The 2012 PCI Americas Polyester Industry Conference
Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental, Houston, Texas
29 Feb - 1 Mar
2012
PCI's leading polyester & raw materials conference for the Americas
PCI will be holding its 14th annual Americas Polyester Industry Conference on 29 February-1 March 2012 at the Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental, Houston, Texas.
The global and North American polyester and intermediates markets are enjoying their second consecutive strong year following the "Great Recession." Yet, there are many foreboding economic signs emerging which could derail the industry as economic concerns plague the world markets. The US economic recovery has stalled and the probability of a double-dip recession has increased. The Eurozone is mired in a sovereign debt crisis which is severely constraining economic growth on the Continent. Even the robust Chinese economy is at risk due to increasingly restrictive policies by the Chinese government.
The 2012 conference will focus on the latest developments specific to the polyester and intermediates markets and whether recent favorable trends will continue despite increasing economic headwinds. The conference will start on Wednesday, February 29 with cocktails, dinner and 2 presentations. An all day session will follow on Thursday, March 1.
Against a background of an ever-changing market, we hope that the conference will provide delegates with a valuable forum to discuss the latest analysis with PCI’s seasoned consulting team as well as guest speakers and provide an opportunity to understand wider polyester industry issues with colleagues from across the Americas.
Presentations will include:
US Economic Recovery: No one said it would be easy?
Review of recent economic data: The good, the bad and the ugly
Are the North American polyester markets following the general economic trends?
The short-term outlook for the North American economy and the polyester markets
Michael Bermish / PCI Xylenes & Polyesters
Perspectives on petroleum markets and potential impacts on chemicals
World oil outlook
Resolving the brent-WTI differential
End of USEC refining?
Gas shale - opportunity versus access
Potential impacts on chemicals
Skip York / Wood Mackenzie
Paraxylene: The implications of a tight market
Just how scarce will Asian paraxylene be in 2012?
What are the implications for the regional markets?
Can US paraxylene assets compete in the export markets?
Impact on the Atlantic Basin paraxylene trade flows from new PTA capacity in Europe & Brazil
Metaxylene – the potential for scarcity
Gordon Haire / PCI Xylenes & Polyesters
Global PTA over-capacity: How will the regions react?
Asian paraxylene tightness: how will Asian PTA producers react in 2012/13 and the implications for North America?
The impact of a growing South American polyester industry on other regions
PTA trade: the key to operating rates in 2012/13
PTA over capacity defensive strategies integration, IPA conversion
Phil Marshall / PCI Xylenes & Polyesters
MEG: Squeezing the supply chain
No new capacity for 2012 will require near perfect production around the world
More dependence on China for near term supply, high uncertainty!
What does a wave of new capacity in North America mean in for mid decade?
The US EO market shifting to MEG alternative value
Doug Rightler / PCI Xylenes & Polyesters
Polyester Fibers: Global Outlook
Following 2 years of post recession recovery, will the next 2 years see weakening growth?
The Cotton Factor – with prices down 60% what does this do for polyester demand?
North America – does polyester demand in carpet filament offset losses in other polyester constructions?
Alasdair Carmichael / PCI Fibres
Expanding global capacity and diminishing inter-regional trade
The Imbalances of Growth in Demand and Supply
The Prospects for the Americas Region
Declining Opportunities for International Trade
Trends in PET Pricing
PET Recycling and Sustainable Development
David Swift / PCI PET Packaging Resin & Recycling
China: Economic powerhouse or mirage?
An overview of the economic challenges and possible solutions in China
How does this fit into the global picture?
The possible impact going forward on the polyester industry of China’s decisions
Daniël de Blocq van Scheltinga / Polarwide Ltd
Technological change in cotton production
Recent cotton pricing trends
Reasons why prices dropped
Why cotton prices still remain well above the ten-year average
What is the three-year outlook for supply/demand and prices?
Terry Townsend / International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)
100% Biobased PET: A sustainable approach to fiber, film and bottles
Bio-based paraxylene provides an alternative feedstock for the PET supply chain
Virent has demonstrated the production of 100% bio-based para-xylene – BioFormPX - which fills in the “missing piece” to make a 100% bio-based PET bottle
Virent’s BioForming technology has been demonstrated not only on conventional sugar and starch feedstocks but also on cellulosic biomass feedstocks such as pine trees, corn stover and sugar cane bagasse
Greg Keenan / Virent
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Date
Wednesday February 29 - Thursday March 1, 2012
Venue
Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental, Houston, Texas
Registration Fee
US$1,350 which includes conference admission on February 29 and March 1 2012, conference documentation, electronic copy of presentations available as downloads from PCI Online, drinks reception and dinner on February 29, buffet breakfast, refreshments and lunch on March 1.
How to Register
Clients: Register Here
Non Clients: Please contact Burlett Hutchins at
E-mail: bhutchins@thepcigroup.com
Fax: +44 1483 302267
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be made in writing before 1 February 2012 and will be subject to a 20% administration fee. Cancellations after 1 February 2012 cannot be refunded but substitutions can be made at any time free-of-charge.
Note: The organisers reserve the right to change the venue or programme at any time.