1、REACTIONChemicals&Materials MagazineThirty-eighth editionKPMG I include:The chemistry of the energy transitionChemical combinationsChemicals enter a new era of green investmentForewordA highlight of the year for me has been attending one of the premier events in the chemicals calendar the World Petr

2、ochemical Conference in March in Houston,Texas.With some 1,500 delegates from chemicals businesses worldwide,it was an excellent opportunity to gauge the mood in the industry and reflect on some of the key themes and issues occupying executive minds.In particular,I was privileged to participate in a

3、 session with around 30 CEOs of prominent industry players,in which three discussion areas stood out.The first of these was industry expectations for 2023.It is clear that the year will be a challenging one.Most of the sector came into 2023 knowing and expecting that Q1 would be difficult,but there

4、was a hope that by the second half,conditions would have picked up,and we might see something of a return to growth.However,with continuing uncertainty around the economic outlook and with inflation and interest rates still high at the end of April in many major economies,I think there is an acknowl

5、edgment now that 2023 will be a year to ride out as best as possible with recovery more likely for 2024.Businesses that come out with flat or stable performance will have done well,all things considered.The only caveat to add is that with China now having scrapped its zero-COVID policy,were likely t

6、o see renewed economic growth and activity there,which could filter through into some of the chemicals sectors,providing a late boost for some.The second area of the CEO discussion was the energy transition and sustainability agenda.This has become an essential item in the Boardroom as the industry