Consumer confidence remains positive in the EU, with the indicator increasing 3.1 points in April.
With a third consecutive positive reading, the EU commission indicator is now above its long-term average.
An increase in consumer confidence implies that there could be enough momentum on demand for many polymers for the rest of 2021.
Demand for polymers has been strong since last summer, regardless of economic performance.
With the pandemic leading to lockdowns, spending was likely diverted away from leisure activities and towards household goods. Therefore, many engineering polymers experienced a surge in demand.
Meanwhile, with vaccinations continuing across Europe, confidence is growing of an economic recovery.
And this in turn should prevent a sharp reduction in demand for polymers when spending increases on leisure activities.
Nevertheless, concerns of inflationary pressures are growing which could ease the economic recovery later in the year.
As such, visibility remains low for 2H 2021, and most likely polymer players will experience a chaotic as opposed to a smooth return to normality.