Chemical Supply Recovery and Market Outlook Post-Middle East Shock
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EDT
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz in early March triggered one of the most significant petrochemical market disruptions in recent history. A market already burdened by oversupply, weak demand, and compressed margins shifted abruptly to feedstock shortages, sharp price increases, and demand destruction. Disruptions across crude oil, chemical feedstocks, base chemicals, and plastics reshaped trade flows, regional cost competitiveness, inventories, pricing, and operating rates.
The 60-day US-Iran ceasefire agreement, after persistent ceasefire violations by both sides, has expired without a broader political settlement, and commercial transit through the Strait remains severely constrained. Although peak concerns over oil availability have eased, the recovery in petrochemical markets remains fragile and uneven. Persistent security risks, elevated freight costs, inventory rebuilding, disrupted trade routes, and uncertain demand recovery continue to cloud the outlook through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.
Join S&P Global Energy chemical market experts for a focused assessment of how the unresolved conflict is reshaping the short-term outlook for petrochemical feedstocks, olefins, aromatics, polymers, and other key derivatives. The discussion will examine regional supply-demand shifts, pricing and margin pressures, trade and freight constraints, and the likely pace of market normalization, followed by a live Q&A.
What You’ll Learn:
- How the ongoing US-Iran conflict and restricted Strait of Hormuz access are reshaping crude oil, petrochemical feedstock supply, and market volatility through 2027.
- Recovery timelines for key petrochemical markets and what recovery may look like amid oversupply, weak demand, and margin pressure.
- How regional dynamics are shifting across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including the growing roles of US ethane and China's diversified feedstock mix.
- Whether polyolefin markets will see further price relief or renewed support from freight costs, inventory rebuilding, and supply chain disruptions.
- Why Northeast Asian PVC oversupply continues to pressure South Asian markets and support the shift toward acetylene-based production.
- What's driving benzene markets and why styrene margins remain under pressure despite softer crude sentiment.
Featured Speakers:
- Katie Elliot, Head of Global Aromatics
- Walt Hart, Head of Global Olefins
- Harry Thomas, Head of Global Chlor-Alkali, Vinyls
- Jesse Tijerina, Head of Global Polymers
Register by September 18 at 1:00 PM EDT. Can't attend live? Register anyway and receive access to the on-demand recording.