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

In the Spotlight

PIE's latest webinar flags fresh supply-chain risks arising from the Middle East conflict

— By PIE staff — PIE’s 31 March webinar, Iran War & The Plastics Crisis, underlined how the conflict in the Middle East is adding another layer of uncertainty to Europe’s plastics and chemicals value chain. Speaker Dimitrios Koranis, industry expert and managing director of Koranis Purchasing Solutions, said any disruption to energy, feedstock and shipping routes could quickly feed through to costs,... (08.04.2026)

ENERGY PRICES

Electricity trend March: Electricity being held hostage by gas prices / Geopolitical risk premiums on the rise

— By Dimitrios Koranis — In many European countries, the market for electricity is very closely intertwined with the market for oil and gas. The generation of electricity with natural gas accounts for as much as 40% or 45% in some cases – in Italy, for example – which has physical and price-related knock-on... (06:00)

BOROUGE

Production facilities shut after rocket debris strikes

— By PIE staff — After debris from an intercepted Iranian rocket struck the Borouge plant site in Ruwais, UAE, production there appears to have come to a standstill – at least in part. An official statement from the company states that the “affected plant areas” have been shut down. Borouge did not provide... (07.04.2026)

ABS IMPORTS

War in the Middle East chokes off imports from East Asia / Prices skyrocket / Supply bottlenecks loom over next few months

— By PIE staff — The war in the Middle East has triggered massive distortions in international supply flows. This is affecting not only the availability of energy sources such as oil and gas, but also that of plastics and other petrochemical products. The problem: an estimated 2,500 ships have been stuck in... (07.04.2026)

ENERGY PRICES

Gas trend March: The strait of a few kilometres has plunged the world into chaos / Supply shock dictates markets

— By Dimitrios Koranis — The supply shock that emerged in early March, caused by the military escalation between the US/Israel and Iran, and the resulting de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, has had a massive impact on energy markets in Europe. This has significantly restricted the transport of a... (07.04.2026)

LOGISTICS

Apparent blockade: China, Russia, and one Greek shipowner move vessels through the Strait of Hormuz / Iran levies transit fees

— By PIE staff — How completely blocked is the Strait of Hormuz? That depends, say market observers. Most reputable shipping companies are currently avoiding the passage through the high-risk zone, unwilling to endanger their vessels, crews, or cargo. As a result, several hundred container ships and tankers... (02.04.2026)

DOMO CAPROLEUNA

Rescue plan underway for polyamide producer / Company to operate under new name, Leuna-Polyamid

— By PIE staff — Insolvent Domo Caproleuna in Leuna, Germany, is being acquired by a consortium founded by site operator InfraLeuna and epoxy resin manufacturer Leuna-Harze. The subsidiary of polyamide producer Domo Chemicals will in future operate under the name Leuna-Polyamid. Martin Naundorf,... (01.04.2026)

Plastic Fantastic

Googly Eyes, Part 2: Convicted Down Unda — By Andru Shively — We previously reported on one US city’s pretty-please pleas urging citizens to stop sticking googly eyes onto works of public art. Down under in Australia, the only ... (27.03.2026)

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Spot Price Monitor

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

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Price table of all feedstocks and polymers with weekly reference prices
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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

ITALY Packaging: Recycling quota likely to drop to 75%	06:00
UK RECYCLING Over 50 councils miss prep deadline for Simpler Recycling system / Biggest recycling policy shake up in 20 years – Wrap	06:00
JILIN JOINATURE POLYMER K.D. Feddersen takes over PEEK sales in Europe	06:00
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
LEUNA-POLYAMID German state spends tens of millions to rescue Domo Caproleuna / Financial situation remains tense / Sister company still seeking investors	07.04.2026
TRINSEO Prices for PS, ABS, SAN surge higher	02.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Styrenics March: Price hikes to date just a taste of what is to come / Significantly steeper increases expected in April	02.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Engineering thermoplastics March: Prices rise sharply with triple-digit hikes / Converters prioritise volumes over price / Hybrid contract models emerge	02.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Propylene April: Margins soar	02.04.2026

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Price Reports and Announcements

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
TRINSEO Prices for PS, ABS, SAN surge higher	02.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Styrenics March: Price hikes to date just a taste of what is to come / Significantly steeper increases expected in April	02.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Engineering thermoplastics March: Prices rise sharply with triple-digit hikes / Converters prioritise volumes over price / Hybrid contract models emerge	02.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Propylene April: Margins soar	02.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Feedstocks March/April	02.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Composites/GRP March: Significant increase in monthly contracts / Individual specialities no longer available / Massive hike for styrene sets tone for April	02.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Styrene April: Middle East war causes major surge / Supply at risk	01.04.2026
POLYMER PRICES Polyethylene March: Massive price hikes in wake of Iran war / Supply situation intensifies amid lower utilisation rates, desperate attempts to build stocks / Catastrophic prospects for April	01.04.2026
TRINSEO Further price hike for PMMA products	01.04.2026

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Readers' Choice

PLASTICS PROCESSING GERMANY Price hikes hit nearly all firms / Companies rarely able to pass on costs / Flood of force majeure declaration – GKV survey	26.03.2026
BOROUGE Production facilities shut after rocket debris strikes	07.04.2026
PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS Polyolefins: Orlen Unipetrol declares force majeure / Reports suggest cracker and refinery in Litvinov also offline	01.04.2026
LOGISTICS Apparent blockade: China, Russia, and one Greek shipowner move vessels through the Strait of Hormuz / Iran levies transit fees	02.04.2026
PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS ABS: Ineos Styrolution declares force majeure for several Novodur grades	26.03.2026
ABS IMPORTS War in the Middle East chokes off imports from East Asia / Prices skyrocket / Supply bottlenecks loom over next few months	07.04.2026
LOGISTICS Container freight rates remain subdued / Fuel for ships and aircrafts running short	27.03.2026
PIE INDUSTRY TALK Iran conflict puts plastics supply at risk / PIE to host live webinar on 31 March	27.03.2026