BARCELONA (ICIS)--EU leaders seem to recognize the need for action to reverse deindustrialization, but it risks being too little, too late for chemicals.

• EU chemicals regulation needs ambitious reform, not tinkering at the edges
• Chemical companies continue to close operations in Europe, partly driven by regulatory costs
• Expect a review of Reach regulation and “one substance one assessment” part of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability in 2026
• Sustainability reporting requirements are being watered down
• Proposed changes to the EU Waste Framework Directive will impact chemical recycling sector
• Risk of EU moving towards risk-based assessments, rather than hazard
• Restriction of lead in ammunition could stifle defence sector
• Move away from international rule of law means new approaches needed

In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Gerard McElwee and Peter Sellar from Squire Patton Boggs, ICIS Insight Editor Tom Brown and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.

LONDON (ICIS)--Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have seen a subdued level of activity in December amid ample supply across derivative markets and sluggish demand.

For 2026, many remain sceptical surrounding the prospect of demand recovery tied in part to the potential of infrastructure spending and any resolution to ongoing geopolitical issues.

Glycol ethers editor Cameron Birch speaks to oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate editor Marion Boakye and acrylate esters editor Mathew Jolin-Beech about market conditions and expectations for the near future.

In the second of a two-part Sustainably Speaking podcast special, Helen McGeough, ICIS Global Analyst Team Lead for Plastics Recycling talks to long-standing veterans of the European recycling industry about the current state of the market and steps for the future.

In Part 2, Helen is joined by Bernard Merkx who has an extensive background in the recycling industry and is the former President of Plastics Recyclers Europe, to take a look at the challenges still facing the recycling markets today, including:

• Risk of bankruptcies, high energy costs and price volatility to persist to 2027
• New recycling capacities focused on packaging at the expense of the automotive and construction sector despite upcoming recycled content targets
• How imports into the EU remain essential in the short-term
• Plus some calls to action for Europe’s recycling industry