Session Details
Session 1: Global Outlook – Economy, Energy & Geopolitics
The turmoil caused by the various geopolitical events in addition to growing supplies of hydrocarbon-based energy have forced nations to reassess how — and how long — the evolution from fossil fuels to renewables will play out. Further adding to this uncertainty is the stalling of EV adoption and a reduced collaboration on climate initiatives. Given these dynamics, there is growing confidence that traditional hydrocarbon-based fuels will still be a critical piece of the global energy mix. In essence, the world will still need oil, but the real questions are how much and can the transition accelerate in the current environment. Join us as we discuss the current and forward pace of change within the energy markets.
The global ethylene market is experiencing the greatest oversupply in its history, with no sign of additional supply slowing the industry is striving to alleviate the excess. The flood of volume has resulted in unprecedented damage to markets and for any hope of recovery in the next decade, a change of direction will be required. The form and scale of that change will be critical.
Ask your questions to the panel of session presenters to delve deeper into the subject matter.
Esin Çinar, Sustainability Director, Aygaz
Ramazan Aslan, Director, Life Climate
Moderator: Humberto J. Rocha, Associate Director of Climate and Carbon Markets, OPIS, a Dow Jones Company
Türkiye is a country of high importance regarding carbon market developments providing a targeted opportunity for CMA, McCloskey, and OPIS to offer carbon-related services to Turkish businesses. The Turkish government legislated the creation of a carbon market in 2025 that is slated to cover installations that emit more than 50,000 mt of carbon dioxide a year and Türkiye is a country that’s susceptible to CBAM, the EU’s carbon border tariff. As we enhance our carbon services and offerings (CBAM Calculator, EUA forecasting, policy coverage), Türkiye is a high priority market for us to break into at a time when businesses in the country are preparing for carbon regulation.
Session 2: Market Drivers
This presentation will examine the global and regional battery markets, specifically evaluating the outlook for EV battery demand, BESS and other end used segments. It will also provide an overview of battery and cathode technologies as well as the global and regional dynamics of new technologies entering the battery market. And finally there will also be an overview of the battery recycling market and its outlook.
The automotive sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation marked by heightened uncertainty and accelerating disruption. Competitive pressure from new entrants, evolving consumer sentiment, and geopolitical complexity are forcing rapid, high‑stakes decisions across the industry. This session explores critical issues shaping the decade ahead—including manufacturing location strategy, powertrain mix, tariffs, supply‑chain viability, and value creation—while providing a forward‑looking assessment of global vehicle markets, operational risks, and strategic opportunities.
This is an examination of the relationship between construction activity and demand for caustic soda and chlorine, with a focus on how shifts in global construction markets influence chemical consumption. It outlines the key end uses linking construction to chlor-alkali demand, including PVC, alumina, and water treatment, and assesses how regional differences in residential, commercial, and infrastructure investment shape demand patterns. The analysis combines a review of current construction trends with a forward-looking assessment of global market conditions, highlighting the implications for caustic and chlorine demand.
Ask your questions to the panel of session presenters to delve deeper into the subject matter.
Session 3: Regional Overviews
The shale gas discovery fueled a petrochemical renaissance in North America, however the current PVC market landscape has become quite complex. This presentation dives not only into the cost structure of the North American vinyls industry, but digs deeper into other strategic factors that should help producers navigate the trough of the cycle.
India is increasingly central to the global Chlor-Vinyl trajectory, acting as a critical counterbalance to traditional supply hubs. As the Chinese market navigates a period of structural realignment and domestic softening, India’s massive infrastructure roadmap creates a new global demand anchor. This transition—driven by India’s expanding capacity and potential strategic trade positioning—suggests a pivot toward an India-led market phase, redefining supply chain dynamics for the coming decade.
Latin America has emerged as a pivotal growth market for global caustic soda demand. However, the region’s reliance on external supply is deepening as a structural deficit intensifies, driven largely by recent domestic plant closures. While robust demand dynamics enhance the region’s market attractiveness, they are increasingly countered by geopolitical instability and the strategic risks of import dependency. This raises a question: can a favorable demand outlook sufficiently offset the volatility of an unstable geopolitical environment and a heavy reliance on foreign material?
Ask your questions to the panel of session presenters to delve deeper into the subject matter.
Session 4: Spotlight on Europe
Rationalization has become a reality as the European chlor-alkali industry continues to combat high production costs, squeezed margins, and lower demand. As the loss of competitiveness in global markets remains the most challenging to overcome, what can drive demand recovery, and when will it occur? How will trade flows change with the reduction of domestic capacity? This presentation will answer these questions while exploring other developments that will shape the European chlor-alkali market in the coming years.
The European vinyls industry has been subject to immense pressures since 2022, which has culminated in some capacity closures. What is the outlook; are there alternatives to more rationalization? Will the industry remain competitive? What are the implications going forward for supply, sourcing options and profitability? This presentation will dive into these and other key issues facing the industry with the latest critical insights, as the industry searches for a path towards a sustainable future.
Ask your questions to the panel of session presenters to delve deeper into the subject matter.
Ramazan Aslan
Founder & CEO Life Climate
Read BioDidi Bostock
Consultant Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
Read BioEsin Çınar
Sustainability Director Aygaz
Read BioAngel Fernandez
Director, Chlor-Alkali Research EMEA Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioEddie Kok
Executive Director, Global Vinyls Service Lead Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioNick Kovics
Vice President, Global Chemical Research Lead & Inorganic Chemicals Team Lead Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioGordon Kuo
Director, APAC Vinyls and India Chlor-Alkali Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioBeatriz Lima
Associate Director, South American Chlor-alkali Markets Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioJoe McCabe
President & CEO AutoForecast Solutions LLC (AFS)
Read BioCraig Murphy, PhD
Director, Global Bleaching Chemicals Service Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioBrian Newsome
Vice President, Global Chlor-alkali Advisory Service Lead Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioLuka Powell
Principal Analyst, Energy Insights Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioHumberto J. Rocha
Associate Director of Climate and Carbon Markets OPIS a Dow Jones Company
Read BioMatthew Thoelke
Vice President, EMEA Olefins Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioHenry Warren
Director, EMEA Vinyls and Middle East Caustic Soda Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read Bio