Plastics Information Europe - up-to-date and reliable information about the plastics industry

In the Spotlight

Administrative burden drains resources needed for development / CEP study points to consolidation amid volume growth

— By Vladislav Vorotnikov — Spain’s plastics industry is steadily losing competitiveness, leaving it increasingly vulnerable to global instability, such as the ongoing conflict in Iran, said Isabel Goyena, director general of the Spanish association of industrial plastics ANAIP. Over the past two decades, the global weight of Europe’s plastics industry has been shrinking, and new and far-reaching... (22.04.2026)

PLASTICS MACHINERY

US lowers import tariffs, simplifies regulations / PIE interview with VDMA expert Mikula Thiem

— By PIE staff — At present, nothing is as constant as change in US trade policy. President Donald Trump recently revised import regulations once again and, among other measures, tightened import tariffs on steel. Since 6 April 2026, machinery manufacturers exporting to the US no longer have to calculate... (06:00)

WASTE LEGISLATION

EU Commission calls for rapid switch to digital shipment documentation / Industry says longer transition needed / Questions about DIWASS-readiness

— By Dede Williams — After months of discussion and preparation, new rules requiring exclusively digital management of plastics and other waste exports outside the EU are now due to be in place by next month. At a late-March meeting, the European Commission announced that registration for the fledgling... (21.04.2026)

PLASTIC MANUFACTURING GROUP

Two plants of the automotive supplier set to be acquired as third faces closure / Nearly 400 jobs to be lost

— By PIE staff — Key parts of insolvent automotive supplier Plastic Manufacturing Group are set to be rescued, with a strategic investor agreeing to acquire the Diepersdorf and Lüdenscheid sites in Germany. The agreement was announced by insolvency administrator Volker Böhm of law firm Schultze & Braun... (21.04.2026)

IRAN WAR

EU inflation spikes / Prices to continue climb, growth to slow / Rise in UK GDP likely over

— By Eric Culp — Consumer prices jumped last month in the European Union and euro area, and experts said the fighting in the Middle East will push costs even higher as it reduces economic expansion in Europe. EU inflation surged to an annual rate of 2.8% last month, which was up from 2.1% in February,... (20.04.2026)

FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

PE films in Europe significantly more expensive / Further price rises expected amid Middle East conflict

— By PIE staff — Prices for flexible packaging materials increased almost across the board in the first quarter of 2026 compared with Q4 2025. According to industry association Flexible Packaging Europe, LDPE films recorded the sharpest rise, up 16%, followed by HDPE films at 12%. BOPA grades increased... (20.04.2026)

PORTUGAL

Launch of national deposit return system for beverage packaging

— By PIE staff — As previously reported, Portugal has now become the 19th country in Europe to introduce a nationwide deposit return system for beverage packaging. The scheme, operated under the name “Volta”, is managed by state-licensed organisation SDR Portugal. Since 10 April, retailers have been... (20.04.2026)

Plastic Fantastic

Former Canadian PM Trudeau forgets his anti-plastics principles — By Dede Williams — Practice what you preach and don’t forget what you once stood for, even when out of office and in the aura of a pop star. That’s advice a former Canadian prime ... (17.04.2026)

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Capacity database

Up-to-date online database
Products: Monomers and polymers
Capacities: Present and future
Availabilities: present, planned and historical
Future plans: new facilities, forecasts, growth rates, etc.
Producers: Product portfolio, activities, co-operations, joint ventures, etc.

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Spot Price Monitor

Weekly updated spot prices
The pricing of feedstocks, PE and PP spot material in Europe is becoming increasingly important for the market.

We offer:

Price table of all feedstocks and polymers with weekly reference prices
Detail page incl. information on change, range of precursor price, price trend, overview chart, etc.

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PDS – Price Delivery Solution

With the Price Delivery Solution (PDS), we offer an automatic API-supported solution for the delivery of over 170 trade types.

Individual price information directly via the API link
Modular pricing
Low costs

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Middle East Conflict

The Iran war and its consequences for the plastics industry

Tensions in the Middle East have reached a new peak: following the recent attacks by Israel and the US on Iran, the geopolitical situation continues to escalate. Energy prices, raw material availability and logistics flows are sensitive to the escalation in this key region.

PIE – Plastics Information Europe analyses the scenarios that are now conceivable and how they could affect energy and raw material markets, supply chains and competitive structures in Europe.

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Latest News

SADARA Production in Saudi Arabia shut down / TDI volumes lacking in Europe / Losses for owners Dow and Aramco likely	06:00
FIP 2026 Trade fair in Lyon to showcase plastics innovation and circular economy focus in France	06:00
CHINAPLAS Plastics trade fair opens its doors in Shanghai / KI.PIE Group on site	21.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Engineering recyclate April: Prices surge / Securing material takes priority over price / Further increases expected in May	21.04.2026
ADNOC XRG chief Rainer Seele sees market potential for speciality chemicals in Europe / Further acquisitions planned	21.04.2026
POLYURETHANE FOAM Fraunhofer Institute partners with Covestro to build pyrolysis pilot plant / Capacity of 2,000 t/y for high-purity aniline planned	21.04.2026
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY GERMANY National Chemicals Agenda aims to help industry back on its feet / Much remains unclear / Associations voice criticism	21.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Standard recyclate April: Rising prices for virgin material are prompting processors to turn to recyclates / Prices catch up with primary material / Upward trend continues	20.04.2026
REPSOL Spanish petchem giant to resume oil operations in Venezuela / Plans to triple production in three years	20.04.2026

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Price Reports and Announcements

POLYMER PRICES Engineering recyclate April: Prices surge / Securing material takes priority over price / Further increases expected in May	21.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Standard recyclate April: Rising prices for virgin material are prompting processors to turn to recyclates / Prices catch up with primary material / Upward trend continues	20.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES China engineering thermoplastics March: Prices rise sharply / Higher feedstock costs driven by skyrocketing crude / Quotations rise further as Middle East conflict continues	17.04.2026
POLYMER PRICE FORECASTS Raw materials, intermediates continue upward trend	16.04.2026
AOC Third price increase since March / Interplastic follows suit	15.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Standard thermoplastics trend April: Greater hikes than ever before / Disruption due to Middle East war causes prices to surge	15.04.2026
PIE SPOT PRICE MONITOR Price surges in Europe of 75% or more are beyond anticipation / Rise likely to continue	15.04.2026
INEOS STYROLUTION Substantial price increases for ABS and other styrene copolymers	14.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES China standard thermoplastics March: Prices skyrocket amid Middle East conflict / Producers lower output over feedstock supply concerns / Quotations seen rising further as crisis continues	13.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES North America March: Soaring feedstock costs drive prices significantly higher / Export demand supports polyolefins / Further (substantial) price increases from producers likely in April, with improved margins	07.04.2026

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Readers' Choice

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS Polyolefins: MOL announces restrictions on all products	14.04.2026
LOGISTICS 'Ceasefire' in Iran conflict sends oil prices tumbling / Tensions also expected to ease in polymers market	09.04.2026
PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS LDPE: TotalEnergies declares force majeure for supplies from France	14.04.2026
LOGISTICS Shipping companies under pressure / Mutual blockade of Strait of Hormuz drives diesel prices even higher	16.04.2026
IRAN WAR EU inflation spikes / Prices to continue climb, growth to slow / Rise in UK GDP likely over	20.04.2026
IRAN WAR UK shops report material shortages, higher costs – BPF survey / Outlook grim	09.04.2026
PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS Vynova declares force majeure on PVC from France and Germany	13.04.2026
FORCE MAJEURE Does the Iran war justify delivery halts and massive price increases? / PIE interviews lawyer Christian Lührmann	10.04.2026