Chemical Show: Business, Leadership, Supply Chain, Talent, AI, Trends - Conversations and more

Join industry leaders at The Chemical Summit on September 29-30, 2026 in Houston, Texas.  Visit thechemicalsummit.com

Navigating growth, leadership, and innovation in polyurethanes, Robert (Bob) Tauchen, VP of Polyurethanes at the Coim Group, joins Victoria Meyer for an expert look at how the industry is adapting to shifting markets and new technologies. Bob explains Coim’s global strategy as a family-owned Italian company investing deeply in the US, first in New Jersey, and now expanding to Texas to address the evolving needs of North American customers. 

Victoria and Bob discuss the realities of growth expectations post-COVID, why long-term vision is essential in the chemical industry, and how relationships, trust, and reliability drive success in the US market. They also explore how leadership styles are changing with new generations, the stressors facing today’s teams, and why building context and motivation is more important than ever.  


Key topics this week include: 
  • Global Expansion: How Coim’s strategy balances investment, logistics, and customer proximity in the US 
  • Industry Recovery: The impact of COVID-era growth spikes and how to reset realistic performance goals 
  • US Market Dynamics: Why trust, reliability, and local presence matter more than price 
  • Leadership Today: Managing across generations, keeping teams engaged, and adapting to new expectations 
  • AI in Chemicals: Where AI brings value, why implementation is complex, and the need for thoughtful investment 

Killer Quote: “The short-term growth addiction that I see, people make bad decisions..... we got addicted to this COVID profit margin return to significant growth.” — Bob Tauken 


Other links: 
Polyurethanes Technical Conference (CPI): Learn more and register for the upcoming event in Orlando here. 

Creators and Guests

Host
Victoria King Meyer
Founder & Host of The Chemical Show + The Chemical Summit; Victoria brings 25+ years industry leadership experience including Shell and Clariant and a Victoria brings a practical, business-focused perspective to conversations about leadership, strategy, innovation, and the forces shaping the future of the chemical industry.to

What is Chemical Show: Business, Leadership, Supply Chain, Talent, AI, Trends - Conversations and more?

Looking to lead, grow, and stay ahead in the global chemical industry?

The Chemical Show is the #1 business podcast for the chemical industry, bringing you leadership insights, business strategies, industry trends, and real-world lessons from the executives shaping the business of chemicals.

Each week, host Victoria King Meyer sits down with leaders from across the chemical industry, from Fortune 50 companies to mid-sized businesses and innovative startups. You’ll hear how they’re navigating today’s challenges and opportunities, the experiences that shaped their leadership, and the insights you can apply to your own business and career.

Conversations explore the issues that matter to chemical industry leaders, including:

• Business strategy and growth
• Leadership and talent
• Innovation and technology
• AI and digital transformation
• Supply chain and operational resilience
• Markets, customers, and industry trends

Victoria brings more than 25 years of chemical industry experience from companies including Shell, LyondellBasell, and Clariant. Today, she is an executive advisor and coach, founder of The Chemical Summit, and host of The Chemical Show.

Whether you’re an executive, business leader, or rising leader in chemicals and materials, The Chemical Show helps you stay informed, think differently, and lead with greater impact.

Follow The Chemical Show on LinkedIn and join the conversation. (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-chemical-show/)

The Chemical Show: https://www.thechemicalshow.com
The Chemical Summit: https://www.thechemicalsummit.com
Progressio Global: https://www.progressioglobal.com