EU orders registration of Sinopec polyvinyl alcohol imports
The EU has introduced customs registration for certain polyvinyl alcohol imports made by Sinopec in China. The measure accompanies a reopened anti-dumping examination and leaves the final level of any revised EU duties unresolved.
Covestro plans Antwerp polycarbonate production cuts
Covestro has outlined a reorganisation of polycarbonate production in Antwerp as mounting competitive pressures reshape its European operations. The plan would retain specialty production while reducing commodity activities there.
German wholesale chemical prices rise 16.4% in September
German wholesale chemical prices increased sharply in September as energy and intermediate-product costs continued to rise. Overall wholesale inflation reached its highest level since February 2023.
IMF raises 2026 global growth forecast to 3.1%
15 Oct 26 Economics
The IMF has revised its global growth forecast higher for 2026 while maintaining its 2027 outlook. Geopolitical uncertainty and energy-price risks persist, while AI-driven demand supports selected economies.
EU rejects third-country recycled plastics verification
The European Commission has responded to China and Thailand over proposed EU criteria for when recycled plastics cease to be waste. The exchange addresses verification of imported recyclate and the timetable for applying the rules
OPmobility Plans German Automotive Production Transfer
14 Oct 26 Autos
OPmobility is considering a transfer of automotive exterior-component production from its German manufacturing facility as the supplier adjusts its European industrial footprint to weaker vehicle demand and persistent overcapacity.
US Gulf oil production shutdowns ease as hurricane disruption continues
12 Oct 26 Energy Production
US Gulf oil and gas shutdowns eased on 10 October as operators reduced precautionary suspensions associated with Hurricane Isaias. Official figures show production remained substantially curtailed despite the early recovery.
Irplast commissions new BOPP film line at Italian manufacturing site
12 Oct 26 Industrial PP Production
Irplast has commissioned a new polypropylene film-stretching line at its Atessa site in Italy. The installation forms part of a wider investment programme targeting specialty BOPP films for recyclable flexible packaging markets.
Asia–Europe container freight rates decline further
Asia–Europe container shipping costs have weakened further, according to Drewry's latest assessment. Rates on the principal northern European route declined, while Mediterranean prices remained stable during the week.
Europe’s gas squeeze is starting to land on polymer producers
09 Oct 26 Energy Supply Analysis Prices
European gas has climbed sharply since June as storage sits well below the seasonal norm and Gulf LNG stays out of reach. With winter hinging on Hormuz and the weather, polymer producers and buyers face costs they cannot plan for.
Magnera commissions five-layer blown-film line in Germany
09 Oct 26 Industrial Production
Magnera has installed a new blown-film production line at its German manufacturing site. The investment expands its film-making capabilities for healthcare and personal care applications, with commercial production still to begin.
US Gulf oil production shutdowns surge ahead of hurricane
09 Oct 26 Energy
Offshore oil and gas operators in the US Gulf have expanded precautionary production shutdowns as a hurricane approaches. New regulatory figures show the disruption has intensified sharply, with inspections planned after the storm
Pulpex opens commercial fibre-bottle factory in Scotland
09 Oct 26 Industrial
Pulpex has opened its first commercial fibre-bottle factory in Scotland, moving beyond pilot production. The new site has named launch customers and will also serve as a model for licensed manufacturing operations overseas today!
Innova acquires nine injection-moulding machines in Mexico
09 Oct 26 Industrial
Innova Engineered Plastics has acquired injection-moulding equipment and manufacturing space in Mexicali, Mexico. The investment broadens its ability to produce large components for medical, aerospace and technology customers now.
Arkema inaugurates €150m acrylic acid unit in France
09 Oct 26 Chems
Arkema has inaugurated a new acrylic acid purification unit at its Carling complex in France, completing a major industrial project intended to improve processing efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of site operations.
BASF raises North American PA6 prices from October
BASF has set out new North American terms for caprolactam, PA6 polymer and PA6/66 copolyamide. The move takes effect under its contract arrangements and follows the company’s warning of continued volatility across the nylon chain.
EU polymer production falls 6.6% as chemicals output weakens
07 Oct 26 Economics Production
Cefic's October report shows which parts of the EU chemical industry are shrinking fastest, and polymers are close to the bottom.
UK titanium dioxide anti-dumping duties proposed
07 Oct 26 Trade
The UK trade case over Chinese rutile titanium dioxide has reached a decisive stage, with findings that could reshape cost structures and sourcing for pigments used across plastics, coatings and other industrial applications, too.
Borouge AI operations at Ruwais enter live trial
Borouge has completed a proof of concept with Honeywell in a live production environment at Ruwais, building on earlier trials and advancing its AI operations programme towards an autonomous control room for full-scale operations.
PC plant in Cartagena, Spain, faces restructuring uncertainty
Spanish reports point to continued uncertainty around NexPoint's Cartagena operations as Mutares moves towards completing its review.