Running a chemical distribution company in a conflict zone such as Lebanon requires determination and agility to keep the business running while ensuring the safety of employees.

- High levels of stress but a resolve to adapt to conflict conditions

- Very difficult operating environment with displaced population

- Maintaining stock levels is a key challenge

- Hazardous material moved to a warehouse out of Beirut and away from other high-risk zones

- Back-up office created to allow work to continue during times of high conflict

- Less transport by sea through port of Beirut and more via land crossings to Syria

- Impossible to get insurance coverage for logistics in conflict zones

- Shift of commercial terms to cash in advance before delivery

- Banking system has become very primitive

In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Dany Njeim, CEO of RN Chemicals, based in Lebanon and Italy and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.

LONDON (ICIS)--A turbulent Q2 saw the phenol and acetone value chain rocked by geopolitical disruption, cost inflation and shifting supply-demand dynamics, with prices surging before easing as markets rebalanced.

In this Q2 episode of the Acetone and Derivatives podcast, ICIS experts unpack the key drivers across phenol, acetone, BPA, epoxy and polycarbonate, and explore a cautious, uncertain outlook for Q3 amid weak demand, ample supply and ongoing global volatility.

MMA markets editor Mathew Jolin-Beech is joined by Acetone and phenol editor Jane Gibson, Heidi Finch senior editor for the European BPA and epoxy resins, Sam Lovatt on PC, and Michele Bossi - analyst for the chain.

From March to May, China has exported record amounts of chemicals despite falling production as companies work through huge inventories built up over the past few years.

• China chemicals production has fallen, but exports are soaring
• Inventory levels in China are much higher than people suspected
• Higher prices mean that this is now being exported
• China operators still run despite poor economics, domestic demand
• They have been stockpiling, now selling this inventory
• May data confirm the trend is continuing
• 20% of global olefins supply has been disrupted by the Middle East war
• 45% of Asia ethylene supply outside of China was offline in April
• Record capacity additions mean oversupply will continue for 5-10 years
• From 2030 China will add less new capacity

In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS senior polyolefins analyst James Wilson and ICIS senior consultant John Richardson.