Polymers Exchange

• Europe bioethanol spot prices rise as corn-related supply concerns emerge
  LONDON (ICIS)--Supply concerns linked to a poor corn harvest in central and eastern Europe provided a boost to European bioethanol fuel spot prices this week. Fermentation-based bioethanol producers ... read more
• German chemicals, auto production falls in September
  LONDON (ICIS)--Germany’s industrial production fell by 2.7% month on month in September and was down by 5.2% year on year, according to statistical data released on Thursday. MONTH-ON-MONTH CHANGES ... read more
• Plans to scrap German gas storage fees may fall through as government coalition collapses
  LONDON (ICIS)--Germany’s controversial gas storage fee may be rolled forward into January 2025 as plans to scrap it may not be approved following the fall of the coalition government. The ... read more
• Low wind, interconnector outages to boost UK gas-fired power generation
  Below average wind output is forecast in the UK through the first half of November, which coincides with multiple interconnector outages Gas-fired power generation is likely to remain elevated in ... read more
• Promising Plastic Packaging: Our Pack Expo Picks
  From a breakthrough bioplastic pouch to new barrier bottle options, the semiannual Chicago tradeshow showcased innovations from forward-thinking companies. ... read more
• Viant Medical Bolts on Micro-molding Expertise
  The global contract services provider to medical device OEMs has acquired micro-molding specialist Knightsbridge Plastics. ... read more
• What's at Stake for Medtech as Trump Wins the Presidency?
  Where does Donald Trump stand on healthcare issues as he is elected the next president of the United States? ... read more
• Maschinenerweiterungen: NGR stellt optimiertes Fiber Package für faserverstärkte Kunststoffe vor
  Das neue Fiber Package von NGR ermöglicht eine speziell angepasste und verschleißarme Verarbeitung von glasfaserverstärktem Kunststoffabfall. Die Ausstattung bietet optimierte Komponenten, die auf maximale Effizienz und geringe Wartung ausgelegt sind. ... read more
• German Chancellor fires finance minister, government coalition collapses
  LONDON (ICIS)--German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday dismissed finance minister Christian Lindner, leading to the collapse of the country’s government coalition between Scholz’s Social ... read more
• European jet fuel prices climb as potential supply constraints loom
  LONDON (ICIS)--European jet kerosene spot quotations edged higher this week, supported by a combination of liquidity, improved Asian tenders, and a drawdown in regional stock levels, easing supply ... read more
• GLM MARKET REPORT: Asia spot LNG prices impacted by US election, demand expectations
  HOUSTON (ICIS)--Spot LNG prices rose in Asia earlier in the week as the broader energy market awaited clarity on the US presidential election outcome between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris ... read more
• Moldova limited January gas purchases may justify Russian imports – traders
  Dozens of buy tenders for forward contracts could not be finalised because of price ceiling, traders said Moldovagaz raises doubts over resumption of Russian gas exports to Right Bank Cheaper ... read more
• Nach dem Bruch der Ampel-Koalition: Umfrage zur politischen Lage und ihren Auswirkungen auf Unternehmen und Wirtschaft
  Nach dem Bruch der Ampel-Koalition und der Aussicht auf vorgezogene Neuwahlen stellen sich entscheidende Fragen zur politischen und wirtschaftlichen Zukunft. Teilen Sie Ihre Einschätzungen und Perspektiven zu den Herausforderungen und ... read more
• Asian LNG buying interest firms despite high prices
  East Asian LNG and European gas prices fluctuate in week 45 Traders concerned about US election and fundamentals over summer ‘25 Both markets engage in feedback loop for direction LONDON ... read more
• Europe acrylate esters year end destocking slowing, prices stable
  LONDON (ICIS)--Acrylate esters spot prices in Europe are stable as the pace of destocking at the end of the year has started to slow. Spot market subdued, demand weak Sufficient ... read more
• Eurozone construction activity declines at slowest pace this year, remains in negative territory
  LONDON (ICIS)--The eurozone construction sector showed signs of easing contraction in October, with activity declining at the slowest pace since December 2023, but falls were  still felt across all ... read more
• Europe PET gathers momentum amid higher freight rates, weaker euro
  LONDON (ICIS)--Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in Europe is still a bed of uncertainty when it comes to actual end demand, but PET resin buyers are seeking to secure volumes nevertheless. ... read more
• Europe AA stable and sluggish as year-end destocking slows
  LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe acrylic acid (AA) market has seen spot prices remain stable as demand continues to be sluggish. Subdued spot activity Demand stable but weak Sufficient supply available ... read more
• UPDATE: Crown LNG buys Grangemouth LNG assets, seeks FID by 2025
  Crown buys Grangemouth LNG assets Doubts over project coming to fruition Could be easier to expand existing terminals LONDON (ICIS)--Crown LNG, the UK-based LNG infrastructure company, has completed ... read more
• Beratung mit 360-Grad-Service: Hennecke bietet Service-Consulting zur Prozessoptimierung
  Hennecke bietet mit seinem neuen 360-Grad-Service-Consulting gezielte Unterstützung zur Optimierung von Polyurethan-Produktionsprozessen an. Der Service umfasst Maßnahmen zur Kostenreduktion, Effizienzsteigerung und nachhaltigen Produktionssicherung. ... read more
• Global PE, PP markets to see seasonal weakness in Q4 – LyondellBasell
  NEW YORK (ICIS)--LyondellBasell expects the global polyolefins market to see seasonal weakness in Q4 as customers work down inventories towards year end. “In Q4, we anticipate the typical seasonal ... read more
• CRUDE SUMMARY: Crude prices recover much of Monday’s heavy losses on market uncertainty
  Potential for Iranian retaliatory strike on Israel boosting Middle East risk premium Close US presidential race also creating crude volatility Likelihood of 25 basis points US interest rate cut next ... read more
• Europe domestic acetone spot prices continue to fall in weak market
  LONDON (ICIS)--Europe domestic acetone spot prices continue to tumble, amid frail demand and plentiful supply. Domestic acetone spot prices have been falling since the H2 of September, as market ... read more
• Eastman’s second US PET recycling plant to cost less; uncertainty about French project
  HOUSTON (ICIS)--Eastman’s second US polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plant, to be built at Longview, Texas, will cost much less than the first plant the company started up at its production site ... read more
• Europe toluene November contract price assessed at a decrease
  LONDON (ICIS)--The Europe toluene November contract price has been assessed at a decrease of $30/tonne, or around 3.5%, from October. With contract parties having confirmed neither settlement nor ... read more
• EVENING SNAPSHOT – Europe Markets Summary
  CRUDE: Up for third day in a row on Middle East tensions NAPHTHA: Higher on rebound in upstream pricing BENZENE: Gains with crude in muted market STYRENE: Bids increase; no ... read more
• Europe ethylene oxide contract prices in November grow on feedstock pressures
  LONDON (ICIS)--European ethylene oxide (EO) November prices rose on the back of higher ethylene prices. The European ethylene contract reference price for November has been set at €1,212.50/tonne, ... read more
• French power discount could widen should RTE's capacity constraints continue
  French power spot prices will likely deliver below the German equivalent should RTE keep restriction on the eastern border Strong supply and abundant power within the country will continue to ... read more
• Financing extended for Azoty’s unfinished PDH-PD project till end Nov
  LONDON (ICIS)--Poland’s financially troubled Grupa Azoty said late on Thursday that it has agreed with 15 financial institutions to extend financing for its yet-to-be-commercially-launched propane ... read more
• Plant status: Vynova VCM restart in Belgium delayed following maintenance
  LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Vynova Location: Tessenderlo, Belgium Product: Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) Capacity (tonnes/year): 740,000 Event start: Unknown Event finish: In ... read more
• Europe feedstocks and petrochemicals weekly summary
  LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a summary of major feedstocks and petrochemicals in Europe for the week ended 1 November. Crude: Prices shed value on hopes of easing tensions in the Middle ... read more
• Europe MPG spot prices hold steady despite rising feedstock costs
  LONDON (ICIS)--European propylene glycols (PG) spot prices held steady this week despite feedstock gains as limited activity took place towards the end of the month and public holidays drew players ... read more
• Europe R-HDPE October prices roll over amid talk of negative margins
  LONDON (ICIS)--Europe recycled high density polyethylene (R-HDPE) prices have rolled over in October, although the market remains sharply divided by end-use market and location. Non-packaging demand ... read more
• Moldovan spot gas trading rises as Romanian imports reach record levels
  Trading activity on new Moldovan spot platform builds up Romanian gas imports rise as price spreads attractive Resumption of Russian gas imports to Right Bank may destroy market, traders LONDON ... read more
• WEEKLY POWER OUTLOOK: Low wind to support European power prices through week 45
  LONDON (ICIS)-- Weak wind power generation across Europe is likely to add bullish sentiment to spot prices through week 45. Data from meteorologist MetDesk shows forecasts of well below average ... read more
• Chemical Profile: Turkey polypropylene
  Uses Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products, with applications in packaging, fibers and automotive parts. In Turkey, PP fibre is ... read more
• JBF Belgium and JBF Bahrain complete financial restructuring
  LONDON (ICIS)--JBF Global Europe (JBF Belgium) and JBF Bahrain have completed their financial restructuring. "Both entities will be well capitalised, with enhanced governance, new leadership and new ... read more
• Europe melamine October contracts increase on production cost pressure
  LONDON (ICIS)--European melamine October contract prices have been assessed at double-digit increases, depending on starting point and account. The market remains challenged by higher production ... read more
• Gas prices remain volatile as Ukraine gas transit talks ongoing
  Hungarian, Slovak sources in discussion over transit but no agreement reached Gas prices volatile amid market uncertainty over outcome Ukrainian gas transmission tariffs expected to be published ... read more
• SPE Launches Injection Molding Competition
  The awards program will honor achievements in design, manufacturing, and applications involving the injection molding process by plastics professionals and students. ... read more
• Elmet Slims Down LSR Dosing System Without Compromising Precision or Performance
  The new TOP 3100 LSR dosing system was front and center at Elmet’s stand at Fakuma. ... read more
• EMS-Grivory auf der Fakuma 2024: Transparente Hochleistungskunststoffe für medizinische Anwendungen
  EMS-Grivory stellt auf der Fakuma seine Hochleistungspolyamide wie Grilamid L (PA12), Grilamid TR (transparente PA) oder Grivory GV (partiell aromatische hochsteife und feste PA) vor. Sie eignen sich aufgrund ihrer ... read more
• Paper or Plastic? At Fakuma, One Answer, Surprisingly, Is Paper
  Paper “pearls” replace plastic pellets in a novel injection molding application on the Arburg stand. ... read more
• Ohmium International to develop solutions for offshore green hydrogen, ammonia project
  HOUSTON (ICIS)--Green hydrogen company Ohmium International, a green hydrogen company announced it has signed a term sheet with renewable energy joint venture SwitcH2 BV to develop electrolyzer ... read more
• Europe PS October contract prices fall triple digits, distribution prices also assessed
  LONDON (ICIS)--Contract prices for October have decreased between €180-200/tonne, at a midpoint decrease of €190/tonne, in the Europe polystyrene (PS) market, mainly driven by the €202/tonne ... read more
• Europe EPS October contract prices fall triple digits, driven by styrene
  LONDON (ICIS)--October contract prices have decreased between €180-200/tonne, a midpoint decrease of €190/tonne, in the Europe expandable polystyrene (EPS) market - mainly driven by the ... read more
• Europe ABS October contract prices fall triple digits
  LONDON (ICIS)--Contract prices have finalized between €120-140/tonne, a mid-point decrease of €130/tonne, in the European acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) market, mainly driven by upstream ... read more
• CRUDE SUMMARY: Bearish outlook for China pushed oil to 18-day low
  China’s GDP falls for Q3 as country misses its 5% target Hamas leader killed increasing prospects of war escalation US oil rigs increased by one to 482 - Baker Hughes ... read more
• Germany residential construction declines, rate cuts have yet to help
  LONDON (ICIS)--Despite a housing crisis in many of its cities, Germany’s new residential housing continues to decline. Permits fall Building decline hurts economy Benefits from interest rate cuts ... read more
• Transatlantic west spot chemical tanker shipping freight rates weaken
  LONDON (ICIS)--Chemical tanker spot freight rates on transatlantic westbound routes softened for all cargo sizes in the week ending 18 October compared with the previous week, based on market ... read more