The View from Jamestown” Chemical Podcast
Hosted by The Chemical Company
Episode 132 | Q4 2025 Update with Kathy Hall
Join host Ben Sawicki for our quarterly update with Kathy Hall. Ben & Kathy review recent tariff news, OPEC headlines, and demand indicators for Q1, 2026 and beyond. Benzene, Styrene, Ethylene, Propylene and more are in-focus as Ben & Kathy review trends for the end of the year, and what to watch heading into 2026.
Stream all of this and more on Episode 132!
Kathy Hall: Executive Director Product Management, Global Petrochemicals
Petrochem Wire
khall@opisnet.com
Host: Ben Sawicki
www.thechemco.com
Produced by:
Kettlebottom Creative
kettlebottomcreative.com/
Summary:
Host Ben Sawicki catches up with Kathy Hall for a grounded conversation on where the chemical industry stands heading into Q4.
They cover the essentials — price trends for ethylene, propylene, and benzene, the continued ripple effects of tariffs and trade pressures, and why many in the industry are calling this period “living in the trough.”
From Europe’s feedstock challenges and automation push, to OPEC’s latest demand forecasts and the steady role of U.S. natural gas, the episode lays out what’s holding steady, what’s changing fast, and what could define 2026.
Kathy also shares perspective on the slowdown in renewable and sustainable projects, as companies shift focus back to core profitability.
Whether you’re in distribution, supply chain, or production, this is a clear-eyed look at the realities of the market and the opportunities ahead.
Disclaimer: The material contained on this Podcast is provided by The Chemical Company (TCC) solely for informational purposes. The information is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up-to-date. The information in the Podcast is intended solely as a general educational aid. TCC is providing this podcast as a public service, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of TCC policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by TCC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by TCC employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of TCC or any of its officials. All statements, comments and opinions presented are made in the context of robust dialog and freedom of expression”. TCC assumes no responsibility for any consequence relating directly or indirectly to any action or inaction you take based on the information in the Podcast. While TCC strives to keep the information in the Podcast accurate, complete, and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee, and will not be responsible for, any damage or loss related to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information. TCC assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the Podcast. The information contained on the Podcast is provided entirely on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness. TCC is not responsible for any changes to the information provided herein. TCC is not providing legal advice and does not assume liability for detrimental reliance on the information provided herein as conditions are subject to change. Please consult with your legal counsel regarding the applicable tariffs.
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with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
The View from Jamestown” Chemical Podcast
Hosted by The Chemical Company
Episode 132 | Q4 2025 Update with Kathy Hall
Join host Ben Sawicki for our quarterly update with Kathy Hall. Ben & Kathy review recent tariff news, OPEC headlines, and demand indicators for Q1, 2026 and beyond. Benzene, Styrene, Ethylene, Propylene and more are in-focus as Ben & Kathy review trends for the end of the year, and what to watch heading into 2026.
Stream all of this and more on Episode 132!
Kathy Hall: Executive Director Product Management, Global Petrochemicals
Petrochem Wire
khall@opisnet.com
Host: Ben Sawicki
www.thechemco.com
Produced by:
Kettlebottom Creative
kettlebottomcreative.com/
Summary:
Host Ben Sawicki catches up with Kathy Hall for a grounded conversation on where the chemical industry stands heading into Q4.
They cover the essentials — price trends for ethylene, propylene, and benzene, the continued ripple effects of tariffs and trade pressures, and why many in the industry are calling this period “living in the trough.”
From Europe’s feedstock challenges and automation push, to OPEC’s latest demand forecasts and the steady role of U.S. natural gas, the episode lays out what’s holding steady, what’s changing fast, and what could define 2026.
Kathy also shares perspective on the slowdown in renewable and sustainable projects, as companies shift focus back to core profitability.
Whether you’re in distribution, supply chain, or production, this is a clear-eyed look at the realities of the market and the opportunities ahead.
Disclaimer: The material contained on this Podcast is provided by The Chemical Company (TCC) solely for informational purposes. The information is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up-to-date. The information in the Podcast is intended solely as a general educational aid. TCC is providing this podcast as a public service, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of TCC policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by TCC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by TCC employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of TCC or any of its officials. All statements, comments and opinions presented are made in the context of robust dialog and freedom of expression”. TCC assumes no responsibility for any consequence relating directly or indirectly to any action or inaction you take based on the information in the Podcast. While TCC strives to keep the information in the Podcast accurate, complete, and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee, and will not be responsible for, any damage or loss related to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information. TCC assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the Podcast. The information contained on the Podcast is provided entirely on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness. TCC is not responsible for any changes to the information provided herein. TCC is not providing legal advice and does not assume liability for detrimental reliance on the information provided herein as conditions are subject to change. Please consult with your legal counsel regarding the applicable tariffs.
Episode 128: Summertime Business Update: Tariffs, Freight & Emergency Orders - July 2025
The View (by: The Chemical Company)
49 minutes 20 seconds
3 months ago
Episode 128: Summertime Business Update: Tariffs, Freight & Emergency Orders - July 2025
“The View from Jamestown” Chemical Podcast
Hosted by The Chemical Company
Episode 128| July 2025
Episode 128 of The View from Jamestown Podcast Edition is an update on summertime business, with a mix of vacation time and plant turnarounds as well as emergency orders and an uptick in business in some industries.
Featuring:
President Robb Roach
VP Sales & Marketing AJ Petrarca
Inside Sales Manager Nicole Iannuccillo
Customer Service Manager Jill Goldstein
Host: Marketing & Sales Manager Ben Sawicki
www.thechemco.com
Search for a TCC Product:
https://thechemco.com/chemical/
Subscribe to The View from Jamestown:
https://thechemco.com/subscribe/
For more information and our podcast disclaimer:
www.thechemco.com/podcast
Produced by:
Kettlebottom Creative
https://www.kettlebottomcreative.com
Summary generated with AI: This episode of "The View from Jamestown" podcast features TCC's July 2025 business update with a full team including customer service manager Jill Goldstein, inside sales manager Nicole Iannuccillo, AJ Petrarca (recently back from an Achilles injury), and company president Robb Roach. The discussion centers heavily on the ongoing challenges of navigating tariffs and trade policy uncertainty, with team members noting that constantly shifting deadlines and conflicting information make business planning extremely difficult. They observe that customers are increasingly operating on a "just-in-time" basis rather than building inventory, leading to more emergency orders as companies avoid holding excess stock due to unpredictable policy changes.
The team reports that while business has been slower during the typical summer period, they're seeing signs of potential pickup in August, particularly for agricultural products like dicyandiamide, BPT, and urea that are needed for spring planting seasons. Ocean freight and port operations are running smoothly with minimal delays once shipments reach US ports, though this is partly attributed to overall reduced demand. They discuss how Chinese suppliers have responded to tariffs by lowering their prices significantly, essentially absorbing much of the tariff impact while maintaining market share.
The conversation also touches on the company's commitment to in-person collaboration, with Robb Roach emphasizing their decision against remote work and their focus on hiring and training young talent. The team promotes their upcoming appearance at the Chemicals America show in Savannah, highlighting their "people, not portals" philosophy that emphasizes personal relationships over automated systems. TLC's Joe Hassenfratz provides a logistics update, noting challenges in the LTL sector and recommending rail transport for longer hauls as a cost-effective solution, while emphasizing the importance of forecasting to help carriers plan capacity and pricing.
The View (by: The Chemical Company)
The View from Jamestown” Chemical Podcast
Hosted by The Chemical Company
Episode 132 | Q4 2025 Update with Kathy Hall
Join host Ben Sawicki for our quarterly update with Kathy Hall. Ben & Kathy review recent tariff news, OPEC headlines, and demand indicators for Q1, 2026 and beyond. Benzene, Styrene, Ethylene, Propylene and more are in-focus as Ben & Kathy review trends for the end of the year, and what to watch heading into 2026.
Stream all of this and more on Episode 132!
Kathy Hall: Executive Director Product Management, Global Petrochemicals
Petrochem Wire
khall@opisnet.com
Host: Ben Sawicki
www.thechemco.com
Produced by:
Kettlebottom Creative
kettlebottomcreative.com/
Summary:
Host Ben Sawicki catches up with Kathy Hall for a grounded conversation on where the chemical industry stands heading into Q4.
They cover the essentials — price trends for ethylene, propylene, and benzene, the continued ripple effects of tariffs and trade pressures, and why many in the industry are calling this period “living in the trough.”
From Europe’s feedstock challenges and automation push, to OPEC’s latest demand forecasts and the steady role of U.S. natural gas, the episode lays out what’s holding steady, what’s changing fast, and what could define 2026.
Kathy also shares perspective on the slowdown in renewable and sustainable projects, as companies shift focus back to core profitability.
Whether you’re in distribution, supply chain, or production, this is a clear-eyed look at the realities of the market and the opportunities ahead.
Disclaimer: The material contained on this Podcast is provided by The Chemical Company (TCC) solely for informational purposes. The information is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up-to-date. The information in the Podcast is intended solely as a general educational aid. TCC is providing this podcast as a public service, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of TCC policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by TCC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by TCC employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of TCC or any of its officials. All statements, comments and opinions presented are made in the context of robust dialog and freedom of expression”. TCC assumes no responsibility for any consequence relating directly or indirectly to any action or inaction you take based on the information in the Podcast. While TCC strives to keep the information in the Podcast accurate, complete, and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee, and will not be responsible for, any damage or loss related to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information. TCC assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the Podcast. The information contained on the Podcast is provided entirely on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness. TCC is not responsible for any changes to the information provided herein. TCC is not providing legal advice and does not assume liability for detrimental reliance on the information provided herein as conditions are subject to change. Please consult with your legal counsel regarding the applicable tariffs.
