Agenda

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This course will examine the commercial impact of olefins and polyolefins technologies on cost competitiveness, market dynamics and trade. It is especially important for industry newcomers is that our instructors will clarify the technical jargon commonly used in the petrochemical industry.

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The plastics industry will face headwinds in 2019. Weaker global economic conditions forecast, continued trade tensions between the US and China affecting plastics global trade, uncertainty with Brexit’s outcome, and rising concerns around single-use plastics and sustainability will impact the demand and supply dynamics of the plastics industry’s value chain. These issues will be discussed as Perc Pineda, PhD – PLASTICS Chief Economist, delivers an update of the plastics industry and shares his insights.

Polypropylene continues to be one of the most favored plastics in the world. After seeing a cyclical peak in prices and margins in recent years, improved supplies are moving the market to a more balanced position. Prices moving forward are expected to allow PP to continue to compete in key applications versus other materials like high density polyethylene and polystyrene. This presentation will evaluate the current supply and demand forecast and touch on key topics for strategic regions around the world. Future profitability for PP investments and PP’s competitiveness versus alternative materials will be discussed.

The shale revolution in the United States has changed the energy landscape, both at home and globally. Not only has expanded oil and gas development strengthened our energy security, it is also opening new international markets for U.S. energy resources -- especially American natural gas. The shale revolution is also providing new economic opportunities in regions such as Appalachia, where natural gas development has created great potential to build out a petrochemical industry. The Department of Energy is working to support expanded markets for our resources, promote the economic opportunities made available by the shale revolution, and develop the technologies to increase the development of our oil and gas resources.

Ron Vance will discuss the status of US EPA’s current Sustainable Materials Management activities. EPA is implementing the “Sustainable Materials Management Program Strategic Plan: 2017 – 2022.” The Vision of the Plan is to “Protect human health and the environment by advancing the sustainable use of materials throughout their lifecycle to minimize waste and environmental impacts.” Ron will discuss the EPA’s evolving data systems, including the Facts and Figures Report, and how they fit into the big picture. In addition, Ron will provide an update on stakeholder work to date to strengthen the US recycling system.

As the mandate for renewable and recycled plastics increased over the past years, SABIC began exploring opportunities for vertical integration, evaluating how we might add renewable feedstocks and materials to our traditional virgin material supply chain. The presentation will provide an overview of what we've learned, and how the circular economy is changing both our upstream and our downstream relationships. Case studies demonstrating our approach to using post-consumer materials and mixed plastic waste as raw materials for our polymer operations will be discussed.

A conversation regarding what it’s like being a millennial in the industry, what are some of the obstacles and challenges millennials face both within the industry but also outside, and, a view as to what millennials are looking for in companies they work for.

Join us for a special Women in Plastics luncheon at Bouchée Patisserie located inside the Post Oak Hotel. Network and support women in the industry while discussing the latest issues impacting women.