COVID, Capacity: additions and rationalizations, when will we see a Comeback for industry margins?
COVID vaccines have been developed which offers optimism for reopening of economies and a return to historical olefin demand growth. The big issue is the overbuild in capacity in the world of olefins during 2020 and that anticipated to start up in 2022 and 2023. Without rationalization, it will take time to absorb the overbuild. Will rationalization of less competitive assets play a role in a quicker return of margins.
Protecting Our Health, Building Our Future
The fight against Covid 19 would not be possible without the chemical industry. Not all parts of the industry have taken a demand hit; indeed sectors such as surfactants and biocides have seen a spike in demand. We will present a segment by segment overview of the specialties industry highlighting winners and losers of the pandemic; deep dive presentations on the weapons involved in the fight eg hand sanitizer ingredients and the non-woven fabrics used in protective masks; as well as a look at some high demand growth materials essential to the future growth of our economies, such as battery raw materials and high performance thermoplastics.