Latest News & Insights

Polycarbonate prices plummet in September. In September 2023, polycarbonate grade prices saw noticeable decreases. Despite post-holiday expectations, demand stayed low. Domestic prices are now competitive, making import offers, especially from … Read more

European pmma market faces downturn amid import competition. In September, the European polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) market experienced a consistent decline in prices across all segments due to competition from cost-effective … Read more

EU styrene prices set for limited decrease. After experiencing an unprecedented surge in the September contract price, styrene monomer appears poised for a decrease in October. The increase in September … Read more

INEOS Styrolution hikes prices. The company, a leading global manufacturer of styrenics, has announced significant price increases. The increases of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) reflect … Read more

Trinseo considers Netherlands styrene closure. The company has commenced discussions regarding the potential closure of its styrene plant in Terneuzen, the Netherlands. The decision comes amid a 38% decrease in … Read more

Trinseo hikes polystyrene and copolymer prices. The company, a specialty material solutions provider, has announced a surge in its polystyrene and copolymer prices across Europe. Effective from August 1, 2023, … Read more

Covestro sales plunge, EBITDA down. In Q2 2023, Covestro’s financial performance reflected the challenging economic conditions, with group sales decreasing by 20.9% to €3.7 billion. EBITDA also fell by 29.6% … Read more

LANXESS action plan fights sales decline. The company launches “FORWARD!” action plan to cut costs and improve efficiency amidst an 11.1% decline in Q2 sales to €1.778 billion. CEO Matthias … Read more

PC surging trade May 2023. The Polycarbonate (PC) trade landscape within the EU27 has undergone a significant transformation during the first five months of 2023. Data from Eurostat shows import … Read more

EU27 PMMA imports surge, according to the latest data from Eurostat. EU27 has witnessed a dramatic rise in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) imports in 2023, hitting a two-year peak in May … Read more

Euro zone inflation falls. The Euro Zone’s yearly inflation rate is projected to fall to 5.3% in July 2023. Thir represents a decline from the 5.5% in June, based on … Read more

Euro area GDP grows. Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, reported that the euro area’s seasonally adjusted Gross Domestic Product (GDP) experienced a 0.3% growth in the second … Read more

EU consumer confidence shows improvement. The consumer confidence indicator in the European Union (EU) and the Euro Area has exhibited further improvement in July 2023, according to the flash estimate … Read more

EU car registrations experience 17.8% upturn. The European Union (EU) experienced a notable increase in June 2023 compared to the same month last year, according to reports from the European … Read more

Lyondellbasell buys share in dutch recycling company. The company has acquired 50% share in Stiphout Industries B.V. Stiphout specializes in the sourcing and processing of post-consumer plastic packaging waste. The … Read more

Eurozone inflation rate dips. The annual inflation rate in the Eurozone declined to 5.5% in June 2023, a significant decrease from May’s rate of 6.1% and substantially lower than the … Read more

EU construction shows a mixed picture. Construction production in the Eurozone and the broader EU region witnessed a modest rise of 0.2% in May 2023, in comparison to April 2023, … Read more

A marked shift in the trade balance of the EU27 has emerged in the first four months of 2023, as the polycarbonate (PC) EU exports drop significantly compared to the … Read more

PMMA import surge strains EU27 market. Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) imports into the European Union’s 27 member states (EU27) experienced a significant surge in April 2023, adding pressure to an already … Read more

Roehm to close Westwego. Roehm America LLC has announced the closure of its Westwego methyl methacrylate (MMA) production plant in Louisiana by June 2025. The decision comes as the company … Read more

INEOS Styrolution, Tomra, and EGN Entsorgungsgesellschaft Niederrhein are pioneering an alliance to turn polystyrene waste into packaging. They are creating the world’s first large-scale facility in Krefeld, Germany, to convert … Read more

Trinseo announces European price drop. Trinseo in conjunction with its European subsidiaries, has announced a significant price decrease for its entire lineup of polystyrene (PS), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), and … Read more

INEOS adjusts polystyrene prices in July. INEOS Styrolution, a major supplier in the global styrenics market, has announced significant price adjustments for its Polystyrene (GPPS, bulk) and High Impact Polystyrene … Read more

Elix’s anti-noise solution approved. ELIX Polymers secures crucial validation from a prominent German automotive firm for their specialty anti-squeak polymers. The materials, advanced grades of ABS and PC/ABS, have been … Read more

BASF Overhauls Ultraform Trade: Starting October 1, 2023, BASF will fundamentally reshape its European operations by modifying the distribution tactics for Ultraform (POM). The firm will hand over sales duties … Read more

New car registrations in the EU surge. May 2023 saw a surge in new car registrations in the European Union (EU) market. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) announced an … Read more

EU27 PMMA net imports increased in Q1, according to the lastest data by Eurostat. In the first quarter of 2023, the European Union (EU27) experienced substantial fluctuations in its PMMA … Read more

Eurozone and EU industrial output experienced a slight rebound in April 2023, indicating a positive trend compared to the previous month, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European … Read more

Trinseo lowers PS prices in June. Trinseo, a global provider of specialty material solutions, and its European affiliates, have announced price decreases for customers in Europe. They will be lowering … Read more

Euro area inflation declines. Euro area annual inflation is projected to decrease to 6.1% in May 2023. This information comes from a flash estimate released by Eurostat, the statistical office … Read more

INEOS decreases prices of PS. INEOS Styrolution, a leading global supplier of styrenics, has made a significant announcement regarding the pricing of Polystyrene (GPPS). Effective from June 1st, 2023, the … Read more

EU auto markets show solid growth. The European Union (EU) car market witnessed a significant surge in new car registrations during April 2023, according to ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association). … Read more

EU construction output declines in March. New data from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, reveals that the production in the construction sector experienced a decline in March … Read more

PMMA imports show significant growth. In February 2023, the total imports of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) into the EU27 region witnessed a substantial increase. According to the latest trade data from … Read more

EU industrial production declines, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. The data shows industrial production experienced a decline in March 2023 compared to the … Read more

Gas prices decreased below €35/MWh, offering much-needed relief to the polymer industry. After reaching a peak of around €345/MWh last summer, prices have steadily declined. Factors such as a mild … Read more

Total acquires Iber Resinas. TotalEnergies has acquired Iber Resinas, a Spain-based company that focuses on mechanical plastic recycling. Total aims to expand its production of circular polymers in Europe and … Read more

Eurozone inflation rises to 7.0% in April 2023, a slight increase from 6.9% in March, according to a flash estimate from Eurostat. The rise in inflation was largely driven by … Read more

German industry production declines. Germany’s Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) has released its report on industry production in March 2023. The data indicates a decline of 3.4% compared to the previous … Read more

Trinseo announce price increases. Trinseo has announced a price increase for its products starting on May 1, 2023. The prices of all GPPS, HIPS, ABS, and SAN grades will be … Read more

INEOS Styrolution raises GPPS prices. INEOS Styrolution has announced a price increase of +65€/mt for GPPS and a surcharge of +110€/mt for HIPS, effective May 1st, 2023. GPPS, genearl purpose … Read more

DuPont acquires Spectrum Plastics. DuPont, a chemical company, has announced the acquisition of Spectrum Plastics Group from AEA Investors, a private equity firm, for a sum of $1.75 billion. The … Read more

EU Q1 2023 GDP growth 0.3%. Eurostat‘s preliminary flash estimate for Q1 2023 reveals a 0.1% GDP increase in the euro area and a 0.3% growth in the EU. Both … Read more

EU car sales surge, according to European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). The EU car market experienced a remarkable growth in March 2023, as passenger car registrations increased by 28.8%. The … Read more

ABS prices fall amid lacklustre market. European acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) prices fell in April due to a decrease in raw material costs and weak demand, according GC Intelligence assessments. While the … Read more

EU consumer confidence improves. The EU and Euro area consumer confidence indicator in April showed signs of recovery. The data released by the European Commission showed encouraging signs for the … Read more

PA6 and PA66 markets grapple with weak demand. In April, the European polyamide 6 (PA6) and polyamide 66 (PA66) markets faced downward pressure on prices. The current developments can be … Read more

Polycarbonate (PC) prices supported by supply issues in April. European PC prices face upward pressure due to supply constraints caused by production issues. This is leading to delays and potential … Read more

PMMA costs surge despite sluggish demand. The polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) market saw rising methyl methacrylate (MMA) costs due to apparent disruptions in Saudi Arabia, leading to delays and a surge … Read more

EU PMMA imports decline. The EU’s PMMA imports fell in January 2023, according to recent data from Eurostat. PMMA is commonly used in auto parts, signs, and lighting fixtures. The … Read more

LEGO breaks ground on carbon-newutral factory. The LEGO Group has begun construction on its new factory in Virginia, USA, which is expected to cost $1 billion. The factory will become … Read more

European industrial production rises. Euro area and EU industrial production increased in February 2023 compared to January 2023, according to estimates from Eurostat. The seasonally adjusted industrial production rose by … Read more

Borealis secures renewable energy supply. Borealis and Axpo have signed their second long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) in six months. The deal involves a newly commissioned wind farm in Kröpuln, … Read more

Sinopec launches SBC plant project. Sinopec has announced that its subsidiary, Hainan Baling Chemical New Material, has launched production of its Styrene Butadiene Copolymer (SBC) project in Hainan, China. The … Read more