About this podcast
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 host Andy Erickson for a 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 host: Andy Erickson, VP of Global Product Management, converses with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to markets across the industry.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 42 episodes
- Beyond the Ballot: What's Next for the Chemical Industry · 31 min · Season 5 Episode 7⚗️ Politics and chemistry have something in common: change one element, and you can change the reaction. In Beyond the Ballot: What’s Next for the Chemical Industry?, Ryan…
- The Chicken-or-Egg Argument Behind Chemistry and Chemicals · 18 min · Season 5 Episode 6Which came first: chemistry or chemicals? More importantly, why does chemistry often get a positive reaction while chemicals get a bad rap? In this episode of the Smart Acids…
- Shortages, Storms & Strategies: A Supply Chain Reality Check · 27 min · Season 5 Episode 5Smart 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…
- The Golden Mussel Threat · 22 min · Season 5 Episode 4Golden mussels are spreading fast—and water infrastructure is feeling the pressure. 🎙️In this episode of the Smart Acids Podcast, host Andy Erickson is joined by Univar Solutions…
- Jen McIntyre: Courage, Kindness, and Chemistry · 28 min · Season 5 Episode 3As she begins her well‑earned retirement, Jen McIntyre is taking time to reflect —and to give back—by sharing her story on a podcast this week with hosts Andy Erickson & Chris…
- Pourin’ Up Some Texas Tea: Crude Talk with Bill Groel · 27 min · Season 5 Episode 2Energy volatility. Geopolitical tension. Shifting crude markets. If you’re trying to make sense of how these forces are reshaping the chemical industry, this SmartAcids™ Podcast…
- Corporate Accounts in a Changing Market · 22 min · Season 5 Episode 1In this episode of Smart Acids, George Knox, VP of Corporate Accounts, joins Andy and Chris to talk about how centralizing chemical distribution under one partner simplifies the…
- Sideline Strategy: Trends in Chemical Distribution · 30 min · Season 4 Episode 7Who’s the real MVP—on the field and in the chemical industry? In this episode of Smart Acids, Andy and Chris put Bob Craycraft CEO of Univar Solutions’ Chemical Distribution &…
- Driving Impact Across the Value Chain · 30 min · Season 4 Episode 6Andy and Chris kicked off the episode in big hats—and even bigger conversation. In this episode, Liam McCarroll, DProf, Senior Director, Global Sustainability and Sukhjit…
- Rooted in Family, Driven by Chemistry · 23 min · Season 4 Episode 5Smart Acids Podcast | S4E5: Rooted in Family, Driven by Chemistry In this episode, hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst welcome sibling leaders Shelly Manos and Brandon Lowery…
- Smart Acids: On the Road – Exclusive Insights from Our CKO Transportation Event · 55 min · Season 4 Episode 4Recorded live at our invite-only Carrier Kickoff (CKO) transportation event In July 2025. This special episode of Smart Acids hits the road with industry leaders to unpack the…
- Freight Futures · 29 min · Season 4 Episode 3In this high-octane episode of Smart Acids, we’re riding shotgun with Chris Pickett, Lead Market Analyst at Pickett Research and Chief Commercial Officer at Flock Freight—the…
- From Alt Rock to Alt Fuels · 25 min · Season 4 Episode 2In this episode, we sit down with Jacob Givens—actor, social media influencer, and Director of Promotion & Marketing at Biofriendly —to explore the intersection of Alternative…
- Tackling Tariffs Together - Expert Insights and Strategies · 38 min · Season 4 Episode 1Join hosts Andy and Chris as they dive into the complexities of tariffs and their impact on the chemical industry in this enlightening episode of the Smart Acids Podcast…
- Chips: Beyond phones and video games · 23 min · Season 3 Episode 6In this episode, the Smart Acids hosts welcome Joe 'Sherlock' Holmes, Business Development Manager, Electronics. Joe gives us a glimpse into the world of semiconductors and…
- A look back at two legendary careers · 19 min · Season 3 Episode 5Smart 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…
- Pricing roller coaster ride and the return of ethanol · 15 min · Season 3 Episode 4Learn 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…
- Global Supply Chain 360 + Baltimore Key Bridge Incident · 16 min · Season 3 Episode 4What’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…
- Chef Mike's top food trends of 2024 + culinary product development · 23 min · Season 3 Episode 2What's shaping the future of food and beverage markets? Chef Mike Haracz brings his corporate chef expertise to the Smart Acids table to discuss the innovative landscape of the…
- Smart Acids' excellent adventure through science history and chemical innovation · 19 min · Season 3 Episode 1"Everything in our world is chemistry and chemistry is everywhere in our lives," - David Allen Cole, CEO of the Science History Institute This episode is one for the history…
