Is China’s strategic push for chemical self-sufficiency reshaping the global petrochemical landscape? John Richardson, senior consultant at ICIS, joins The Chemical Show to share insights on how misjudged growth expectations for China, shifting demographics, and the rise of state-driven capacity expansions have led to the deepest, longest downturn in industry history. John and host Victoria Meyer examine why capacity was built around hopes for perpetual strong Chinese demand, only for real estate and demographic headwinds to alter the trajectory—creating a world of oversupply, negative margins, and mounting uncertainty.

Their conversation covers the ongoing impact of trade tensions, the real drivers behind Chinese investment decisions, and why shutting down uneconomical assets is becoming a pressing necessity, especially in Europe and Asia. John and Victoria also weigh the challenges and promises of AI and data intelligence in a conservative, data-guarded sector, and offer advice for industry leaders navigating persistent market disruption. For chemical professionals, these perspectives highlight why adaptability, intelligence, and innovation will be critical in mastering both today’s volatility and tomorrow’s opportunities.

Discover more about the following topics:

• How China's pivot from growth to self-sufficiency is reshaping global petrochemicals.
• Why chemicals face their worst business cycle ever, with Asian producers bleeding money on polyethylene.
• How tariffs and shifting policies create constant uncertainty for chemical companies.
• Why China's government-backed enterprises compete on strategy, not just cost.
• How data and artificial intelligence will separate industry winners from losers.

00:00 Chemical Industry Insights by John

06:08 Domestic Chemical Manufacturing Expansion

08:48 Polyethylene Margins: China vs. Middle East

11:31 Tariffs and Global Business Perspectives

14:43 China's Trade Resilience Amid Challenges

20:23 Data Sharing's Impact on AI

23:50 Debating Productivity's True Impact

26:34 AI: Industrial Revolution or Renaissance?

30:49 Innovative Multi-Pane Glass Advancements

31:43 Innovative, Stronger Glass Advances

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Performance is taking center stage in the beauty and personal care ingredients sector, as revealed on the floor of NYSCC Suppliers Day 2025. Host Victoria Meyer explores the notable shift away from buzzwords like “sustainability” and “natural,” uncovering how companies are reframing their focus towards innovation, plant-based solutions, and advanced product performance.

Victoria is joined by John Harrold of Zinco Verde, who discusses novel, energy-efficient zinc oxide for sunscreens, and Christoph Krumm of Sironix Renewables, highlighting breakthroughs in bio-based surfactants derived from agricultural waste. The conversation unpacks how trends like neurocosmetics, microbiomes, and a pragmatic approach to environmental benefits are shaping the industry’s direction. Get a first-hand perspective on what’s driving R&D, purchasing, and consumer choices in today’s dynamic beauty ingredient market.

Gain insights on the following topics:

• Innovation Takes Center Stage: Companies are pivoting away from buzzwords like “sustainability” and “natural,” putting real innovation and performance at the heart of product development.
• Neurocosmetics and Microbiome Science and how new ingredients target mood and neurological benefits alongside appearance, while microbiome-friendly formulations gain traction.
• Sustainability Reconsidered: Companies shift from "sustainability" rhetoric to pragmatic solutions and value-driven innovation.
• Plant-Based Performance: Industry messaging replaces "natural" with "plant-based" and "performance”.
• Start-up leaders discuss bringing advanced technologies to market

Killer Quote: “If you had asked me this when we spun out as a company, I would have told you bio based is the innovation, right? That is the reason for existing. That's really not the case. As we found. Bio based ingredients matter. People still want them. The reason for existing for us is performance.” — Christoph Krumm, CEO of Sironix

0:00:24 Bonnie’s career in chemicals

0:02:51 Responsible Care principles at Evonik

0:04:20 Sustainability's growing importance.

0:05:13 Evonik's sustainability pillars: next-generation solutions, technology, and culture.

0:06:34 Customer demand for sustainable solutions

0:08:29 The importance of culture in driving change

0:13:49 Leadership and career lessons, women in leadership roles, Bonnie's career advice

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• We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
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Innovation and uncertainty are reshaping the personal care ingredients market, driven by pressures ranging from sustainability and natural ingredient demands to regulatory shifts and the opportunities presented by AI. Sunanda Desai, Vice President at Klein and Company, joins host Victoria Meyer to discuss the factors transforming the $30 billion personal care ingredients sector. They explore how consumer trends toward well-being and neurocosmetics are redefining product development, and examine the impacts of tightening tariffs, shifting regulations, and supply chain disruptions on industry strategies.

Victoria and Sunanda address how leading companies are using digitalization and AI to drive hyper-personalization and enhance ingredient efficacy assessments, even as market adoption remains uneven. From managing uncertainty with “no regret” moves to evaluating manufacturing footprints and potential M&A, this episode offers timely insights for leaders navigating a turbulent landscape. Sunanda also shares strategic advice for industry professionals and highlights opportunities for growth despite today’s volatile environment.

Learn more about these topics this week:

• Examining the personal care ingredients market and the key trends driving the $30B industry
• How top companies respond to market volatility, tariffs, and regulations with "no regret" strategic approaches to maintain agility.
• How AI technologies are revolutionizing ingredient assessment and product personalization in personal care.
• Opportunities in Disruption: Quick wins, cross-selling, and M&A possibilities as companies reformulate products and restructure supply chains (Maybe we don't want to mention M&A??)
• Sunanda Desai shares advice on seizing opportunities to pivot (roles and industries) and building a successful career in chemicals and personal care.

00:00 "Personal Care Ingredients Market Insights"

04:36 Personal Care Ingredients Market Overview

09:11 AI's Role in Personalization and Optimization

13:29 Strategic Moves for Ingredient Suppliers

14:42 Thriving Through No-Regret Moves

20:28 "Investment Challenges in Manufacturing Moves"

22:06 Seize Opportunities with Confidence

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Uncertainty is the new normal for the chemical industry, but leaders still need to make smart decisions that drive business forward. Victoria Meyer tackles the critical actions leaders should be taking at the midyear point of 2025, offering strategic advice for operating in volatile markets, maintaining resilient supply chains, and effectively communicating through change. With insights from industry leaders, she highlights the importance of scenario planning, mindful diversification, and strategic cash management while emphasizing the value of strong relationships across the business ecosystem.

Victoria also spotlights the upcoming The Chemical Summit in Houston, which centers on leadership through industry transformation, and explores the internal and external moves executives are using to keep their teams focused and adaptive.

Learn more about these topics this week:

• Midyear Reset: Now is the time to pause, reassess, and recalibrate your business strategies for the rest of 2025
• Leading Through Uncertainty: Unpack the specific challenges chemical companies are facing this year
• Smart leadership moves and the five key actions that drive confident decision-making and resilient operations
• The power of strategic relationships: why reinforcing existing partnerships and building new ones across the supply chain is more important than ever before
• Seizing opportunity in change: Learn how industry leaders are preparing for the unexpected

00:00 "Chemical Summit: Leadership Through Change"

05:35 "Six Leadership Tactics for Uncertain Times"

07:53 Enhancing Internal and External Communication

12:04 Clarifying Goals and Strengthening Relationships

16:40 Refocusing on Diversified Supply Chains

17:52 Strategic Diversification in Markets

21:57 Strategic Investment and Relationship Management

25:07 Midyear Reset for Leaders

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The speed of communication during a crisis can determine whether a company maintains control of its story or loses it to speculation and misinformation. Gerard Braud, crisis communications expert, joins host Victoria Meyer to share real-world insights from decades of experience in both journalism and the chemical industry, emphasizing the critical need for rapid, clear, and well-prepared communication when incidents occur.

Together, they explore how chemical companies can build effective crisis communication strategies, prepare holding statements, tackle challenges like incomplete information and confidentiality, and leverage tools such as SituationHub to streamline the process. With practical examples and straightforward advice, Gerard and Victoria discuss why preparation on a “clear, sunny day” is essential to protect revenue, reputation, and brand in the face of crisis—highlighting what every chemical industry leader should know before the next incident hits the news.

Learn more about these topics this week:

• Inside the Mind of a Crisis Expert: Gerard Braud's career from his early days as a TV journalist to a crisis communications advisor for the industry.
• Redefining Crisis Response: why traditional, slow corporate communication puts companies at risk
• Mistakes Companies Make: what happens when companies don’t prepare
• The New Rules of Media Engagement
• Leadership on the Worst Day

Other Links:

Managing Crisis Communications: How To Save Your Reputation With Gerard Braud

00:00 Crisis Communications in Chemicals

03:32 Streamlining Crisis Communications

07:33 Crisis Communication Tool: SituationHub

12:49 "Crisis Communication Holding Statement"

15:04 App Privacy and HIPAA Compliance

17:58 "Effective Media Training with Scripts"

21:29 Crisis Communication Strategy Essentials

25:29 Rethinking PR Quotes and Efficiency

26:32 Manipulating Media with Built-In Quotes

30:18 Engage, Share, Stay Tuned

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Starting your career is more than landing that first job—it’s about building a foundation for lifelong growth and opportunity. With graduation season in full swing, Victoria Meyer shares her most impactful career advice for new graduates in and beyond the chemical industry, drawing on insights from industry leaders and her own journey. From embracing the career marathon to building a strong network or “work posse,” finding your expertise, and knowing when to speak up, Victoria offers practical tips that every professional can use—whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your career.

Financial wisdom, communication skills, and seizing new opportunities are at the heart of this episode, alongside the encouragement to take calculated risks and develop a joy for success over fear of failure. Perfect for bookmarking and sharing with colleagues or the new grads in your life, this episode delivers concise guidance and inspiration for anyone ready to thrive in their professional journey.

Get ready for an in-depth look at these topics this week:

• 00:00 Career Advice for Chemical Professionals
• 03:35 Career Advice: Embrace the Journey
• 06:50 Build Your Posse
• 11:50 "Seize Opportunities"
• 13:14 Career Growth Takes Time
• 17:16 "Communication: Key to Success"
• 20:12 Congrats, Class of 2025!

Tariffs are shaking up the global chemical industry this year, creating uncertainty and shifting longstanding trade routes in unexpected ways. Victoria Meyer is joined by Joseph Chang and Al Greenwood of ICIS Chemical Business to break down the latest round of tariffs, including the dramatic 145% rate on Chinese imports and the sweeping, if temporary, 10% baseline affecting nearly every other country. They analyze how chemical markets from the US to Europe and Asia are being impacted, exploring falling product prices, disrupted supply chains, and the broader economic pressures facing manufacturers and end users alike.

With insights into policy-driven chaos, shifting sourcing strategies, and the growing ripple effects on sectors like housing and automotive, this episode highlights why strategic scenario planning, supply chain transparency, and adaptability are more critical than ever for chemical leaders.

Get ready for an in-depth look at these topics this week:

• Exploring the 2025 tariff policies and how they are reshaping chemical trade flows
• The economic ripple effects of the tariff policies
• Supply chain resilience and why chemical companies must map their entire supply chains
• Energy market dynamics: what is benefitting US chemical producers and what are the challenges
• Strategic planning in uncertainty and navigating the 90-day tariff pause

Killer Quote: "Look at your supply chains. Which products are you getting from Vietnam? Which products are you getting from lower tariff countries? And see where is the most advantageous supplier with the tariffs, and also look at product substitution... You have to be cognizant, not just of your supplies, but also your products. Which products could be affected by influx of displaced shipments?" - Al Greenwood

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