Markets Reporter at ICIS covering the European acetone, phenol, ECH, BPA, epoxy resins and R-PET markets.
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Articles by Luke Milner
Taking a systematic approach to GDPR and international data protection compliance
27 May 2026 Case study Data Protection GDPR Share article Canfield Scientific needed to achieve a higher level of GDPR compliance, and chose IT Governance USA, now GRC Solutions Inc, to provide consultancy and training to help it meet its goals. The challenge Canfield is the global leader in imaging systems, services, and products for scientific research and healthcare applications, including the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, cosmetics, medical and skincare industries.
E-learning FAQs
22 May 2026 Share article GRC Solutions aims to deliver a consistent and seamless experience for e-learning customers. Through our regional one-stop shops, e-learning delegates now have control of their course bookings from within their account area. For individual licence customers, this allows you to purchase and instantly deploy your staff awareness solution – ideal if you have to work within strict time constraints.
GDPR FAQ
General The most common questions about what the GDPR is, how it works and where it fits in alongside other data protection legislation. The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a data protection law that serves two purposes: It controls how organisations are permitted to use people’s personal data. It grants rights to people so they can understand and manage how their personal data is used.
ISO 42001 and AI Governance FAQ
AI governance is the process of managing AI-related risks and legal requirements, and ensuring AI is used ethically and responsibly, in an organisation. It is an essential function for any organisation that develops or uses AI systems. ISO 42001 provides the requirements for an AI management system (AIMS) – a structured system for managing AI risk, meeting AI-related legal requirements, and developing or using AI systems responsibly.
PCI DSS FAQ
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, or PCI DSS, is an information security standard for merchants and service providers who process, store or transmit payment card data. It helps protect against financial fraud, and theft or misuse of payment card data. Complying with the PCI DSS is mandatory for any business that processes, stores or transmits payment card data. Any business that processes, stores or transmits payment card data must comply with the PCI DSS.
SOC 2 FAQ
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls) is a framework that helps service providers demonstrate that they keep customer data secure. It was developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to help companies assess the reliability of service providers. Those that complete a SOC 2 report provide customers and auditors with clear evidence that they have effective security controls and risk management practices in place.
ISO 27001 FAQ
ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 are international standards for information security management. ISO 27001 defines the requirements for an information security management system (ISMS), while ISO 27002 provides information and advice on implementing information security controls. ISO 27001 compliance means implementing an information security management system (ISMS) that meets the requirements of ISO 27001 and achieving accredited certification against the Standard.
EU Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) - A compliance guide
For organisations operating in the financial sector, regulatory oversight is nothing new. Finances are critical to the health and security of any nation. However, as the digital landscape continues to evolve and new threats emerge, organisations must continue to be held to a higher standard when protecting their hardware, software and services. DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) is among the latest EU regulations that help protect the financial sector from risk.
ISO Management Systems - What they are and why you should achieve certification
What is ISO certification? ISO certification provides independent, third-party verification that your management system meets the requirements of the applicable standard. Accredited certification bodies grant certification following a successful audit of the organisation’s management system. What are the benefits of ISO certifications? Organisations can use their certification to demonstrate to their customers and other stakeholders that their management system meets best practice.
PCI DSS Compliance - Simplifying your requirements and SAQ submissions
The PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) consists of a standardised, industry-wide set of requirements and processes for various security controls, ensuring that payment card and cardholder data are protected. In total, there are 6 control objectives, which are split into 12 requirements. These are further divided into hundreds of sub-requirements. However, you may only need to comply with a small subset of the requirements, depending on how you take payments.
Cyber Essentials - A guide to the scheme
IT Governance is now GRC Solutions. Same team of experts plus more solutions, services and products. Most cyber attacks are basic, opportunistic endeavours that target vulnerabilities rather than organisations. As the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) puts it, these relatively simple methods are “the equivalent of a burglar checking a front door to see if it is locked”, and account for around 80% of cyber attacks.
Penetration Testing and ISO 27001 – Securing your ISMS
As part of your ISO 27001 risk assessment, you must identify information security risks within the scope of your ISMS (information security management system). Penetration testing is one of the best ways to gain accurate, detailed information about those risks. Penetration testing establishes whether the security in place to protect networks, applications and other key systems is adequate and functioning correctly.
Data Flow Mapping Under the GDPR – A concise guide
IT Governance is now GRC Solutions. Same team of experts plus more solutions, services and products. Data flow maps are an essential resource for any organisation that wants to stay on top of its GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) requirements. Data flow mapping helps you understand how personal data moves through your systems and how to integrate new processing activities into your compliance practices.
Conducting ISO 27001 Risk Assessments - A five-step compliance guide
IT Governance is now GRC Solutions. Same team of experts plus more solutions, services and products. Section 6.1.2 of ISO 27001 explicitly requires compliant organisations to carry out risk assessments based on agreed risk acceptance criteria. Conducting the risk assessment is often a tricky and complicated task, especially if it is your first time doing so.
Appointing an EU Representative - What UK organisations need to know
IT Governance is now GRC Solutions. Same team of experts plus more solutions, services and products. Many UK organisations offer goods or services in the EU and EEA, or process the personal data of EU residents. Like all non-EU organisations, they must appoint an EU representative or risk significant financial penalties. In this white paper, discover: The legislative background; Who needs a GDPR or NIS Directive representative; How to designate a representative; and The duties of the representative.
Cyber Security and ISO 27001 – Reducing your cyber risk
ISO 27001 is the international best-practice standard for cyber security. Organisations of all sizes use ISO 27001 to assure their boards, customers, stakeholders and staff that they are cyber secure. If you don’t know your organisation is cyber secure, then you’re taking the sort of risk that your shareholders, customers and regulators would deem irresponsible and unacceptable.
CISM Exam and Career Prep Checklist
Achieving a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) qualification is the definitive step for security professionals looking to transition from technical expertise to executive leadership. Our comprehensive fact sheet helps you understand how to prepare for the CISM exam. From summarising the basics of CISM to expert tips on how to pass the exam, we give you the essential blueprint for success. To download this fact sheet, please complete the form.
TITANIC: TOO FEW LIVES SAVED?
Why Were The Lifeboats Launched With Empty Seats? When referring back to my article Titanic: The Truth About The Lifeboats, we now know that Titanic was carrying more lifeboats than what the law demanded. We also know that the 20 lifeboats she carried could hold a total of 1,154 people, but just over 700 people were saved. Why was this? The answer lies with the fact that not all of the lifeboats were launch fully loaded. But who and what can answer for the lifeboats being launched with empty seats?
TITANIC: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LIFEBOATS
Were There TRULY Too Few Lifeboats? The Titanic sank in the early hours of Monday, April 15th, 1912 with a loss of 1,500 out of the 2,200 people on board. Only 700 people survived, but could more people have been saved? Yes, thanks to the many reasons why crew launched the lifeboats with empty seats, fewer were saved. If the crew filled every boat to capacity, approximately 1,154 people could have been saved.
Trade tensions, megatrends, and sustainability in European petrochemicals
Trading relationships are top on the minds of many in Europe, especially with the evolving trade tensions between China and the US, and Brexit. In the longer term however, population megatrends, feedstock developments, and innovative technologies underpin growth in the industry, with sustainability and the circular economy also critical.
Commodities 2021: Butadiene demand recovery to battle fresh online capacity
Highlights New capacities to prompt Chinese exports European downstream to remain initially dependent on exports London — Global butadiene demand is expected to continue to recover in the first half of 2021, in line with increasing downstream tire and automobile production. However, Asia's spot demand may slow down in line with rising butadiene capacities. Not registered? Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience.
EMEA: The week ahead in petrochemicals
London — Olefins Not registered? Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience. Register Now Ethylene spot prices are expected to remain under pressure because of ample supply, weak derivative PE demand and falling Asian prices. The butadiene market is awaiting the settlement of the September contract price negotiations, expected to be concluded early in the week.
FEATURE: Butadiene market looks set to stay historically weak for rest of year
London — The global butadiene market is expected to remain bearish in much of the second half of 2020, following falling prices in the first half of the year as demand from the automotive industry collapsed. Not registered? Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience.
FACTBOX: Coronavirus affecting EMEA petrochemicals markets
Highlights Market participants keep an eye on production in France as labor unions are pressuring the government to take stricter measures to protect workers. Vestolit to start two-week maintenance at Marl PVC site end of March, taking advantage of lower demand. Spain's CEPSA declares force majeure on phenol and acetone. Many virgin polyethylene terephthalate and PET recycling sites remain near full capacity to meet demand for food packaging.
EU plastic recycling drive pits consumer demand against economic realities
Recognition of plastic waste as a global problem has spurred legislation and industry initiatives in the last two years, and driven growth in demand for recycled plastics. When it comes to developing recycling as a sustainable business, Europe leads the way, and in particular the market for polyethylene terephthalate (PET), best known as the material of choice for plastic drinks bottles.
Recycled plastics: The future is ‘clear’ for head of Petcore, Christian Crépet
This week's Commodities Focus podcast looks at the recycled plastics markets in Europe - the current situation and what the future holds in light of new legislation coming into force over the coming years. Join Luke Milner and Ben Brooks from the European petrochemicals team as they talk to Christian Crépet, Executive Director at Petcore, who gives his views on what the future of recycled plastics looks like. To continue reading you must login or register with us. It’s free and easy to do.
Is European recycling up to the plastic waste challenge?
This is the concluding article in a three-part series exploring oil, plastics demand and sustainability. European governments and corporates are setting ambitious goals on plastics recycling, but there are practical and economic hurdles to get over if the policies are to be a success.
Trade tensions, megatrends, and sustainability in European petrochemicals
Trading relationships are top on the minds of many in Europe, especially with the evolving trade tensions between China and the US, and Brexit. In the longer term however, population megatrends, feedstock developments, and innovative technologies underpin growth in the industry, with sustainability and the circular economy also critical.
BASF declares force majeure on methyl methacrylate from Ludwigshafen
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Quality the biggest obstacle for use of recycled plastic: EuPC
London — The main obstacle to greater use of recycled plastic as a raw material is its quality, according to a European survey conducted by the European Plastics Converters Association (EuPC), which published its findings Thursday.
EMEA petrochemicals outlook, w/c Oct 22
London — Logistics issues in the propylene inland market are continuing to hamper spot activity this week due to critically low water levels on the River Rhine. On the back of this, inland availability is building up as some derivatives are unable to run at full rates. The low Rhine water levels are also impacting the ethylene market, which is lengthening as demand from downstream polyethylene producers has been disrupted.
EPCA: EMEA petrochemicals outloook, w/c Oct 7
Vienna — OLEFINS: The ethylene market is expected to remain long this week as no further maintenances are scheduled on the near horizon and as traders try to work out an arbitrage to Asia. Signs of tightness remains in propylene markets due to planned and unplanned outages -- polymer-grade spot prices continue to be heard at a small premium to the contract price. However, the market is expected to ease on the back of weaker demand seen in downstream markets.
EMEA petrochemicals outlook, w/c Oct 1
London — The ethylene market has turned long and a spot deal for a 3,000 mt cargo at a 20% discount to the monthly contract price, reported last Friday, suggested that prices may come under further pressure in the coming week.
Trade wars and shifting trade flows mark petrochemical developments in 2018
Welcome to The Snapshot – our series which examines the forces shaping and driving global commodities markets today. Stagnant polymers demand in the Turkish market, driven by wider economic uncertainty and the ongoing weakness of the Turkish lira against the US dollar, is driving uncertainty in neighboring markets. Bearish sentiment has grown in the Turkish polymers markets across the course of the year.
Initial European methanol Q4 CP settlements up on Q3: sources
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Russia's Tomsk Methanol starts planned maintenance
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European methanol spot prices stable as Rhine levels impede activity
London — Spot prices in the European methanol market have oscillated around Eur348-350/mt FOB Rotterdam since August 9, according to S&P Global Platts data, with sources attributing the limited movement to the European summer holiday period and low water levels along the Rhine river system into Germany. The drop in water levels on the Rhine has prompted market participants to turn to alternative forms of transport, such as rail cars and trucks, to keep methanol supplies moving.
African polyolefin markets to feel full impact of Turkish weakness in Sep
London — African polyolefin markets have begun to be affected by declining demand in Turkey, but the full impact is not expected until September, according to market sources this week. "Things happen slowly in Africa and the global turmoil will take a toll on Africa and we will likely see that in September," one source said, a view shared by many in the market.
SMBs continue to be cybercrime targets
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the perfect target for cyber criminals. They typically have a large cache of personal data that can be accessed en masse, making them a much more lucrative target than going after individuals’ personal data. And, unlike large corporations, SMEs generally don’t invest heavily in cyber security, meaning it won’t take too much hard work to break in. Despite this, most SMEs don’t realise the extent of the cyber security threats they face.
Europe post-consumer PET bottle prices set to vary across borders
LONDON (ICIS)--Post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle prices in France and Germany could be moving in opposing directions in January, according to market sources. The national divisions which split the European recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET) market have become increasingly visible as sentiment in price negotiations in the French and German markets vary, with potentially different outcomes.
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