It’s not so many weeks back that a shortage of trucks and containers, low water on the Rhine, meant that producers could not meet demand. More recently, the production of energy-intensive chemicals such as ammonia, methanol, VCM and so on has been slashed by 30% to 50% and more in some cases. As ICIS reported recent shutdowns and premature turnarounds are everywhere.
As you say, the European petchem sector is readying for some tough quarters ahead as industrial activity and consumer demand turns down. It’s a different picture in the US where demand remains strong and low-priced product is finding its way to Europe.
So is this the best time ever to find a new role in the chemical industry – if you are in Europe, you would expect me to say probably not. But actually, it depends. So let me give you four answers to this question:
By Andrew Kris, Borderless
Source: linkedin.com
PepsiCo Europe and crop nutrition company Yara have announced a long-term partnership aimed at providing European farmers with low-carbon crop nutrition solutions to help decarbonise the food value chain. Under the agreement, Yara will supply PepsiCo with up to 165,000 tons of fertiliser per year by 2030, covering around 25% of the food and beverage giant’s crop fertiliser needs across Europe.
BASF has signed an agreement to sell its flocculants business for mining applications to Solenis, a specialty chemicals manufacturer. The divestment of the flocculants business to Solenis is part of BASF’s ongoing portfolio optimisation with the aim of focusing on strategic core areas.
ADAMA Ltd. a leading crop protection company, announced that its board of directors has appointed Gaël Hili as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2024. Hili will join the Syngenta Group Leadership Team and will be based in Tel Aviv.