Interviews with ResourceWise and with Townsend
George West and Steve Wilkerson GW: Director of Chemical Intelligence SW: Sales Director North America
RESOURCEWISE
Could you outline how ResourceWise is enhancing its platform through acquisitions?
SW: We are consolidating multiple platforms – spanning wood markets, pulp and paper, and chemicals – into the unified ResourceWise platform. Our focus is on advanced analytics beyond standard reporting, with deep dives into downstream demand, feedstock dynamics, and product-level insights. What do tools like ChemEdge360 and Prima CarbonZero offer clients?
GW: With ChemEdge360, we moved beyond traditional PDF reports to a dynamic platform offering real-time alerts on market shifts, plant outages, and pricing changes. We are merging ChemEdge360 and OrbiChem360 into one enhanced system, with improved forecasting tools, set to launch by the end of 2025.
SW: Prima CarbonZero exemplifies how we align sustainability with economic viability, offering solutions that comply with regulations while maintaining business margins. This approach helps clients navigate key policy shifts without sacrificing profitability. ResourceWise is actively integrating valuable information into unified, actionable strategies.
What is the state of the bio-based chemical market today?
SW: Overall, the chemical market is still dominated by petro-based products. The key for bio-based products to thrive is diversification – such as when biofuel production also results in a bio-based byproduct. With biodiesel production projected to rise over the next decade, associated bio-chemicals are positioned to deliver both environmental and economic benefits.
How will ResourceWise’s platform develop over the coming years?
SW: We continue to unify our tools into a “super platform,” while integrating AI and other technologies. The goal is to simplify access to insights, enabling clients to instantly check product prices or calculate freight-adjusted values via a mobile, AI-enhanced interface.
GW: The integration of AI and seamless interfaces will mark a clear step forward in how we deliver information, offering faster, more intuitive access to actionable market intelligence.
Simone de Faria Head of Latin America
TOWNSEND SOLUTIONS
Can you walk us through Townsend’s activities?
We are a company specializing in plastics and resins, publishing detailed reports on these sectors. We conduct in-depth analyses of supply and demand across various plastic families, examining more than 300 end-use applications for each. Our reports on polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are updated annually. We also publish studies focused on the US market and the global petrochemical industry. In addition, we develop bespoke reports tailored to specific products or regions for our clients. Which plastic products are gaining traction in Latin America and which ones are experiencing a downturn in demand?
Latin America’s plastics market is heavily influenced by public policy. PE remains the most in-demand plastic due to its use in food packaging. Since many governments in the region provide subsidies to low-income populations—most of which are spent on food—this sustains consistent demand for PE, as seen last year.
Meanwhile, newer equipment is driving demand for more specialized plastics, such as metallocene PE, and alpha olefins PE. This shift reflects a broader trend: many producers are pivoting toward higher value-added products in response to narrowing margins in the general plastics market. How can regional producers increase their market share?
The increase in tariffs from outside Mercosur could increase the competitiveness of local petrochemicals from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile, which are exempt from customs duties. Therefore, an increase in intra-zone trade is expected. What are Townsend’s plans for 2025 and beyond?
Artificial intelligence is a key focus area for us. Much of our work can be repetitive and time-consuming, and automating these tasks would allow us to devote more time to engaging with experts, opinion leaders, and industry stakeholders—interactions that significantly enrich our analysis.