As Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, aspects of the chemicals value chain are shifting – with signs of rebounding Ukrainian demand and a return to day-to-day business activity. Yuriy Shafran is the marketing director and co-founder of Ukraine-headquartered OSV, a polyurethane (PU) processing machinery maker and raw materials supplier. He, along with OSV’s senior engineer and two other colleagues, relocated – and now operate from – the company’s satellite site in Poland. Shafran told Tecnon OrbiChem that he believes – as of mid-April – around 50% of OSV’s Ukrainian customer base were operating within the country, some having relocated to its western frontier. ‘A month ago the situation was different. People were shocked by the war and unable to proceed with their lives. After almost two months, people are seeing how to make the next steps. We understand that if we stop, we will not be able to recover.’ Dramatic changes in phenol markets The European phenol market has gone throug...