Chemical Week Chemical Week

Dow CEO Jim Fitterling and Evonik deputy chairman Harald Schwager chat with Chemical Week editor-in-chief Rob Westervelt about their views on chemical markets for 2024, energy transition, European competitiveness, and Dow's net-zero cracker in Alberta. The interviews were recorded live at the 2024 World Petrochemical Conference in March.

Rob Westervelt, editor-in-chief of Chemical Week and Antionette Smith, senior editor/chemicals at S&P Global Commodity Insights, join podcast host Vincent Valk to discuss key takeaways from this year's World Petrochemical Conference and read some tea leaves on what to look out for in first- quarter earnings.

Katja Wodjereck, executive vice president/renewable products at Neste, is interviewed by S&P Global Commodity Insights editors Iris Poon and Dias Kazym on Neste's views on renewable fuels and chemicals. Topics include the company's strategy in renewables, the role of regulation, and whether renewable feedstocks are competitive in the market.

With the World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global getting underway in Houston, join Chemical Week editors Clay Boswell, Mark Thomas and Vincent Valk for a special episode on key trends for the petrochemicals sector in 2024 and what to watch out for at WPC. Topics the outlook for demand and margins, the diverging fortunes of the European and American industry, and why Asia can attract investment despite subpar economics.

Irene Tasi, senior vice president/global industrials at PPG, joins the podcast for a discussion of the evolving role of women and state of gender equality in the chemicals industry. Topics include what the industry can to do attract and retain women, how the industry can be a home for people with diverse personal and professional backgrounds, and what work still needs to be done to advance equality.

Jennifer Abril, president and CEO of Socma, the US trade association for specialty and custom chemical makers, joins the podcast to discuss how the year is looking for companies in the sector. Topics include a topsy-turvy 2023, the likely end of destocking, interest in AI, and Socma's advocacy agenda for 2024.
This episode was recorded live at the Socma Show 2024 in Nashville, Tenn. on February 20.