Catalyzing the Transformation:

Trade wars and geopolitical tensions are reshaping global chemical trade flows.  Global supply chains, market access, and raw material sourcing are being reshaped by geopolitical considerations and protectionist measures.

Oversupply and changing demand patterns are forcing strategic asset rationalization, with closures concentrated in mature markets lacking feedstock advantages or facing prohibitive energy costs. This restructuring aims to restore profitability while addressing the shifting global investment landscape, including trends toward regionalization and "near-shoring.”

The industry is on the brink of what could be termed a "Golden Age of Feedstocks." Innovations in refining processes and the availability of affordable feedstocks, especially in the Middle East and the U.S., are driving growth. The exploration of renewable feedstocks is expanding the industry's horizons, promising a new era of competitiveness and sustainability. 

The energy transition will be more difficult, costly, and complicated than expected noted S&P Global's Daniel Yergin and Atul Arya. What's unfolding is energy "addition" rather than transition, with hydrocarbons maintaining a substantial share of the energy mix despite growth in renewables and alternatives. This reality must be reflected in petrochemical sector strategies. This complexity requires strategic recalibration for chemical makers: balancing sustainability investments with energy and feedstock security and affordability, capitalizing on continued market growth, and leveraging existing infrastructure.