World Analysis – Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)

Martin Staley Executive Director, EMEA Acrylates / OXO Alcohols Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Martin Staley is the Executive Director for the Acrylic Acid and OXO Alcohol value chains at Chemical Market Analytics. Martin Staley joined Chemical Market Analytics in March 2022 and served as the Research and Analysis Director for the Acrylic Acid and OXO Alcohol value chains, which includes Acrylic Acid, the acrylate esters; Butyl acrylate, 2-EH Acrylate, Methyl Acrylate and Ethyl Acrylate and Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP). The closely related chemical, methyl methacrylate (MMA), is also under Martin’s purview, as well as the downstream OXO plasticizer derivatives. These chemicals are covered in the Market Advisory Service reports, published monthly, and the World Analysis reports, published annually. Martin has over 30 years of chemical industry experience, having recently served as the Regional Vice President for Third Coast International for 14 years. Third Coast is a leading chemical service provider with operations in the Houston area and historic joint ventures in Singapore and Qatar. The company is a leading automotive brake fluid producer, marketer of propylene glycol and a leading contract manufacturing company. Before Third Coast, Martin spent 17 years in a variety of roles with LyondellBasell with a focus on the Propylene Oxide and derivatives business, including  PO-based glycol ethers, glycols, 1,4-Butanediol and derivatives and C4 specialties. He also held the Chair of the Glycol Ether sector for the Oxygenated Solvent Producers Association (OSPA), an industry trade body under C.E.F.I.C., helping prepare the industry for the introduction of REACH. Martin started his chemical industry career in the United Kingdom with what is now Univar. Martin holds a BSc. Hons. Degree in Biology with subsidiary subjects of Biochemistry and Biotechnology from Portsmouth University.

Wei Lu Director, China Acrylics / Oxo-alcohols Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Wei Lu is the Research and Analyst Director in the Asia Light Olefins team at Chemical Market Analytics. Wei focused on the Acrylic acid/Acrylates and Oxo alcohols market in mainland China and provided professional market analysis to the global market. Wei has 13 years of work experience in the refining and petrochemical industry. He started his career as a chemical engineer and marketing representative of ethylene oxide and derivatives at BASF-YPC. Then, Wei moved to UOP and KBR as a technology licensing business sales in the past eight years. For three years, he covered hydrogen (PSA) and gas processing technologies in UOP. In KBR, he covered refining and olefin technologies, i.e., steam cracking technology, catalytic cracking technology, and waste plastic chemical recycling technology. Wei obtained bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering and technology from the Beijing University of Chemical Technology.

Julian Gunther Associate Director, Olefin Derivatives - Americas Acrylic Acid, Acrylates, SAP, MMA, Oxo Alcohols, Plasticizers Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Julian Gunther is an Associate Director on the Global Olefins team at Chemical Market Analytics's Houston, Texas, office. Mr. Gunther is responsible for the propylene derivatives market, including acrylic acid, acrylates, methyl methacrylate (MMA), super absorbent polymers (SAP), oxo alcohols, and the plasticizers market in the Americas. Mr. Gunther worked with ODS-Petrodata’s offshore rig team from 2006-2012. In addition to ODS, Mr. Gunther worked as an account manager at S&P Global and OptaSense. Mr. Gunther holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Houston in Houston, Texas.