Episode 1481: Think Tank: Europe more exposed as China ramps up exports, Suez Canal reopens

Episode 1481: Think Tank: Europe more exposed as China ramps up exports, Suez Canal reopens

From ICIS - chemical podcasts by ICIS - chemical podcasts

July 8, 2026 · 27 min · Episode 1481

About this episode

The episode discusses the increasing competition faced by Europe's chemical industry from China and other regions as the Suez Canal reopens.

Europe’s chemical industry will become increasingly exposed to competition from China, the Middle East and the rest of Asia if more shippers return to the Suez Canal. Maersk, Hapag-LLoyd reopen one Gemini service through the Suez Canal China becomes increasingly self-sufficiency in chemicals Switches from net importer to exporter for some important products Growth of chemicals post-2030 could be focussed in megasites with low carbon production linked to CCS/U (carbon capture and storage/utilization) US ethane prices have fallen, giving US producers more of a competitive advantage Introduction of US-EU trade deal will see tariffs on many US chemical imports fall from 6.5% to zero Note – this podcast was recorded on 7 July, 2026 In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS senior consultant John Richardson and ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown .

People in this episode

Host: Will Beacham

Guests: John Richardson, Tom Brown

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd

Places: Europe, US, China, Middle East, Suez Canal

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