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Chemical Week

Chemical Week
Petrochemicals
China
Sustainability
Chemical Industry
Artificial Intelligence
Specialty Chemicals
Tariffs
Circular Economy
Europe
Energy Transition
Interest Rates
S&P Global Commodity Insights
De-Stocking
Petrochemical Production
Chemical Recycling
Supply Chains
Energy Costs
European Chemical Recycling
Crude Oil Demand
Feedstocks

The Chemical Week Podcast brings you authoritative insights from industry leaders and S&P Global Energy experts on the issues shaping the global chemical industry – covering petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, sustainability, innovation, market trends, supply chains, and policy and regulatory developments.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes172Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Business

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Latest Episodes

Federico Mennella, managing director and head of chemicals and materials, DC Advisory, joins host Vincent Valk for a discussion on the chemical M&A rebound in 2026. Large deals look to be returning as companies grow more comfortable with volatility a... more

Paul Kurias, S&P Global Ratings director, lead analyst, corporate ratings, and Danny Krauss, S&P Global Ratings director, join host Vincent Valk for a discussion on the 2026 credit outlook for the chemicals sector. The sector outlook remains mixed as... more

Hexion president and CEO, Michael Lefenfeld, joins host Vincent Valk for a discussion on how to embed AI into the day-to-day operations of a chemical company—optimizing manufacturing, supply chain logistics, and organizational processes while improvi... more

Mark Lustig, partner at consultancy PwC, joins the podcast to discuss the firm's chemicals manufacturing investment attractiveness index. Key points of discussion include which countries are the most attractive investment destinations now and in the ... more

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Recent Guests

Federico Mennella
Managing Director and Head of Chemicals and Materials at DC Advisory
DC Advisory (investment banking unit of Daiwa Group)
Episode: What's driving the chemical M&A rebound?
Paul Kurias
Director for Corporate Ratings Chemicals at S&P Global Ratings
S&P Global Ratings
Episode: Can chemical producers turn Middle East volatility into an advantage?
Danny Krauss
Director of Corporate Ratings for Chemicals at S&P Global Ratings
S&P Global Ratings
Episode: Can chemical producers turn Middle East volatility into an advantage?
Michael Lefenfeld
President and CEO of Hexion
Hexion
Episode: Embedding AI in chemical operations
Mark Lustig
Partner in the Chemical Strategy and Operations Practice at PwC
PwC
Episode: Which countries are most attractive for chemicals investment?
David Sewell
President and CEO of Solstice Advanced Materials
Solstice Advanced Materials
Episode: How are data centers, cooling and nuclear shaping advanced materials?
Mark Thomas
Editor-in-Chief, Chemical Week
Chemical Week
Episode: What are companies saying about the impact of the Iran conflict?
Vincent Valk
Senior Editor, S&P Global Energies
Chemical Week / S&P Global
Episode: What are companies saying about the impact of the Iran conflict?
Ian Young
Chemical Week's editor-in-chief (outgoing)
Chemical Week
Episode: How has the industry evolved over the past four decades?

Host

Vincent Valk
Host of the Chemical Week Podcast

Chart Rankings

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Apple Podcasts
#92
Saudi Arabia/Business

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What's driving the chemical M&A rebound?
Q: How is AI and AI-related demand shaping valuations in chemical M&A?
The guest notes that assets with meaningful exposure to AI infrastructure can command premium multiples, but valuations ultimately hinge on the company's execution, customer relationships, margin profile, and long-term demand growth. Not every chemical player will justify high multiples, with the strongest advantages going to firms with commanding positions and defensible moats.
What's driving the chemical M&A rebound?
Q: What is driving this rebound in M&A activity in chemicals?
Federico explains that a combination of rebound from a subdued period, greater comfort with volatility among buyers and sellers, strategic portfolio reassessments by large incumbents, and an active private equity environment are collectively fueling higher deal values and more aggressive deal execution, even as broader volumes remain more flat.
Embedding AI in chemical operations
Q: How did you approach embedding AI platforms into manufacturing operations after the SmartTech acquisition?
We integrated AI on top of unit operations, focusing on breaking and rebuilding processes to fit AI fluency, while ensuring alignment with safety and efficiency goals across plants.
Securing supply in a turbulent environment
Q: How has Univar's strategy adapted when the economy weakens or M&A slows down?
Univar benefits from being privately held, allowing strategic flexibility to invest in growth during downturns. They focus on targeted acquisitions to fill portfolio gaps, strengthen footprint in regions like Latin America and Europe, and invest in technology and people to emerge stronger when markets recover.
Securing supply in a turbulent environment
Q: AI and digitalization—how is AI used in Univar's operations today?
AI tools are used to speed up processes like matching invoices to payments, improve customer service, and, more broadly, leverage the vast data Univar holds to improve product recommendations, pricing, and overall operations. The company emphasizes that a single ERP system and robust data enable AI to be truly effective and give them a competitive edge.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Chemical Week

What is Chemical Week about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show regularly features senior industry voices- from CEOs and editors to policy advocates- discussing the big forces shaping the global chemical sector: supply chains, policy and regulation, pricing dynamics, and the shift toward sustainability and circularity. Episodes often center on macro trends like geopolitical tensions, energy costs, and global market realignments, with practical takeaways on how distributors, manufacturers, and investors navigate volatility. A standout pattern is the mix of leadership perspectives (corporate, trade associations, and data/price agencies) paired with data-driven insights on risk, resilience, and strategic investment. The show is especially useful for listeners who want timely, decision-ready conte... more

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Chemical Week launched 10 years ago and published 172 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Chemical Week?

Recent guests on Chemical Week include:

1. Federico Mennella
2. Paul Kurias
3. Danny Krauss
4. Michael Lefenfeld
5. Mark Lustig
6. David Sewell
7. Mark Thomas
8. Vincent Valk

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