what you, as a business leader, need to know about intellectual property.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

The pandemic brought many challenges to smaller businesses and chemical distributors. Learn how Eric Byer, President and CEO of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD), led the association and supported the chemical distribution industry, including many small, family-owned businesses, during the ups-and-downs of 2020 and 2021. Join your host Victoria Meyer and her guest Eric Byer as they discuss the pandemic, its effect on small business, the vital part that chemical distribution plays in the economy and the role that NACD has taken to support its members. How have chemical distributors managed the challenges posed by the logistics disruptions and the pandemic? Find out by listening to today's episode of The Chemical Show Podcast.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

With the growing trend towards sustainability and natural products, Aaron Lee, Global Vice President of Home Care and Industrial Cleaning for Univar Solutions, discusses the different segments of their business, highlighting the shift towards innovation in the post-pandemic world. Customers are increasingly looking for natural and sustainable alternatives in the home care space. There is a growing demand for multifunctional natural products, and customers are willing to pay a premium for them. 

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer invites Aaron, an industry expert and leader in the field of chemical distribution, to share insights into the different segments of their business, including home care, industrial and hospitality, and auto appearance. Victoria and Aaron discuss the challenges and opportunities for innovation in science during the pandemic. Aaron shares how Univar Solutions played a part in this story, especially with their home care and industrial cleaning team.

Join us as Victoria and Aaron discuss the following topics this week:

• How the cleaning industry keeps the economy healthy, fed, clean, and safe
• The post pandemic shift to innovation in the cleaning industry
• Natural and bio-based products in the cleaning industry
• How the pandemic changed global consumer behaviors in home care, auto, and hospitality cleaning industries
• The quest to create more natural and sustainable products
• The role of chemical industry distribution now

Victoria and Aaron discuss Univar Solutions' commitment to expanding their portfolio of sustainable and eco-friendly products, and how they work closely with customers and suppliers to develop innovative solutions. Aaron also sheds light on the evolving role of chemical distribution companies, where they not only provide logistics but also play a crucial role in driving innovation. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the declining hospitality industry, the importance of sustainability, and the future of chemical distribution in the cleaning industry.

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
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In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer invites George L. Vann, president of EcoServices, which is a part of Ecovyst to chat about his unique career path - from graduating with a mechanical engineering degree, to serving in the military, to various roles in the chemical industry. George emphasizes the importance of long-term relationships with customers and the need for long-term contracts to establish trust and dependability. He also shares insights into fundamental factors across businesses, including growth, providing value to customers, and attracting and retaining talent.

Learn more about the following in this episode:

1. Applying Leadership skills US Army to Business

2. Business mindset: big vs. small companies

3. Weathering economic storms in business

4. Impact of electrification on sulfur business

5. Circularity and sustainability in mature industries   

6. The importance of talent and skilled trades

Drawing upon his military background, George discusses the leadership skills he acquired, emphasizing the importance of working with people, considering different viewpoints, making informed decisions, and taking accountability. Victoria and George also explore how creating partnerships with educational institutions help to develop internship and trainee programs, which can help create a pipeline of qualified individuals for vocational technical positions. Lastly, George highlights the need for smaller companies like Ecovyst to create unique value propositions to attract talent.

Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.

Explore the intersection of digital innovation and chemical distribution with host Victoria Meyer and Austin Nichols, CEO of ChemPoint, on The Chemical Show. Austin shares his insights on the critical role of digital solutions in scaling business operations. Victoria and Austin discuss the difference between ChemPoint's supplier-centric model and Univar's broader approach, detailing how ChemPoint leverages digital marketing and inside sales to enhance efficiency and supply chain management. 

Discover how ChemPoint's unique value proposition targets strategic supplier relationships and digital optimization. Austin discusses the ongoing digital progression in the plastics industry, the impact of AI on distribution, and how remote work during the pandemic brought about transformative changes in company culture. Gain valuable perspectives on leadership, customer focus, and the significance of creating a culture of accountability in business success. 

Gain insights on the following topics this week:

• The evolution of ChemPoint: from Univar's digital platform to standalone chemical distributor 
• Striking a balance in being "wholly owned" yet a stand-alone distributor  
• Right-sizing digital resources 
• Digitization and the future of chemical industry distribution 
• How is the chemical industry utilizing AI in business?  
• The evolution of work models: Facing challenges and strategies in remote work 
• What is critical in leadership today? 

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. 
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com  

Wondering how we produce our podcast? 

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria 
• We use CastMagic.io to create Show Notes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1 
• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t 

Digital is all around us.The onset of the pandemic only accelerated the expansion and progress of digitization in almost every industry years ahead. Still, not all of them are making the most out of it just yet. The chemical industry’s love-hate relationship with digitization is founded on its belief in human-to-human interaction. However, we shouldn’t let that hold us back from the innovations that only aim to improve business processes and outcomes. In this episode, your host Victoria Meyer shares the many ways the chemical industry is embracing digitization and explains why executives should start seeing it as a value-creating investment. Tune in and learn the impacts and benefits of digitization.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

"If you want your target audience to remember your message the next day, tell a story. "

As you're heading to industry events over the next couple week's: NYSCC Suppliers' Day, American Coatings Show, NPE The Plastics Show, consider the power of storytelling.

Exploring the essential elements of business storytelling, host Victoria Meyer demonstrates that it's about more than recounting events—it's about strategically crafting and managing the narrative to connect emotionally with the audience and achieve desired business outcomes. 

This week on The Chemical Show, Victoria details two main types of stories companies need to master: the brand story and the results story. Each plays a vital role in business development and strategy execution. This week’s discussion is supported by compelling examples, including a memorable story from a CPChem executive, illustrating how effective storytelling can convey complex information and enhance stakeholder engagement.

Take Action:  Share Your Best Business Storytelling Example Here (link to SpeakPipe)

Topics discussed in this week’s episode:

• The case for storytelling in business
• Why owning the narrative is critical
• Insights from Harvard Business School
• 5 tips for compelling business stories
• Case study on the power of the right story

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com 

Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t
  
  

Now an independent company, Lummus Technology has become a leading technology developer for new capacity expansion investments in the industry. Their expertise, reputation, and skilled team are applying startup energy to excel independently and drive innovation. Leon De Bruyn, President and CEO of Lummus, an expert in the technology and chemicals, has played a crucial role in the growth and success of Lummus. Leon explores the remarkable transformation of Lummus, a more than one hundred-year-old startup in startup mode. 

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer welcomes Leon to share his wealth of knowledge and experience as he uncovers the secrets behind Lummus' remarkable evolution. Leon shares his leadership strengths and abilities and sheds light on Lummus' emphasis on portfolio expansion, growth, and incorporating new technology innovators. Exploring their focus on providing expertise throughout the value chain and their investment in innovative technologies, Leon shares Lummus’ interest in energy transition and market growth. 

Learn more about the following topics this week:

• Challenges and opportunities of creating a new standalone company on the shoulders of an old company
• Shifting mindsets: From engineering hours to customer value and technology
• Instilling a new culture to drive growth and innovation
• The role of digitization in Lummus' business 
• Building a technology portfolio for the future

Victoria and Leon discuss Lummus’ accomplishments, its plans for the future, and the importance of leadership in navigating challenges, all while maintaining a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Join us as we uncover Lummus' fascinating story and gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving chemical industry.

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01:31 Leon de Bruyn’s origin story

2:40 100 year-old technology company in startup mode

4:42 Challenges and opportunities in carving out a technology business

8:39 How Lummus has become more customer-centric

15:34 Redefining company culture to support new business structure and strategy

18:20 The role of digitization in enabling Net Zero carbon goals

24:02 Aligning values and goals to create a successful partnership

26:15 Future portfolio growth opportunities for Lummus Technology

In today's challenging business landscape, especially within the volatile chemical industry, resilience is key. Host Victoria Meyer outlines three vital strategies in navigating chemical market uncertainty this week on The Chemical Show: commercial discipline, customer centricity, and market diversification. 

Victoria emphasizes the importance of commercial discipline, advocating for strategic profitability alignment and efficiency enhancement through automation. Customer centricity is highlighted as a cornerstone for resilience, focusing on deepening connections with valuable customers to weather market fluctuations. Victoria discusses market diversification as a proactive strategy, balancing portfolios to shield against economic tremors and meet sustainability goals.

Learn more about the following:

• Weathering the uncertainty and emerging resilient
• Three strategies for chemical market resilience
• Commercial discipline and the quest for efficiency
• A cornerstone for modern business resilience: Customer centricity
• Diversification - a strategy to stay ahead of competition

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Navigating the talent landscape of the chemical industry can be as complex and nuanced as the industry itself. This week, Victoria Meyer is joined by Jeff Bennett from Boaz Partners, a recruiter specializing in senior leadership placements within multiple sectors such as fragrances, cosmetics, and plastics. 

Victoria and Jeff discuss the strategies for succession planning, the art of retaining top talent, and the ever-evolving market challenges and opportunities. Additionally, Victoria and Jeff also address the changing norms of workplace environments, the impact of remote work on company culture, and the "gray tsunami"—an exodus of senior expertise leading to significant talent gaps.

Join Victoria and Jeff as they discuss the following:

• What are the job market trends today?
• Changing workplace norms
• Succession planning amidst the gray tsunami
• Talent war: What skills do companies value the most?
• Job markets for the rest of 2024

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Successfully navigating a newly-formed company’s first years comes with challenges and opportunities in business systems, workforce development, and sustainable manufacturing.  Listen and learn as Victoria Meyer speaks with John Foley, CEO of Verdant Specialty Solutions about solidifying the business in its first two years, then building a platform for growth.

John discusses leading the acquisition and integration of multiple businesses in the chemical sector. With a focus on building a strong team, implementing sustainable practices, and leveraging technology, John has brought Verdant to new heights of success. Having recently acquired a specialty oxide plant and a range of businesses, John shares his insights on workforce development, strategic acquisitions, and the importance of balancing commercial strategy with team-building efforts.

Learn more about the following topics this week:

• Verdant 1.0 - buying and integrating the 3 businesses, standing up a back office, implementing an ERP system, and safety and compliance
• Introduction of Verdant 2.0 - growth strategy
• Identifying what's really creating value for your customers
• How Verdant is navigating an uncertain economy
• Sustainable Manufacturing
• Maximizing the Potential of a state of the art specialty chemical plant
• Finding Business success in teamwork

Victoria and John chat about the importance of sustainable manufacturing and the potential to strengthen a smaller chemical company’s technology capabilities through external acquisitions. Join them as they uncover the secrets to building a successful chemical company on The Chemical Show.

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Reflecting on what sparked their interest in chemistry and led them to a career in the chemical industry, Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF) board members, Joyce Marshall Johnson of Univar Solutions, Rene Whigham of Olin Corporation, and Jennifer Jewson of LyondellBasell, join host Victoria Meyer to discuss their diverse journeys into the chemical industry, the importance of engaging students early in STEM fields, and the impact of CEF's "You Be the Chemist Challenge." Highlighting the significance of mentorship, fosters an insightful conversation about diversifying the chemical workforce, and emphasizes the crucial role of early education in inspiring future generations to pursue careers in chemistry and STEM.

** We invite you to join the 20th Annual You Be The Chemical Celebration on June 9 & 10 in Houston, Texas.   Learn more and purchase your tickets here: CEF You Be The Chemist **

Listen to this episode to find out:

• Career paths and inspiration in chemistry
• The importance of mentors in navigating a career in the chemical industry
• Encouraging women to pursue careers in the chemical industry
• Promoting awareness about diverse career paths within the chemical industry
• The important role of early engagement in chemistry and STEM education
• CEF”s You Be The Chemical Challenge

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Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t
  
  

The chemical industry plays a crucial role in modern society. The ability to leverage innovation, the ability to meet a customer's needs,  the ability to go ahead and leverage at a global scale, and the capabilities to meet the world's needs are all very prominent today and vital to industrial gases and chemicals. 

In this podcast episode, Victoria Meyer speaks with Michael J. Graff, Chairman and CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings and EVP of the Air Liquide Group. Mike shares leadership, learnings and insights from more than 30 years in the energy, chemicals, and gas industries.  

Topics discussed this week: 

• Mike’s origin story and how it has influenced his life and career
• 6 key themes in the evolution of the chemical industry in the past 30 years
• The importance of Innovation 
• The role of Hydrogen in sustainability and Net Zero
• Leveraging partnerships and coalitions for a common goal
• Meeting the consumers’ needs around the world
• The continued importance of engineering education

This was an amazing and insightful interview. 

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Are you looking for a commerce platform where sourcing raw materials are simple, from search to logistics? In this episode of The Chemical Show, Scott Barrows, the CEO of BluePallet shares how they are building digital commerce solutions for the chemical industry. Scott also shares that they are studying what's happened in the past, not only the platforms in the chemical industry that have come and gone but also how technology digitization of commerce has affected other industries that have maybe a little bit further along. With the concerns about marketplaces creating a level of standardization that can take away the unique value that the company provides or that distributor provides to its customers, Scott explains how they turn that around and how that plays out. Tune in to this insightful episode to hear more about an end-to-end chemical commerce platform that provides solutions for search, logistics, transactions, and everything in between!

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

From embracing change in one's career to the impact of COVID on buyer-seller relationships, the B2B sales landscape is facing a new set of challenges and opportunities.   George Koehnke, President of Ascend Commercial Solutions joins host Victoria Meyer to explore the evolving dynamics of business relationships, including the shift towards customer-centricity and the value of coaching in sales leadership.

As the chemical industry continuously adapts to market dynamics, Victoria and George discuss the importance of customer centricity in B2B relationships as well as the need to align company scorecards with customer scorecards and build joint business plans for mutual success.

Killer Quote: "Success in sales and leadership development lies in coaching mentality, motivation, and bringing customer-centricity to the forefront." - George Koehnke

Join us to learn more about the following this week:

• The importance of systems and measurement in effective selling
• Why companies need to rethink sales in a post-pandemic world
• Bridging the gap between transactional sales to business development
• Developing deep relationships, engaging customers, and understanding their business strategies to create true customer centricity
• Critical focus areas for success in 2024

Whether you're navigating B2B chemical sales, seeking career advice, or looking for strategies to thrive in evolving markets, this episode provides essential insights from a seasoned industry expert. Tune in to The Chemical Show with George Koehnke for valuable lessons on driving success through customer-centric strategies and adaptable leadership in today's ever-changing business landscape.

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• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=DdZ2MA

Ep 186 Show Notes - How Efficiency Drives Sustainability with Alina Green of WIKA 

Explore the extraordinary journey of Alina Green, from growing up on a post-communist Romanian farm to becoming a Market Segment Specialist at WIKA Group, transforming energy and chemical processes with innovative automation solutions. Alina chats with Victoria Meyer about navigating tough environments, leveraging her engineering background, and the pivotal role of small, high-return projects in addressing decarbonization and sustainability in the industry. 

Victoria and Alina delve into WIKA's 75-year history, discussing how this family-owned company has thrived in the instrumentation space. They reflect on how strong customer relationships and in-depth market knowledge drive impactful innovations, no matter the company's size. Highlighting a successful collaboration with Chevron, Alina demonstrates how simple projects, like optimizing an amine unit, can achieve significant cost savings and carbon emission reductions.  

Join us to learn more about the following topics this week: 

• Origin story of both Alina Green and WIKA Group 
• Identifying market trends and opportunities to connect to customers 
• Digitization and digital transformation as a tool to expand and go deeper into markets and opportunities. 
• WIKA's key differentiators in helping customers find solutions 
• Sustainability as a driver of requests and opportunities with customers 
• Challenges and opportunities to being women in a very technical market 

Additional Links:

The Chemical Show Episode: BASF CEO Michael Heinz on Sustainability, Energy, and Leadership 

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On this episode of The Chemical Show, Victoria Meyer takes us through the world of business transformation and the key factors that lead to success. With a staggering 70% of transformations failing to meet their objectives, Victoria believes that a clear vision and a customer-centric approach are critical. She breaks down different lenses, including the "easy to do business with" lens, and how feedback from stakeholders should be considered. Furthermore, Victoria Meyer emphasizes the importance of empathy, as understanding the experiences and values of employees, customers, and counterparts can lead to a more successful transformation. With her years of experience leading and advising companies, Meyer offers a unique perspective on achieving targeted results in business transformation.

Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.  And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.

This is a great and interesting conversation, so tune in!  

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Have you ever wondered how companies are repurposing carbon dioxide emissions and turning them into valuable raw materials? In this episode of The Chemical Show, we dive into the world of carbon capture and utilization with our guest, Keith Wiggins, CEO of Econic Technologies. Econic is a company focused on repurposing carbon dioxide emissions into valuable carbon-based raw materials. 

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer and Keith discuss the different brackets of technologies for repurposing CO2 and the challenges they have faced in terms of stability and cost. He highlights the significant amount of CO2 emissions produced globally each year and the need to do something with this captured carbon. Keith shares his insights and experiences in developing technologies that repurpose CO2, the challenges faced in gaining market acceptance, and the potential for creating a circular economy in industries such as polyurethanes and surfactants.

Join us to learn more about the following this week:

• Hitting chemical industry glass ceilings
• The origin story of Econic Technologies
• Defining what "good" looks like through working with the world's largest chemical companies
• Econic's focus on commercializing technology
• "Pioneered Licensees" with Econic Technologies
• Critical attributes in chemical industry business partnerships
• Working with customers' resistance to new technology
• Opportunities in the renewable carbon initiative, sustainability in the chemical industry
• China's influence on the chemical industry
• What's next for Econic?

In this episode, Victoria and Keith delve into the exciting world of carbon capture and utilization. Keith discusses the challenges faced in repurposing CO2 emissions, the need to create a market and demand for such technologies, and the importance of collaboration with partners and understanding the value chain. We explore the global push for sustainability and how the chemical industry can play a pivotal role in driving innovation and efficiency. Join us as we uncover the potential for creating a circular economy and turning carbon dioxide into a valuable resource for industry.

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The printing inks industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with a growing focus on environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance. In this Episode of The Chemical Show, Host Victoria Meyer welcomes Ray Gonzales, Global Head of Marketing and Business Development for Clariant and George Fuchs, Director of Regulatory Affairs for National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers, otherwise known as NAPIM to discuss these topics and more. 

Discover how Clariant and NAPIM are navigating the changing regulations in the printing inks market and exploring alternative solutions and the quest for transparency. Victoria, George, and Ray discuss the importance of achieving supply chain transparency and the collaborative efforts between companies like Clariant and industry associations like NAPIM to find safer and more sustainable solutions in the printing inks market. 

Killer Quote: "The ink industry is rapidly evolving, and it's crucial for us to find sustainable alternatives to PTFE. Our collaboration with companies like Clariant is instrumental in achieving this goal and ensuring the safety and environmental friendliness of our ink formulations." - George Fuchs, NAPIM

Join us to learn more about the following this week:

• The rapidly evolving printing inks market
• How regulation and customer demand influences the printing inks markets
• Reporting, transparency, and supply chain transparency in the printing inks industry
• R&D's role in material replacements for PFAS in ink systems
• Navigating global regulations in the printing inks industry
• Looking forward in the printing inks industry

Victoria, along with Ray and George, delve into the complex world of printing inks, exploring the challenges and opportunities of finding safer alternatives to chemicals like PTFE, navigating the ever-changing regulatory landscape, and striving for greater supply chain transparency. 

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Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• Transistor.fm is our podcast publisher of choice. Try it here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
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• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=DdZ2MA
  
  

Wondering how a unicorn startup in the chemical industry is changing the business of chemicals? Join host Victoria Meyer as she speaks with Gaurab Chakrabarti, co-founder and CEO of Solugen, to explore innovative approaches that challenge the traditional paradigms of bigger, more efficient assets. Their conversation delves into alternative solutions for reducing carbon intensity, emphasizing the importance of local supply chains and circular feedstocks.

Gaurab Chakrabarti is a force in the chemical industry, renowned for his unique journey from aspiring medical doctor to pioneering entrepreneur. A Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, Gaurab's passion for studying pancreatic cancer led him to uncover parallels between cancer biology and chemical processing, ultimately inspiring him to co-found Solugen. Alongside his best friend Sean Hunt, Gaurab is committed to decarbonizing the chemical industry through innovative enzymatic catalysts and scalable, high-yield processes.

Learn more as Victoria and Gaurab discuss the following topics:

• An unconventional start to a career: from physician to scientist to Forbes 30 under 30
• Solugen's framework of decarbonization
• Growing into a 2 billion company and the expectations that arise
• How receiving a DOE loan creates an inflection point in growth
• Workforce and cultural evolution of Solugen
• Gaurab's career insights and advice

–Gaurab Chakrabarti

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Delving into the challenges and opportunities in the chemical industry, the importance of building strong relationships and value propositions, and the impact of sustainability on business decision-making, Chad Hall, Vice President of Energy at Integrity BioChem, discusses insights into coaching, leadership, and navigating the ever-changing landscape of the chemical industry with host Victoria Meyer. 

In this episode of The Chemical Show, Victoria and Chad discuss the concept of coaching and its application in the business world. Chad shares his perspective on how coaching can be effective regardless of team or company size. According to Chad, anyone in a managerial role can become a coach, regardless of job title. This thought-provoking perspective invites us to reimagine a world where the word "manager" is replaced with "coach."

Join us to learn more about the following this week:

• Integrity Biochem's take on the markets in 2023 and going into 2024
• Your customer's business decisions and how it drives business value
• How to create customer "stickiness" - keeping business versus winning it 
• The tug of war between corporate control and procurement control - uncovering value and ROI
• Sustainability and ESG in oil and gas
• Scaling products to take on aggressive sustainability goals
• Coaching versus managing 

With years of experience in executive coaching and a passion for helping others succeed, Chad brings a unique perspective to his conversation about coaching, the power of building strong relationships, and the importance of delivering on promises in the chemical industry with Victoria. Join us this week to learn more. 

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Additional Links:

Michael Suver Ep13: Bio-Based Chemistry: The Rise Of A Green Chemical Industry With Michael Suver

Michael Suver Ep 44: How The Chemical Industry Is Becoming Sustainable With Cameron Whaley And Michael Suver

The Wall Street Journal: Companies Stall Climate Action Despite Earlier Promises

In the last week of March, Victoria Meyer attended the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers or AFPM International Petrochemical Conference, which was held in San Antonio. So in this week's episode, she will share her insights and reflections from that conference. There were thousands of attendees and people were there for meetings with business partners, suppliers, customers, and many other activities going on at that event. 

Topics discussed this week: 

• The chemical industry is in the process of setting a new equilibrium
• The need to tell your own story and to tell the industry story
• Be an advocate for the industry
• The demand decline in the chemical industry
• Optimism both for 2023 and for the long term
• Global markets and local impacts 
• Collaboration - we're all in this together

Tune in! 

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! The Chemical Show - The Chemical Show 

Our inaugural conference, The Chemical Summit occurred October 24th - 25th, 2023 in The Woodlands, Texas. In this special edition of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer shares highlights from the first day of the Summit which focused on thought leadership, building connections, and gaining insights in the chemical industry. 

Exploring the themes of transformation, sustainability, and ESG, speakers emphasized the need for personal and business transformation, the challenges of achieving sustainability goals, and the importance of continuous improvement in creating value. Join Victoria as she shares insights from industry leaders and encourages listeners to transform their businesses and embrace sustainability.

Victoria Meyer shares more about the insights shared by industry leaders at The Chemical Summit, including: 

• The biggest challenges chemical companies face today
• If you want your business to transform, YOU as a leader need to transform. (Megan Gluth-Bohan, CEO of TRInternational on transformational leadership)
• True change takes decades.  The chemical industry will success in sustainability by evolution not revolution. (Brad Beauchamp, CEO of Carpenter Co., Evolution not Revolution: The Path to Sustainability) 
• The chemical industry is currently producing thousands of circular products, they’re just not marketing them as circular. (Kelly Gilroy of Univar Solutions in The Path to Sustainability is Not (Only) Circular panel discussion)
• ESG investing only works when companies are creating profits and value (Jonas Oxgaard of McKinsey in The Path to Sustainability is Not (Only) Circular panel discussion)
• ESG is all about culture and value – your company culture and values (Terry Hill of Barentz in a Fireside Chat about ESG).

Follow The Chemical Summit on LinkedIn for updates about this year and next year’s events. https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-chemical-summit/

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Host Victoria Meyer takes on the challenge of strategizing for a potentially flat and challenging year in the chemical industry in 2024. Sharing five strategic ways for businesses to kick-start their year and position themselves for long-term success, Victoria emphasizes the importance of balancing short-term needs with long-term investments, leveraging global and regional strengths, harnessing sustainability, assessing wins and losses, and building partnerships. 

The episode offers valuable insights for businesses to help think critically about their future, make strategic investments, and take proactive steps to navigate the uncertainties of the market.

Is your business looking for a way to start strategically and quickly in 2024? Send Victoria a DM on LinkedIn and set up a 30-minute complimentary consultation where we talk about what are some strategic elements for your business to help you thrive and grow in 2024.

Don't miss this insightful episode with Victoria and learn more about the following:

• Industry Outlook in 2024
• 5 Ways to Start Strategically in a Flat/Challenging Market 
• Key Questions to Ask Your Business and Business Partners

Additional Links:

Episode 146:  Petrochemicals in 2024: Capacity Overbuild and Codependent Markets with John Richardson of ICIS

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Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
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Navigating the tumultuous waters of shipping logistics in the Red Sea and Panama Canal has never been more critical for the chemical industry. Join host Victoria Meyer as she interviews Farid Tahvildari, Managing Director at NUCO Logistics, who shares his wealth of experience and insights into the impact of current events on global shipping. 

From the challenges of increased shipping times due to geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea to the decreased transit availability through the Panama Canal, Farid provides valuable recommendations for businesses, highlighting the importance of adaptability and strategic planning. With rising imports and the ongoing struggle of shortages in equipment, this episode of The Chemical Show offers a timely and comprehensive look at the shipping challenges that lie ahead for the industry.

Learn more about the issues affecting the transportation of chemical products as Victoria and Farid discuss the following: 

• Red Sea events that are affecting shipping through the Suez Canal
• How excess shipping capacity is alleviating some of the global shipping predicament
• Shipping equipment restrictions and tightness affecting global shipping 
• Panama Canal challenges
• Alternatives to the Panama Canal
• Impacts on the logistics industry and customers and what's ahead in shipping

Killer Quote: "Plan accordingly, because everything is gonna take much longer than we are used to from last year... everything's tight. So buckle up." - Farid Tahvildari

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Additional Links:

Ep : How NUCO Logistics Pivoted During The Pandemic With Noushin Shamsili

Ep : Innovative Logistic Solutions With Noushin Shamsili Of NUCO Logistics

PortWatch - Great resource for tracking shipping activity through Panama Canal

Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
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Navigating the complexities of risk management in the chemical industry is no small feat, and this episode of The Chemical Show brings experts from Marsh to share insights on how companies can thrive amid emerging challenges. Victoria Meyer is joined by industry leaders like Steve Horstkamp, Susan Gonzales, Mike Kolodner, and Randal Waters to explore the unique risks chemical companies face, from cybersecurity threats to supply chain disruptions. With an in-depth look at risk assessment and digital transformation, they discuss how companies can strategically adapt, harnessing the power of analytics and collaboration to mitigate potential threats to their operations. 

The discussion broadens to encompass the global context of energy transition and the tangible impacts of climate change, as Amy Barnes and Milan Taylor weigh in on sustainability and the workforce of the future. Encouraging proactive planning and identifying areas of improvement, the conversation provides valuable advice for chemical leaders. Emphasizing the need for transparency, efficient resource allocation, and innovative risk management approaches, the episode offers a well-rounded perspective on keeping pace with industry evolution while maintaining resilience in an uncertain world. 

Be sure to check out the full episode to learn more about: 

• Navigating Chemical Risks 
• The Evolving Energy Landscape 
• Insights on Talent Management 
• The Reality of the Energy Transition 
• Adapting to Climate Challenges 
• Emerging Risks in Supply Chain 

Other links:  

Register for The 40th World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global this March 17 – 21 in Houston, Texas. The Chemical Show audience receives a special discount of 5%. Register today using code WPC2025ChemShow5%. 

Download: 10 Leadership Lessons for Chemical Executives 

Download: 7 Trends Shaping the Future of the Chemical Industry

Subscribe to The Chemical Show on YouTube 

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Discover how microscopic quantities of ingredients can make a monumental difference in everyday products. Victoria Meyer talks with Greg Adamson, Senior VP at Givaudan, about the world of fragrances and flavors. Greg brings insights from his journey as a toxicologist, touching on his experiences in both biotech and the household and consumer products industry. They dive into Givaudan’s crucial role in creating tastes and scents that are ever-present in our daily lives, and the complex regulations that ensure their safety and efficacy. 

Greg and Victoria explore the intricate dance between innovation and regulation. From influencing global chemical policies to ensuring that industry practices align with stringent safety standards, Greg discusses how Givaudan navigates these challenges. They also address the critical distinction between hazard and risk, and the pursuit of standardized regulations to simplify global operations. For those in the chemical industry or simply curious about the science behind everyday smells and tastes, this episode sheds light on the innovative and regulatory landscape of flavors and fragrances. 

Join us to learn more about the following topics this week: 

• Greg's career moves from Australian toxicologist to leading global regulatory 
• Givaudan's presence in consumer products and the importance of HCPA 
• Regulatory priorities and challenges: striving for national standardized regulations to increase innovation in chemicals 
• The importance of educating regulators and stakeholders on hazards versus risks 
• The importance of leading with passion 

Other links:  

Download: 10 Leadership Lessons for Chemical Executives 

Download: 7 Trends Shaping the Future of the Chemical Industry 

Subscribe to The Chemical Show on YouTube. 

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Discover how necessity is driving sustainable innovation in the chemical industry with host Victoria Meyer and guests Robert Dishman of Cyclx and Matt Adams of EFC Gases & Advanced Materials, winners of American Chemistry Council’s 2024 Sustainability Leadership Awards. 

Learn about Cyclyx’s pioneering partnership with industry giants like ExxonMobil and the opening of the world’s first chemical composition analysis centers (CCCs) to revolutionize recycling efforts. Robert Dishman delves into Cyclyx's mission to increase plastic collection and eliminate landfill-bound plastics, while also encouraging municipal and consumer engagement. 

Meanwhile, Matt Adams introduces EFC Gases’ award-winning Neon Gas Recycling System, which enhances supply chain stability and promotes circularity in semiconductor manufacturing. Victoria explores the environmental and cost-saving benefits of EFC’s technologies along with their long-term goal of sustainable pricing for rare gases.  

Gain insights on the following topics this week: 

• Recognizing ACC's 2024 Sustainability Leadership Awards 
• An introduction to EFC Gases and the importance of Neon in semi-conductors 
• How a supply-chain crisis inspired EFC's Neon Gas Recycling System 
• The role of Collaboration in plastics recycling and circularity 
• Cyclyx's formation by ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell and subsequent growth 
• Local communities are critical to success 

Additional Links: 

Chris Jahn: Sustainability Starts with Chemistry with ACC CEO Chris Jahn 

Michael Heinz: BASF CEO Michael Heinz on Sustainability, Energy, and Leadership 

Bonny Tully: Achieving Success in Chemicals: Sustainability and Leadership with Bonnie Tully of Evonik 

Daryl Roberts: Careers, Care, and The Future of Chemicals with Daryl Roberts of DuPont 

Kevin Norfleet: Carbon Capture and Customer Value with Kevin Norfleet of Celanese 

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Behavioral economics is revolutionizing the business world with Melina Palmer, CEO of The Brainy Business, and Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show®. Melina delves into the importance of social proof in influencing consumer decisions, showcasing how psychological principles can dramatically shape pricing strategies. Highlighting examples from luxury goods like the Birkin bag to New York City's $214 grilled cheese sandwich, she explains how scarcity, identity, and well-framed messaging can alter purchasing behavior irrespective of functionality.

Melina will be a speaker at The Chemical Summit on October 8-9, 2024 in Spring, Texas.   For details and tickets, visit thechemicalsummit.com.

Victoria and Melina discuss the profound impact language and framing have on decision-making, emphasizing the value of thoughtful communication in reducing stress and improving organizational efficiency. They share actionable insights on leveraging behavioral economics principles in B2B settings, experimenting with small focused tests, and leading teams with an openness to change and human-centric strategies. 

Tune in to hear Victoria and Eric discuss the following topics:

• Life as a series of micro moments and micro decisions
• Communicating with customers and getting them to buy your products
• The Truth About Pricing and the rest of the story
• Applying behavioral economics to B2B markets
• Linguistics as a part of value, pricing, and negotiations
• Aligning your business' communication and messaging
• Effective leadership in turning the tide more toward behavior centricity

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You've heard of Spotify Wrapped and Apple Replay???    In this final 2023 episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer presents our own version of Wrapped and Replayed.... with a best-of anthology, diving into the show's stats and analytics to highlight the most impactful episodes and topics. From the most downloaded episode featuring Michael Graff, CEO of AirLiquide Americas, to the most shared episode discussing China's aging demographics and its impact on the chemical industry, Victoria reviews the year's highlights and teases upcoming content, including a The Chemical Show LIVE event featuring Steve Lewandowski of Chemical Market Analytics.

***Register here for The Chemical Show LIVE on January 11, 2024.  Space is limited. ***

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Through insights from industry events, market assessments, and a focus on bio-based chemistries and innovations, thepodcast continues to deliver valuable stories and insights for the chemical community.

Killer Quote: "Podcasting is personal. It's impactful. It's real." - Victoria Meyer, The Chemical Show

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Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=DdZ2MA

Uncover the five key themes shaping the household and commercial products landscapes for 2025 as Victoria Meyer delves into insights from the HCPA annual meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For professionals in the chemical industry, staying informed about regulatory changes, state-level initiatives, and sustainability efforts is crucial.  

Victoria explores critical topics such as EPA regulations, state legislation alignment, extended producer responsibility, and the drive towards greener products. State-level regulation shifts are creating complex challenges, and the introduction of new administrations may have significant impacts on policies and business practices. Featuring clips from conversations with industry experts like Steve Caldeira, Steve Bennett, Mike Gruber, Nicholas Georges, and Molly Blessing, this episode provides a deep dive into the priorities and pressing issues within the HCPA.  

Join us to learn more about the following topics this week:

• HCPA's overarching themes: safety, efficacy, appropriate use, and transparency, in products and regulations 
• Building a more effective EPA and keeping consumers safe through PRIA and TSCA 
• Navigating state regulations and driving alignment 
• Making sustainability more available and easier to engage with in the chemical industry  
• Safe use of household and commercial products 
• Effects of Trump's Administration on the chemical industry 

Other links:  

Download: 10 Leadership Lessons for Chemical Executives  

Subscribe to The Chemical Show on YouTube. 

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Curious about the major strategic issues facing all aspects of the petrochemical industry? Learn more about what leading global experts and industry executives are discussing in terms of critical issues impacting the chemical market from the 2024 World Petrochemical Conference with host Victoria Meyer. With over 1500 attendees from 53 countries, representing 550 companies, conference topics ranged from decarbonization, to supply chain resilience, to the impact of geopolitical challenges on the shipping industry.

Victoria is joined by industry experts Tony Potter and Rahul Kapoor from S&P Global on this week’s episode of The Chemical Show to highlight the major takeaways from the WPC 2024. Through insightful discussions, Victoria and her guests explore the role of chemicals in the energy transition, regionalization of supply chains, and the progression towards sustainable technologies, offering valuable insights and engaging perspectives for professionals in the chemical and shipping industries. 

Join us this week as Victoria, Tony and Rahul discuss the following:

• The role of chemicals in the energy transition and decarbonization
• The need for alignment and collaboration in developing global standards around sustainability, ESG measurements, and other industry requirements
• The chemical industry is a vital part of the energy transition 
• Geopolitical challenges in the shipping industry
• The challenges of decarbonization in supply chains

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
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Wondering how we produce our podcast?

• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
• We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
  
  

We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t

Wondering how venture capital firms support the clean tech startup ecosystem?

Explore the intricacies of sustainable investing and leadership dynamics in the chemical industry with Rob van der Meij, a partner at Capricorn Partners in part 1 of this 2 part series. Host Victoria Meyer delves into Rob's expertise on ESG and impact investing, the vital role of leadership throughout a company's life cycle, and the emotional challenges founders face in relinquishing control. 

Hear about Capricorn Partners' unique approach to venture capital investment in cleantech and chemistry sectors, highlighting the importance of diversified investments and the innovation hurdles startups encounter.

Join us this week as Victoria and Rob discuss the following topics:

• Sustainable Investing
• Transitioning skills from big to small companies
• The role of venture capital in chemicals and clean tech
• Venture capital versus private equity
• Derisking and business development

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"People didn't think about the demographics enough. They didn't think about the role of real estate and debt. And they built capacity on the assumption of, say, 6% or 7% consistent growth, which we are unlikely to experience in the future." – John Richardson, Senior Consultant, ICIS

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer and guest John Richardson of ICIS discuss China's aging demographic and the future of the chemical industry. They delve into China's projections for becoming a net exporter in polypropylene, limitations on becoming a net exporter in polyethylene, and the current oversupply and weak demand growth in HDPE.

Topics covered include:

 - China's aging demographic and its impact on the future of the chemical industry

- The growth in China's petrochemical capacity and its impact on supply and demand in the market

- The factors influencing the chemical industry's margins and pricing, including fluctuations in energy costs

- The impact of geopolitical factors on the industry, including concerns about energy costs in Europe

- The impact of demographic changes on housing demand and local government spending in China

Whether you're in the industry or just curious about the global forces at play, this episode is essential listening.

https://www.icis.com/asian-chemical-connections/2023/06/why-china-could-become-self-sufficient-in-hdpe/

https://www.icis.com/asian-chemical-connections/2023/05/chinas-pp-industry-short-term-tactics-and-long-term-strategy/

China dominates global demand and is the largest importer of chemicals and polymers, so any initiative it takes affects the global market. In this episode, John Richardson, a Senior Consultant at ICIS, talks about the biggest contributor to the chemicals market in detail. John focuses on the polypropylene and polyethylene markets. These chemicals are primarily used for packaging, including plastic bags, plastic films, geomembranes, and containers. Due to issues with carbon emissions, China increased some restrictions and requirements for factories which resulted in supply chain issues for the chemical industry. John provides the objective analysis to manage businesses in today’s uncertain and ever-changing world. Stay tuned and find out more!

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The year 2022 has ended and we are now in 2023 with so many things ahead of us in our industry. Join Victoria and Trey Hamblet, the Vice President of Research at Industrial Info Resources (IIR), as they talk about the 2023 outlook on chemical investment, how that affects the chemical industry, and what people are expecting this year. 

In this episode, he’s going to give us some insights into capital spending, economic outlook, and many other interesting topics that we should be dealing with. We know that there are a lot of rumors in the investment world and capital spending world maintenance. But Trey was able to shed light on this as he shares his thoughts about his matter. He also mentioned in the interview that growth in demand for the chemical industry is very dependent on consumer consumption, global growth, and global markets. To learn more about that, join his interview with Victoria Meyer as they further discuss all of these in detail. 

To hear Trey’s 2022 Outlook, check out Episode 33 of The Chemical Show.

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