Smart Acids welcome back both Duane 'Papa Z' Ziolkoswki and Rick 'Ricky Lee' Roth. In this special episode Duane and Rick provide a retrospective on each of their 40+ year careers, the distribution industry over time, what has changed and what has remained constant.

01:30 – Papa Z shows up in a suit and tie and turns the tables with a surprise quiz

04:30 – Chemical distribution over time, including changes in distributor makeup, technical support and access, global connectedness

07:11 – People and tech-related trends

09:37 – Quiz: Rick ‘Ricky Lee’ Roth gets tested on all things retirement

12:12 – Rick’s experience and backstory in the industry

12:40 – Changes observed in the speed, communications and relationship-building within the industry

15:15 – People and tech-related trends and what Rick wish he knew back when

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

Learn about the alcohol market's ups and downs and gain valuable insights into what's ahead for IPA and ethanol.

The Smart Acids hosts welcome Duane "Papa Z" Ziolkowski, Product Director, Solvents for Univar Solutions. Listen as he explores the industry's latest market trends, including:

• Pricing fluctuations
• Changing market
• End-use evolution

01:50 – Welcome back, Papa Z

02:12 – Quiz: inventions that didn't exist before Duane's 40-year career

04:40 – Fickle propylene, pricing roller coaster

07:20 – Forward-looking view on propylene and IPA through 2024

09:05 – Ethanol market dynamics

10:36 – Synthetic market flux

11:46 – End market applications, impact of weight-loss drug surge

12:28 – Clean label demands and the return of ethanol

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

What’s the current state of our global supply chain and what’s driving costs, efficiencies and risk to the maritime shipping network?

The Smart Acids return to navigate what's happening at sea with Jeff “Starbuck” Dixon, Director of International Trade Services for Univar Solutions. Listen now as Dixon discusses how carriers are withstanding disruptions such as the Baltimore Key Bridge incident, how the supply chain is impacted by geopolitical factors, climate change and associated regulations, artificial intelligence, and more.

3:10 - Bonus game: Chris and Andy put Jeff to the test on all things related to ships!
5:46 - Baltimore Port recovery
6:50 - Geopolitical impacts on shipping
8:09 - "China Plus One" logistics and commodities
8:40 - Shifting sourcing in international supply chain
9:09 - Environmental and climate impacts + alternative fuels
10:38 - Regulatory perspective and carbon taxes
12:00 - Cybersecurity safety and risk + port automation

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.