The shortage of raw materials is another issue reducing availability to critical levels in Europe.
Trinseo declared force majeure (FM) on styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) on the back of shortages of acrylonitrile (ACN), according to reliable market sources.
ACN production issues started to emerge in Q4 when INEOS experienced a drastic fall in production in Germany.
However, the current shortages of ACN in Europe are not only to do with INEOS.
Market feedback suggests that ACN is suffering from a global shortage, with many producers affected.
The issues appear to be linked to a lack of propylene, which probably stems from the ongoing disruptions from the pandemic.
As propylene is also produced as a by-product of oil refining, the lack in demand for fuels has reduced supply of propylene.
What is more, Trinseo is not the only producer that is being affected by the ACN shortages.
Versalis in Italy has also been affected. And while other producers have not declared FM, they are said to have increased substantially lead times.
The lack of ACN adds yet another major event that is heavily reducing SAN and also ABS supply in Europe, along with shipping disruptions curtailing Asian imports.