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Ep 179 Show Notes  

Geopolitical shifts, economic challenges, and sustainability goals are reshaping the global chemical industry. John Richardson, senior consultant at ICIS, joins host Victoria Meyer to delve into the market's uncertainties and logistical issues affecting Europe, the repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine war, and the potential of developing markets like India and Africa. John sheds light on critical issues such as the demand-supply imbalance for commodity chemicals, Europe's struggle with high energy costs, and China's evolving role from a dominant importer to a potential major exporter of synthetic resins. 

Victoria and John also explore the wider scope of sustainability within the chemical industry, examining Europe's pursuit of a circular economy amidst complex regulatory landscapes and fluctuating geopolitical risks. They discuss the impact of demographic changes on consumer behavior, and the shifting focus towards eco-friendly products. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of the forces shaping the chemical market's future, from rising sustainability efforts to adapting strategic decisions in a dynamically changing global landscape. 

Join us to gain insights on the following topics this week: 

1. Chemical markets in the 2nd half of 2024 and leading into 2025 
2. Overcapacity and supply-demand imbalance 
3. China's economic slowdown and demographic changes have significantly impacted global chemical demand. 
4. The rising middle class in developing countries, including China, India, and others, has driven increased demand for chemicals and plastics 
5. Geopolitical tensions have disrupted supply chains, increased energy costs, and created uncertainty in the market 
6. Circularity struggles - infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, and feedstock availability 
7. 10 interconnected forces shaping the new global chemical landscape 
8. Big commodity chemicals winners and losers 

"China's historical impact on global polymer demand is profound, but with the shifting sands of demographics and geopolitics, the future may see other developing countries rising, albeit not at the breakneck pace we've witnessed. The global chemical industry must pivot and adapt to these emerging complexities and opportunities." – John Richardson 

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Ep 178 Show Notes - How Collaboration, Customers, and Community Contribute to Sustainability

Uncover the impactful stories behind the winners of American Chemistry Council’s 2024 Sustainability Leadership Awards, as host Victoria Meyer dives into projects from Celanese, PPG, and DuPont. Kevin Norfleet from Celanese shares insights on their Carbon Capture and Utilization Project, a breakthrough in emissions reduction that won them the Circularity Award. Meanwhile, Garry Grant from PPG discusses their climate-friendly innovations in automotive coatings, a project that earned the Climate Award. 

Mary Reinthal from DuPont highlights their Clear Into the Future grant program, showcasing how DuPont is fostering community engagement and social responsibility across the globe. From land restoration in Michigan to urban forestry in Seoul, their initiatives reflect a deep commitment to societal and environmental betterment.  

 

Join us to gain insights on the following topics this week: 

• The why behind Celanese's CCU project, winner of ACC's Circularity Award 
• Fitting into the circular space with CO2 circularity 
• How PPG is reducing the energy intensity in the automotive paint shop with their new paint line, winning ACC's Climate award 
• Opportunities to reduce power usage and CO2 production by taking it a different approach to paints and coatings and adhesives that go into automotive processes. 
• Dupont's Clear into the Future project funding nonprofit organizations to work on sustainable development initiatives in the communities, winner of ACC's Social Responsibility and Community Engagement Award 
• Creating community and local connection as employees of a Global company 

 

Killer Quote: “There is an inherent circularity that exists within the chemical industry. If you just look at your business and your processes, you'll find that there's a lot of circularity because of efficiency, because we want to save money and save costs, and then save the environment." - Victoria Meyer, Host of The Chemical Show 

 

Additional Links: 

ACC’s 2024 Sustainability Leadership Awards Episode Part 1: Driving Innovation in Recycling: Inside ACC’s Sustainability Awards with Cyclyx and EFC Gases 

Chris Jahn: Sustainability Starts with Chemistry with ACC CEO Chris Jahn 

Michael Heinz: BASF CEO Michael Heinz on Sustainability, Energy, and Leadership 

Bonny Tully: Achieving Success in Chemicals: Sustainability and Leadership with Bonnie Tully of Evonik 

Daryl Roberts: Careers, Care, and The Future of Chemicals with Daryl Roberts of DuPont 

Kevin Norfleet: Carbon Capture and Customer Value with Kevin Norfleet of Celanese

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Wondering how a unicorn startup in the chemical industry is changing the business of chemicals? Join host Victoria Meyer as she speaks with Gaurab Chakrabarti, co-founder and CEO of Solugen, to explore innovative approaches that challenge the traditional paradigms of bigger, more efficient assets. Their conversation delves into alternative solutions for reducing carbon intensity, emphasizing the importance of local supply chains and circular feedstocks.

Gaurab Chakrabarti is a force in the chemical industry, renowned for his unique journey from aspiring medical doctor to pioneering entrepreneur. A Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, Gaurab's passion for studying pancreatic cancer led him to uncover parallels between cancer biology and chemical processing, ultimately inspiring him to co-found Solugen. Alongside his best friend Sean Hunt, Gaurab is committed to decarbonizing the chemical industry through innovative enzymatic catalysts and scalable, high-yield processes.

Learn more as Victoria and Gaurab discuss the following topics:

• An unconventional start to a career: from physician to scientist to Forbes 30 under 30
• Solugen's framework of decarbonization
• Growing into a 2 billion company and the expectations that arise
• How receiving a DOE loan creates an inflection point in growth
• Workforce and cultural evolution of Solugen
• Gaurab's career insights and advice

Killer Quote: "To build something of generational value, it's essential to ensure the problem you're solving is meaningful and worth committing to for at least ten years. The journey is long and challenging, but the personal and professional growth it accelerates is truly rewarding." 

–Gaurab Chakrabarti

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When it comes to chemical prices, the China market has a big role to play. Their economy is at a halt, and no one really knows how long it will stay that way. Join Victoria Meyer as she talks John Richardson, a Senior Consultant at ICIS. Find out how China's Zero COVID Policy and the ongoing demand destruction are damaging the entire chemical market. Take a deep dive into the state of polymers across the continents of Asia and Europe, specifically Polyethylene and Polypropylene.  

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There are changes in what matters to the customers in the chemical industry. Kevin Huntsman, President of Mastio & Company, shares these trends and how businesses must respond to these insights into the customer experience. Kevin specializes in survey design and data collection in the chemical and energy industries and does a lot of work in transportation and logistics. He has been helping provide data-based insights into customer value for over two decades. In this episode, he openly shares how they gather this data and its impact on how business leaders in the industry should look at their processes and operations. Join his chat with host Victoria Meyer as they discuss the customer perspective and share thoughts on the current state of supply chain challenges.

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Current technology and the power of the internet gave birth to an interconnected world. In this age of globalization, there are countless opportunities to build a global enterprise – only if you know the right strategies to do so. Victoria Meyer sits down with Yubo Li, who talks about transforming Jiahua Chemicals from a Chinese private company into a global enterprise group through a systematic global synergetic lean management. He discusses how they pulled this off while navigating a major market decline by working with research universities and prioritizing customer needs. Yubo also explains how they combine technology with chemistry and manage a global team composed of people from different cultures.

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Boron is the second strongest material in the elemental chart, only second to diamonds. Given its incredible resistance, it is found in almost everything: fiberglass, insulation, batteries, motors, and even carpets. Despite these applications, Boron usually sits in the background and is rarely used. But for J.T. Starzecki and their entire team at 5E Advanced Materials, it could be the next lithium. Joining Victoria Meyer, he talks about their sustainable mining operations integrated with a boron acid production facility, saving them time from digging and creating hundreds of jobs as well. J.T. also shares the biggest challenges their company has faced and the best characteristics of an ideal business partnership.

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All industries are challenging, especially the manufacturing industry. There’s a growing skill gap, a decline in effective leadership, and a growing challenge of how to approach the market. So what are the secrets of industry winners like AdvanSix, the fully integrated manufacturer of Nylon 6 resin, chemical intermediates, and ammonium sulfate fertilizer, in actually thriving in the market? Join us in this episode as Sarah Waller, the Vice President and General Manager of Nylon Solutions at AdvanSix, shares her journey with the company and how they’re approaching today’s markets!

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The pandemic has forced the hand of several industries to speed up their development and move forward with digitalization. But how has this move impacted the “marketing DNA” of these organizations? Here to dissect the topic is Jonathan Copulsky. Jonathan is a Professor at Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, serving as the academic director for business marketing strategy as part of their executive education program, and has been in the marketing industry for over 40 years. In this chat with Victoria Meyer, Jonathan explains the impact of the pandemic on the internal processes of sales and marketing within the chemical industry. He tackles the growing need for executive marketing roles and the use of technology to drive growth in the digital sphere. Jonathan also breaks down five iconic archetypes of ways that companies are great marketers in the B2B context. Tune in to learn more and get valuable insight to propel your business forward.

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Are you looking for a commerce platform where sourcing raw materials are simple, from search to logistics? In this episode of The Chemical Show, Scott Barrows, the CEO of BluePallet shares how they are building digital commerce solutions for the chemical industry. Scott also shares that they are studying what's happened in the past, not only the platforms in the chemical industry that have come and gone but also how technology digitization of commerce has affected other industries that have maybe a little bit further along. With the concerns about marketplaces creating a level of standardization that can take away the unique value that the company provides or that distributor provides to its customers, Scott explains how they turn that around and how that plays out. Tune in to this insightful episode to hear more about an end-to-end chemical commerce platform that provides solutions for search, logistics, transactions, and everything in between!

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Pilot Chemical Company has been a successful, family-owned enterprise for 70 years and they continue to grow and innovate. How do they do it? What differentiates Pilot from other chemical companies? Learn all the answers in today's episode. Join Victoria Meyer as she talks to the Vice President of Technology & Innovation/Corporate Development at Pilot Chemical Company, Glynn Goertzen. Learn why Pilot values their customer experience so they can create trust with their customer. Find out how they continue to innovate with their core technologies like sulfonation and sulfation. Discover how they've grown and are continuing to be a sustainable chemical company. 

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It’s no secret that many salespeople don't know what procurement people want, and vice versa. Wouldn’t it be simpler if each side could just ask the other what they need? Selling and buying are all about building relationships and trust with one another, something that our guest today has been doing for 37 years with Exxon Mobil. Join Victoria Meyer as she talks to retired commercial expert Marty Levine about his career and experience with Exxon Mobil. Marty took on sales, sales management, market development, and several leadership roles in procurement with Exxon Mobil. Learn what sales and procurement need so everyone can show up as a hero. Discover the importance of strategies and teaching the future generation of the business. Start building trusting relationships today!

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The majority of buyers these days are internet-savvy and digitally literate. For the chemical industry to keep up with its changing and rising demands, it must fully embrace digital commerce. Joining Victoria Meyer is David Haase, President of ChemDirect, to talk about the benefits of selling chemical products over the internet. He shares efficient strategies to cope with the people's need for rapid customer service and convenient information access. David also explains how to address the industry's issues with online transparency and the much bigger costs of digital adoption, allowing it to survive in a technological future.

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How essential are strong business relationships and how can geopolitical tensions shape chemical industry business strategies? Host Victoria Meyer sits down with Franklin Fisher, founder and CEO of South Carolina Chemical, and a seasoned expert in international sourcing, contract manufacturing, and supply chain management this week on The Chemical Show®.

Frank shares his insights on the pressing issues affecting the chemical industry today, from the impact of geopolitical tensions on global supply chains to the practical and ethical considerations of reshoring operations. The conversation also navigates through his career journey, spotlighting the role of empathy in leadership and the unexpected freedom of running his own business. 

Be sure to tune in to learn more about the following topics this week:

• How Frank continued seeking challenges to develop academic and professional success
• A new company born in retirement: South Carolina Chemical
• Assessing a company’s competitiveness in a global marketplace
• Is regionalization a trend or a long-term solution?
• Leading a big enterprise versus leading a small enterprise
• The importance of empathy in leadership

Killer Quote: "The true power in business isn't just about finding the lowest cost; it’s about building and sustaining relationships that can weather the storm of global uncertainties. It’s about understanding that sometimes, the value of a partnership goes beyond the price tag."

 – Frank Fisher

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We are at a very interesting intersection of market growth, innovation, and sustainability. For the chemical industry, this means seeing a number of companies entering the markets in relatively new waters. In this episode, Victoria Meyer flies solo as she gleans into the lessons from many of the industry leaders of green or renewable chemistry companies that have graced the show. She recalls their wisdom about market entry and the key points to succeed. From partnerships to the three phases of market development, Victoria captures them all. So join this brief but insightful conversation and gain the wisdom of some of this industry's innovators into one!

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Jennifer McIntyre and Kelly Gilroy came to the chemical industry at different points in their lives. Jennifer started young, having been surrounded by a family who was already in the field. Kelly bloomed late, finding a connection to the industry while attending banking school. However different, both found value in the opportunities of creating a difference in chemicals through Univar Solutions. In this episode, they join Victoria Meyer to tell us about their careers and how they grew into their roles in the company—Jennifer as the Senior Vice President and Chief People and Culture Officer, and Kelly as the Vice President of Sustainable and Natural Products. They share how they create their own unique culture that puts importance on the employee, customer, and supplier experiences and how they go about digital transformation and sustainability.

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The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global shutdown on an unprecedented scale. While a huge number of companies could not jump back after this worldwide crisis, some still managed to survive. Vink Chemicals is one of those that faced a COVID-hit market and proved bigger than its long list of adversities. Victoria Meyer talks with the brilliant minds behind this company, Branko Ulaga and Diana Lima. They share how they pulled this off despite their industry's highly regulated environment and unpredictable nature. Branko and Diana also share secrets on building an effective virtual team, designing reliable customer service, and securing business partnerships in different regions and cultures globally.

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Many people have tried innovating and coming up with new ideas for a more sustainable world, but only a few have made a dent. The process is long, and it takes more than a brilliant mind to develop a breakthrough product that would revolutionize the use of plastic. One of those few is Avantium. In this episode, CEO Tom van Aken shares their initiatives that would soon revolutionize plant-to-plastics technology, and conversion of industrial sugars, in addition to using plant-based carbon sources. He also shares the importance of getting the right partners on board to commercialize new technologies and how that consortium fosters trust, cooperation, and collaboration in moving everything to a renewable and sustainable level.

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It's hard to recruit the right talent in the chemical industry because it's a very complicated and specialized industry. It’s looking for a specific set of skills, especially with the rise of technological innovation. Join Victoria Meyer as she talks to Ron Malachuk about talent acquisition and how to retain them. Ron is a Partner in the Chicago office of JM Search and a core member of the firm’s Chemicals and Materials practice. Learn what skills are needed to be a CEO or part of the board. Discover the importance of networking, especially in the chemical industry. Tune in and start mapping out your career today.

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The pandemic, disputes, recession, and inflation are just a few of the adversities that we all have to get through. But imagine what it's like to be in logistics. It's one thing for a company to keep afloat and another to advance. NUCO Logistics has not only done both, but they were also awarded the Ecovadis Silver Medal for their compliance in the areas of environment, ethics, labor, human rights, and sustainable approach to Shipping and Freight Forwarding. In this episode, President and CEO, Noushin Shamsili talk about the challenges that logistics are facing today and how recognizing areas of improvement and taking action can bring about more opportunities. She also gives insights on the importance of sustainability and shares the measures they’ve taken in their commitment to providing innovative solutions for their customers’ logistic needs. 

 

This episode is sponsored by Grace.

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Two heads are better than one. When building a business or providing service, having partners and leveraging their strengths is key to scaling your business. In this episode, Gulay Serhatkulu, Senior Vice President of Performance Materials North America at BASF, stresses the importance of partnership and teamwork when it comes to innovation and meeting specific client needs. She also talks about how generational differences play into managing expectations, innovation, and the quality and speed of delivering solutions. Tune in and learn more about BASF's unique approach and strategy to improve the overall customer experience.  

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Distribution is such an important part of the chemical industry, but we don’t often get to hear from the people who make this vital link possible. In this episode, Terry Hill, the CEO of Barentz, talks about a variety of things that are transforming this particular side of the industry right now. Sitting down with Victoria Meyer, Terry compares what the industry was like when he started and how it has changed and evolved over the years. He pays particular attention to the cultural shift and the adoption of digital technology that is accelerating change and innovation in the space. Tune in and learn a lot of things from this insightful conversation with an industry veteran. 

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Plastic has been around for the longest time and is the staple material for packaging. And with the recent pandemic and online shopping, you would think that the use of plastic has diminished, but you couldn’t be more wrong. It has increased significantly along with the misconception of destroying the planet. Would you believe that you, as the consumer, play the biggest role in the life cycle of plastic materials and how it affects the environment? In this episode, Jonathan Quinn, Director of Market Development and Sustainability at Pregis, shares their commitment to preserving the environment. He also talks about the Emerging Leadership Council’s mission and the importance of educating the consumers, especially the younger generation, about the value of recyclable flexible materials and avoiding misconceptions about the use of flexible packaging and plastic recycling. Tune in and learn how you can make a difference when using plastic.

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Extreme weather, heat waves, droughts. Climate change has continued to affect our environment and our lives. And what are we doing about it? Fortunately, there are companies like LanzaTech who dedicated 17 years and $500 million to innovating the use of waste carbon in sustainable fuels, fabrics, packaging, and other products that we use every day. In this episode, we are joined by their CEO, Jennifer Holmgren, to talk about their breakthrough in carbon capture and transformation. And how finding the right partners like Zara, Denote, and other industry-leading companies can shine the light on carbon capture and take their shared vision for a healthier environment into reality. Tune in and learn more about how this diverse team came together to help save our planet.  

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Ep 167 Show Notes - Carbon Capture and Sustainability with Kevin Norfleet of Celanese

Get an insider's view of sustainability in the chemical industry with Kevin Norfleet, Global Sustainability Director at Celanese, as he joins Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show®. Kevin shares his journey from chemical engineering to spearheading sustainability efforts at Celanese, including the company's innovative initiatives like the large-scale carbon capture and utilization project for methanol production in Texas. 

Victoria and Kevin delve into the evolving demands for sustainable products, discussing which market segments are leading the charge and how companies can offer competitive and impactful eco-friendly solutions. Additionally, Kevin touches on the importance of sustainability in talent recruitment and career development within the chemical industry, offering valuable advice for aspiring professionals. 

This episode was recorded at the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference. 

Don’t miss the following topics this week:

• Methanol as a scalable building block for sustainability
• Investing in Carbon Capture & Utilization (CCU) to reduce carbon footprint
• Viewing sustainability through a customer's lens
• Sustainability as an employee value proposition
• The importance of agility in career success

Killer Quote: "We see sustainability as really an exciting opportunity for our business... looking at sustainability both as the right thing to do, but also something that's good business." - Kevin Norfleet

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According to Forbes, the inflation reading from January 2021 to January 2022 was a whopping 7.5%. Let’s face it, we are certainly facing inflation, and nobody is exempt, including the chemical industry. So what can chemical companies do to handle inflation and still manage to succeed? Today, Victoria Meyer shares five strategies for how chemical companies should manage and lead through these current economic times.

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Recently we have seen senior-level leaders transitioning, which opened new opportunities for internal succession or external job requisition. And with the significant changes in work setups and company culture, The Ropella Group, with its Chairman & CEO, Patrick Ropella, took to a new category with a different set of requirements when profiling candidates, specifically for C-Suite positions in the chemical, consumer products, and technology industries. In this episode, Patrick tells us what Backable CEO means, how it brings value to a company, and what experience or expertise one needs to qualify. He also shares insights on how the chemical industry is doing in executive recruiting or hiring demands after the great recession, how social media platforms have changed the game for job seekers, and how they provided an avenue for the companies to source candidates. So, if you have positions to fill in your company or someone is looking for an available spot, tune in and get tips on what makes a good candidate and how you can stock up on employment history the right way to become the best fit.

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Chemistry pretty much affects our everyday lives even in its most trivial aspects. Therefore, chemical education is something all people must give some attention to, especially the youth. Victoria Meyer goes to the Chemical Educational Foundation to talk with the people behind it: Terry Hill (Barentz), Aileen Doyle (Univar Solutions), Calvin Emanuel (Ecolab), and Nicole Domingues. They dive into the importance of studying chemistry and how to make students more interested in it, mainly through the foundation's chemist competition.

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Finding top talent is getting harder, and the chemical industry is not immune to this phenomenon. Here to unpack and offer solutions to this problem is Ron Malachuk. Ron is a Partner in the Chicago office of JM Search and a core member of the firm’s Chemicals and Materials practice. With vast experience in executive search, he joins Victoria Meyer to share some wisdom on how companies should adapt to this supply-demand imbalance for top talents. More than just attracting and hiring top talent, Ron also touches on why companies should focus on retention and how to do that. Get valuable business advice to boost your business and learn how chemical companies can elevate themselves in the competitive market by listening in on their discussion.

This episode is sponsored by Net at Work.

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In this episode, Joshua Baca, Vice President of the American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division, shares how he got to where he is now, from working in politics to ending up with ACC. He believes that what he is doing now is fruitful, not just for him but for all of us in this society. He shares their advocacy strategies to help people better understand plastics’ advantages in key markets such as automotive, building and construction, packaging, and innovations that are helping address some of our world’s greatest sustainability challenges. They aim to have a hundred percent of plastic packaging to be recyclable by the year 2040. What are they doing, and how can they achieve this ultimate goal? Listen and find out!

This episode is sponsored by Net at Work.

 

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SOCMA, or the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates, plays an integral part as the connector in the chemical industry. They match-make business partnerships so that projects can get up and running in the industry. SOCMA empowers its members with the latest industry knowledge and projects. Join Victoria Meyer and her guest Jennifer Abril, the CEO and President of SOCMA, as they talk about the company and its role in the industry. Discover the pillars of their strategic plan. Find out what it takes to be a member and what you can get as a member. Learn how they support the specialty and contract chemical manufacturing sector. Know what the relationship between government and industry associations is post-COVID. And find out how Jennifer handles leadership as a woman in such a male-dominated industry. Be a part of SOCMA today!

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You can't have commercial excellence without digitization. Technology is so present these days that you need to be up-to-date with everything. You need to fight for your customers, especially with all the supply chain disruptions and how competitive the landscape is today.

 

Join Victoria Meyer as she talks to Martijn van Noordennen about commercial excellence and digitization in the chemical industry. Martijn is the senior director of the industry go-to-market for Salesforce. He also has a long history in the chemical industry with Shell Chemicals.

 

Discover Martijn's career and his love for all things technology. Learn how he got into the chemical industry and how Salesforce is more than just a CRM. Find out how you can improve customer experience with good commercial excellence today.

 

This episode is sponsored by Net at Work

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How does the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers advocate for the chemical industry? Victoria Meyer talks with Rob Benedict, the Senior Director of Petrochemicals, Transportation, and Infrastructure for American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM). Rob shares the key initiatives and focus for AFPM. Rob discusses its position on creating greater competition in railroads and transportation, to be more competitive and effective for the chemical industry, including its recent engagement with the Surface Transportation Board. The role of AFPM in supporting industry sustainability, including advanced recycling. And, its engagement with other industry groups to provide an effective platform and advocacy for the chemical industry. If you want to learn what’s next, join in the conversation.

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Right now in the chemical industry, it's innovate or die. Innovation in sustainability is one way big companies can help the environment. These days, people are driven by consumerism which results in more resources being used. Companies need to provide a solution where less is used and innovation plays a key factor there. Whether it's innovation in technology or in marketing, the chemical industry needs to have that goal. Join Victoria Meyer as she talks about sustainability innovation to the CEO of P2 Science, Inc., Neil Burns, the CEO of VOID Technologies, James Gibson, and the Chief Sustainability Officer at Epsilyte, Jon Timbers. Learn what each of their businesses does, from making green cosmetics to plastic reduction. Discover how they leverage technology to help innovate the industry. Find out how they are contributing to a more sustainable and greener environment today.

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The chemical market is complicated to navigate with the need to aggregate information and the difficulty of acquiring "real-time" updates. Today's guest is here to provide the insight you're looking for. Steve Lewandowski is the Vice President - Olefins at IHS Markit, a leading global provider of information, insight, and consulting services to the global chemical, petrochemical, and refining industries. He joins Victoria Meyer to discuss the trends in the chemical industry and the different factors at play in these changes. They touch on energy transitions, geopolitical tensions, market prices, COVID shutdowns, and the interweaving impacts on each other. Don't miss out on this information-packed episode for the latest on what's happening in the world of chemicals.

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Ep 166 Show Notes 

Explore the pivotal role data and AI are playing in transforming safety and sustainability at DuPont with Daryl Roberts, Chief Engineering and Operations Officer. At ACC's Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference, Daryl shares his journey in the chemical industry, fueled by a family heritage of engineering, and his career progression through various roles in notable companies like Eastman Kodak, Arkema, and DuPont.

Daryl highlights DuPont's unwavering commitment to Responsible Care and sustainability, detailing innovative approaches ranging from electric vehicle components to water filtration systems. The discussion delves into how DuPont leverages data and AI for predictive maintenance and operational safety, ultimately aiming to foster a sustainable and safe work environment. Aspiring leaders can glean invaluable advice on taking risks and the importance of continuous learning in advancing their careers.

This episode was recorded at the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference. 

Be sure to explore the following topics this week:

• Career in chemicals... a family legacy
• Harnessing Responsible Care as a measure of trust and community value
• DuPont's 3 Pillars of Sustainability
• Developing Products that Drive Safe Living
• How Data and AI drive sustainability and operations
• Key Skills in the Future Workforce
• Lifelong learning to drive career success

Killer Quote: "We value not only our employees and contractor safety, but we value their safety and the safety in the environment in which we share with them. And it is something we have to earn, and it's something we have to work at every day." - Daryl Roberts

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Starting from scratching and making successful business acquisitions is chaUDAllenging. Victoria Meyer welcomes back ​​John Foley, the CEO of Verdant Specialty Solutions, to give a one-year update. John shares how vital it is to have your back-office team for you to stand on your own. And the challenges that relying on an outsourced back-office brings. Recruiting the right leaders who have previous experience in steering your business to where you want it to go is key. After all, you will need skillful people who trust each other to build a sustainable culture. Tune in!

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Sustainability isn't just a buzzword: It's an important component of saving our planet. The chemical industry has made great strides towards this goal, and more is yet to come. In this episode, Victoria Meyer flies solo as she breaks down three approaches the industry is taking to tackle sustainability. Victoria looks at these three critical components: Collaboration, Education, and Design, and she analyzes how they fit into the scheme of things. Tune in to learn more about the chemical industry's drive for sustainability. 

This episode is sponsored by AVEVA.

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Sustainability isn't just a buzzword: it's an integral part of modern business. Even the chemical industry has gotten into the act, tackling sustainability in many different ways. In this episode, Victoria Meyer teams up with Jon Timbers, Chief Sustainability Officer at Epsilyte to tackle the question of sustainable technology in the chemical industry. Jon discusses what drives his passion for sustainable solutions, and gives us a peek at current efforts in the space. Brimming with insights, this is an episode for the environment-minded chemical geek!

 

This episode is sponsored by AVEVA.

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There is a big plastic waste challenge right now in the US. It's much cheaper to just dump plastics or products in a landfill these days. There is not much value right now on plastic sustainability for a circular economy. This is where the US Plastics Pact comes in. They are trying to eliminate these issues by 2025. Join Victoria Meyer as she talks to the Executive Director of the US Plastics Pact, Emily Tipaldo about their goal regarding plastics. Learn how they are focusing on reusability, recyclability, and compostability of plastics. Emily is streamlining things that are in her control so that she can accomplish her mission by 2025. Thank you to our sponsor - Aveva: https://bit.ly/3uNpmFJ

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This is a historic episode as The Chemical Show celebrates its first anniversary. Join your host Victoria Meyer as she shares the plans and steps for the show in the near future, which could drive more engagement for listeners. She also discusses the different things the show had to go through from where it started last year, during the pandemic. It is without a doubt a failure without the listeners and subscribers. Tune in to hear the valuable lessons she gained throughout the year.

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How is the chemical industry becoming sustainable with its products and processes? Victoria Meyer welcomes Cameron Whaley, the President of Southern Chemical & Textiles, and Michael Suver, the Executive Vice President at Integrity Bio-Chem. Cameron and Michael share their collaboration on biosurfactants. They developed two sets: Tiger Surf and Eden Surf. They use all bio-based surfactants to go into all of the energy fluids. Synthetic surfactants are out of the equation. And they make sure that the molecules are non-detrimental to the current food supply. Tune in for more exciting news on sustainability!

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Net-zero is all about reducing water and energy consumption to improve the environment, save money, and help businesses be more resilient. Ecolab is addressing customer challenges that want to achieve net-zero. For them, it starts with water so if they can optimize water, they can help optimize their energy. Join Victoria Meyer as she talks to Calvin Emanuel about Ecolab and their net-zero solution. Calvin is the Vice President and General Manager, Net-Zero Solutions, at Ecolab. Learn how they focus on customer experience first. Discover their focus on water, energy, and sustainability.

 

Thank you to our sponsor - Palmer Holland. 

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The pandemic has taught us a lot of things we thought weren't important before. The whole chemical industry gradually learned to be more flexible, make big choices, and adapt to changes. Join your host Victoria Meyer as she sits down for a conversation with one of her initial guests when this podcast was launched. Today, Melissa Hockstad comes back to share her learnings in adapting to sudden changes, focusing on what matters, and making an impact in the world. She is the President & and CEO of the American Cleaning Institute. In this episode, she shares their goals, plans, and other activities to create a clean and vibrant future for everyone.

 

Thank you to our sponsor - Palmer Holland. 

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Climb your ladder to growth and success by equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills to get there. When she was in college, April Yeager tried a co-op program, was eventually offered a position in a product development lab, and never would have guessed that she would be retiring 30 years later with the same company. She climbed up the corporate ladder through different opportunities that enabled her to gain a deeper understanding of business and personal growth. Now she is the Senior Vice President of Essential Ingredients. In this episode, she sits down for a conversation with Victoria Meyer to share her knowledge on the industry, including the critical things you should focus on. Listen and find your inspiration to grow with your business!

 

Thank you to our sponsor - Palmer Holland. 

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Locus Performance Ingredients produces high-quality biosurfactants. Learn how they combine innovation and collaboration to lead the way. Victoria Meyer interviews CEO Tim Staub about the company and his vision. Tim shares his insights on the need to innovate and why collaboration is for winners in the chemical industry. Tune in for a great look at the industry on how to focus on teamwork and how a customer-oriented approach leads to great results.

This episode is sponsored by Palmer Holland.

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Ep 165 Show Notes - Achieving Success in Chemicals: Sustainability and Leadership with Bonnie Tully of Evonik

Bonnie Tully, North American President of Evonik, joins host Victoria Meyer to tackle Responsible Care®, the ambitious strides in sustainability, and the transformative shifts in industry culture. Bonnie shares compelling insights and actionable strategies this week on The Chemical Show. 

This episode is a masterclass in leadership, sustainability, and making big impacts through small steps, all while navigating the ever-evolving demands of the chemical industry. Don't miss Bonnie's take on fostering an innovative culture and her empowering advice for the next generation of industry leaders!

This episode was recorded at the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference. 

Victoria and Bonnie discuss the following:

• Responsible Care principles at Evonik
• Evonik's sustainability pillars: next-generation solutions, technology, and culture.
• Customer demand for sustainable solutions
• Cultural shift towards sustainability within Evonik and employee engagement.
• Women in leadership roles & Bonnie's career advice

Killer Quote: "It's really the employees seeing sustainable opportunities and bringing them forward... and then management saying, hey, we see a business case here and pushing the organization to work towards sustainability." - Bonnie Tulley

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• We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t
  
  

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How do you manage crisis communications in your business? Victoria Meyer presents Gerard Braud, the founder and CEO of SituationHub. Gerard explains that the goal in crisis communications is to gather information fast, confirm that information, and turn that information into a statement to your stakeholders. It’s best to prioritize reporting to your employees. Why? Because if you don’t, they may spread rumors and damage the company’s reputation. Proactively answer questions before they are asked. If you want to find out more strategies for managing crisis communications, tune in!

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Great customer experience is one of the building blocks for success. If you plan for the long term, having a solid customer experience system is a must. Victoria Meyer dives into the subject with the founder of Watermark Consulting, Jon Picoult. Jon looks at the mechanics of customer loyalty and why what you do for them matters. We take an in-depth view of the importance of the customer experience and what you can do to enhance it. Learn more about the ins and outs of business and building a relationship with your customers, and find success.

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Chemical Trading is one of the less typical careers one goes into. Not everyone has the superficial idea or the intensive knack for navigating through the complicated chemical sourcing and distribution system. However, experienced entrepreneur, Austin Britts, has been in the business for years, establishing several successful start-ups spanning from CPG brands to technology companies. Austin continues to thrive in the field by offering access to more opportunities and creating growth potential for every member of the chemical distribution industry. Listen in as BluePallet co-founder and current VP of Sales Operations, Austin, joins Victoria Meyer to provide a solution to make sourcing raw materials a lot simpler - from search to logistics and everything in-between.

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