The 9th ICIS World Polyolefins Conference was a resounding success, bringing together a host of knowledgeable experts to discuss key topics that are impacting the industry.

On the first day, attendees were treated to a wide range of discussions, including the economy and its impact on PE and PP demand, trends buffeting European PE and PP, chemical recycling, and the automotive industry's shift to electric vehicles.

The second day of the conference continued the trend, with hot-off-the-press updates about the first trucks from Grupa Azoty's new PP plant in Poland, a debate about decarbonising polyolefins, and a peek into developments in sorting, such as using UV light and AI to determine the grade of bottles. The conference also tackled supply chains, new Chinese capacity, traceability, and innovative technology for polyolefin recycling.

Overall, the conference struck a more optimistic tone than many attendees may have expected, given the current legislative complexity, oversupply, and weak demand that the industry is facing. This hopeful end to the conference was due in part to the many insightful speakers who shared their expertise and the attendees who asked thoughtful questions. If you're in the industry and looking to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments, then you won't want to miss next year's event.

Don't miss out on the 10th ICIS World Polyolefins Conference, scheduled for next year. This conference is the perfect opportunity to gain valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in the industry, to learn from industry experts, and to connect with other professionals. Mark your calendars for next year's event and start making plans to attend today!

Senior Editor for European PE & PP, Vicky Ellis is joined by speakers John Richardson, Senior Consultant Asia) and Egor Dementev, Senior Analyst for Plastics Recycling to pull out the key takeaways.