Huntsman Corporation is providing this podcast as an informational service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Huntsman Corporation. The views and opinions expressed by the guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Huntsman Corporation or any of its officers.
Huntsman Knows How
Did you know chemistry plays a critical role in the everyday lives of many millions of people? As a global chemicals company, Huntsman materials form the building blocks for countless consumer and industrial products that you use every day. On the Huntsman Knows How podcast, we come together to discuss emerging trends, new technologies, and the people who make it all happen. If there’s a topic you would like to see us cover in the future, reach out to us at HuntsmanKnowsHow@huntsman.com. Huntsman Corporation is providing this podcast as an informational service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Huntsman Corporation. The views and opinions expressed by the guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Huntsman Corporation or any of its officers.
Episodes

Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
In this conversation, the speaker discusses the current state of Huntsman Corporation, reflecting on the challenges faced over the past few years, including industry downturns, economic factors, and the impact of interest rates. The discussion also covers the importance of understanding external economic trends, the state of the Chinese economy, and the challenges faced by Europe in terms of energy policies. The speaker emphasizes the need for strategic decision-making in light of these challenges and explores the future of electric vehicles and innovations within the company. Additionally, the speakers delve into the implications of AI on energy demand, the optimism surrounding AI's potential in cancer research, and the evolving political landscape with figures like U.S. President Trump and Elon Musk. They discuss the necessity for government transparency, the future of social security, and the importance of maintaining faith in institutions. The conversation also touches on the innovative approaches in cancer research and the personal joys of grandparenting.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
05:10 Understanding External Economic Factors
09:00 The Impact of U.S. Interest Rates
11:52 Chinese Economic Trends and Demand
14:49 The State of European Industry
17:52 Energy Policies and Manufacturing Challenges
21:00 Opportunities Amidst Uncertainty
23:58 The Role of Tariffs in Global Trade
27:48 The Future of Electric Vehicles
34:59 Innovations in Materials Science
37:01 The Future of Chip Manufacturing and Cleanliness
38:50 AI Optimism vs. Alarmism
40:50 AI's Role in Cancer Research
43:46 Future of Space Exploration
45:02 Trump's Political Impact and the Movement
47:15 Elon Musk's Unique Approach to Challenges
52:32 Government Spending and Accountability
56:04 The Need for Transparency in Government
01:01:33 Maintaining Faith in Institutions
01:04:11 Innovations in Cancer Research and AI

Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
In this conversation, Britt Benko shares her journey from growing up in an oil and gas family in the Rocky Mountains to becoming a prominent figure in the industry. She discusses her education, the influence of mentors, and the personal impact of safety in the workplace. Britt reflects on her career at BP, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, and the significance of the Gulf of Mexico incident in shaping her professional outlook. Brittany reflects on her experiences during the Deepwater Horizon crisis, discussing the challenges of crisis management and leadership. She shares insights on personal growth through adversity, the importance of organizational culture in safety, and the transition from the oil and gas industry to the chemical sector. Benko emphasizes the role of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) in modern industry and discusses the balance between career and family life, ultimately reflecting on his career achievements and legacy. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Britt Benko 02:23 Growing Up in an Oil and Gas Family 05:43 Education and Early Career Decisions 11:59 Mentorship and Career Path at BP 15:15 Personal Impact of Safety in the Industry 19:51 Career Development at BP 25:01 The Gulf of Mexico Incident 26:42 Crisis Management and Leadership During Deepwater Horizon 35:55 Personal Growth Through Adversity 39:35 Organizational Culture and Safety 40:06 Transitioning from Oil & Gas to Chemical Industry 43:52 The Role of EHS in Modern Industry 44:52 Balancing Career and Family Life 51:49 Reflecting on Career Achievements and Legacy

Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Guest - Vin Kumar This conversation delves into various themes surrounding technological innovations, energy efficiency, market trends, and the challenges faced in implementation. The speakers reflect on past experiences and share insights into future directions, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changes in the industry.
Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:15 What is AI?
3:50 Neural Networks & Predictive Models
7:56 AI within Enterprises
9:53 Types of Work
14:09 Death of PowerPoint?
15:50 Types of work cont.
17:14 Enterprise vs Personal use
20:03 3 ways of Adoption of AI
24:50 Expense reports example
27:40 Open-Source vs Closed-Source
AI 31:54 What should business leaders do next?
34:15 Future of AI predictions
36:55 Closing remarks

Monday Aug 26, 2024
Monday Aug 26, 2024
On this episode of Huntsman knows how, host Kevin Gundersen talks with President of Performance Products, Jan Buberl.

Monday Jun 10, 2024
Monday Jun 10, 2024
Huntsman Knows How host Kevin Gundersen is joined in-studio by Huntsman Advanced Materials Division President, Scott Wright.
In this episode, the pair discusses Wright's journey from Kirkcaldy, Scotland to Houston, Texas, where today he helms one of Huntsman's most innovative sectors.
"He knows a lot about aerospace, automobiles and artificial intelligence," Gundersen said.
Wright also shares his evolution from professional footballer (soccer) to academic — he earned a doctorate degree in two-step laser mass spectrometry at the University of Edinburgh — to becoming a leading chemicals industry executive.

Monday Apr 29, 2024
Monday Apr 29, 2024
On this episode of Huntsman Knows How, host Kevin Gundersen, Vice President of Huntsman Corporate Communications and Government Affairs, sits downs with Manchester native, Tony Hankins, Huntsman's President of Polyurethanes. Tony shares stories of his 40-year tenure in the industry, including how he built a business in Minhang, China in the 1990s; his experiences as an expat in the East and West; the joys of fatherhood, and other life lessons he’s learned along the way.

Thursday Mar 07, 2024
Thursday Mar 07, 2024
Huntsman Corporation's CEO Peter Huntsman, stopped by the studio for the first time to discuss the company's recent earnings announcement; global trends in the petrochemical industry; deindustrialization in Europe, and life at home as a husband, father, grandfather and culinary hobbyist.
Hosted by Huntsman's Vice President of Corporate Communications and Government Affairs, Kevin Gundersen.

Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
March 22, 2023: This installment of the Huntsman Knows How podcast features Huntsman marketing managers Jay Henderson and Sukchul Kang, joined by Mark Thirsk, Managing Partner of Linx Consulting. The group gives a high-level overview of semiconductor technology, provides insight into the rapidly evolving semiconductor industry, and discusses how EHS, quality, and purity will affect semiconductor manufacturing in the future.

Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
In this bonus clip from episode five, guests John Fraser and Zach Lyles explain the benefits of the MIRALON® process over the more familiar process of Steam Methane Reforming (SMR).

Thursday Mar 09, 2023
Thursday Mar 09, 2023
March 9, 2023: In this episode, guests John Fraser and Zach Lyles discuss what makes MIRALON® carbon structural materials so versatile. Thinner than a human hair and 25 times the specific strength of steel, learn how MIRALON® structural carbon products are not only expanding the boundaries of what's possible in the advanced materials space, but—through the manufacturing process itself—how it delivers a creative carbon capture strategy that simultaneously supports the production of clean, localized hydrogen.