Chief Economist Martha Moore of the American Chemistry Council joins Victoria Meyer to unpack the latest economic realities and policy challenges shaping the chemical industry. Martha shares insight from ACC’s member surveys, discusses key drivers behind current market trends, and covers what’s keeping executives awake at night—from rising raw material costs to global trade uncertainty.

This episode also covers the strategic importance of US manufacturing, the impact of legislation like TSCA, and how the industry is positioning for growth and innovation amid a shifting global landscape. Martha offers data-driven perspectives relevant to leaders needing to navigate volatility, build resilience, and influence both policy and boardrooms.

Victoria and Martha discuss the following:

• Martha’s path from a STEM-focused upbringing to Chief Economist at ACC.
• The three pillars driving chemical demand: consumer spending, business investment, and exports.
• The sharp rise in raw materials and logistics costs for chemical manufacturers.
• What ACC’s members and sentiment surveys reveal about today’s top business challenges.
• The effect of international trade policy, tariffs, and China’s rising influence on the industry.
• Why innovation and reshoring US manufacturing are vital for future growth.
• Leadership lessons for executives: focus on agility, long-term strategy, and building resilience.

Other Links:

The Chemical Summit

This episode of The Chemical Show features Farid Tahvildari, Managing Director of NUCO Logistics. Returning to the podcast, Farid provides a straightforward analysis of the ongoing Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea crises and their far-reaching impacts on global shipping, freight costs, and chemical supply chains. He explains how even those not directly trading through these regions are affected by disruptions in marine traffic, rising insurance costs, and energy price volatility.

Victoria and Farid examine how the industry has adapted to persistent instability, from the emergence of new shipping routes around Africa due to Suez Canal constraints to the critical importance of redundancy in logistics planning. Farid provides practical advice for shippers, highlighting that planning, communication, and strong provider relationships are now the cornerstones of resilient supply chains.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Why it matters for global shipping, chemicals, and energy—even for companies outside the Gulf region
• Red Sea Disruptions: The Houthis’ impact on marine logistics, workarounds, and why confidence in shipping lanes is as vital as their physical openness
• Adaptation in Action: How chemical and logistics companies have shifted to new routes, added shipping capacity, and developed operational flexibility
• Inventory Management: Avoiding the pitfalls of single-lane dependence and leveraging lessons learned from the COVID container crisis
• Small & Midsize Company Strategies: How those with less leverage can increase resilience
• Early Warning Signs: Key indicators—including port omissions, insurance premiums, and carrier announcements—that signal rising risk
• Long-Term Outlook: Why the industry is preparing for ongoing uncertainty and building a new normal rooted in flexibility

Other Links:

• Strait of Hormuz Crisis: How Oil and Chemicals Are Affected Worldwide with Farid Tahvildari (Episode 257)
• Red Sea Shipping Issues and Resolutions with Farid Tahvildari of NUCO Logistics (Episode 152)

Facing increasing demands, complex organizational shifts, and economic uncertainty, many leaders in the chemical industry are under more pressure than ever. In this episode of The Chemical Show, Victoria Meyer explores emerging patterns in executive and senior leadership she's noticed from her conversations with industry leaders, coaching, and real-world experience.

Victoria explains the three key patterns she’s seeing in organizations today and shares a “leadership operating reset” framework with three practical pillars to relieve stress and refocus on what matters. You’ll hear how to shift from doing it all to enabling others, set clear boundaries, empower up-and-coming leaders, and reclaim time for strategic priorities—both for yourself and for your team.

Join us this week to learn about:

• New Organizational Realities: Why simplification often just means increased workload for proven leaders
• Leadership Bottlenecks: The risk of becoming the go-to resolver and how it stifles organizational development
• Dealing with Pressure: Balancing stakeholder demands at work and at home, and the importance of clear boundaries
• Activity vs. Value: Recognizing when too much busyness is displacing your crucial leadership work
• Leadership Operating Reset: Three pillars for relief—control the flow of demands, clarify decision processes, and align operating rhythms
• Delegation and Decision Rights: How enabling others to act boosts effectiveness and relieves pressure

Other links:

• Talent Shifts Reshaping the Chemical Industry with Geoff Smith of Mercer (Ep. 274)
• The Chemical Summit
• 40 Under 40 in Chemicals