“The View from Jamestown” Chemical Podcast
Hosted by The Chemical Company
Episode 145 | August 2026
Episode 145 of The View from Jamestown is our August 2026 edition, and features a guest appearance from TCC’s own Cory Mullins. We give an update on the upcoming peak demand season for Methanol, including demand and pricing. In addition, we discuss the Rhine River, which has reached all-time low levels and is causing extreme shortages of supply across Europe.
Featuring:
VP Sales & Marketing AJ Petrarca
Sales & Marketing Manager Cory Mullins
Latin American Operations Manager Javier Fernandez
Host: Marketing & Sales Manager Ben Sawicki
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Produced by:
Kettlebottom Creative
Summary:
In Episode 145 of The View from Jamestown, Ben Sawicki is joined by Cory Mullins, Javier Fernandez, and AJ Petrarca for a wide-ranging discussion on the current methanol market and the factors shaping supply and demand heading into the second half of 2026.
The team explores why methanol demand typically strengthens in late summer and early fall, driven by seasonal energy needs and increased downstream consumption. They discuss current pricing trends, global production capacity, and how supply balances have shifted over the past several years, including the impact of methanol-to-olefins (MTO) demand in Asia and what it could mean for future market fundamentals.
The conversation also turns to one of Europe’s biggest logistical challenges: historically low water levels on the Rhine River. The group explains how reduced shipping capacity is affecting chemical transportation, increasing freight costs, and creating ripple effects throughout the global supply chain. They also discuss broader logistics considerations, regional market dynamics, and how distributors and manufacturers are adapting to ongoing transportation constraints.
