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

In the Spotlight

Further 3,200 jobs to be slashed / Polyester resin operations to be shuttered / German plant to close in 2027

— By PIE staff — The downsizing process at Evonik continues: the speciality chemicals group plans to cut a further 3,200 jobs by the end of 2029. PIE learnt on enquiry that this figure is in addition to the 2,000 job cuts announced in 2023, which are to be cut in administration by the end of this year. CEO Christian Kullmann cited the uncertain global political situation and persistently weak economic... (19.06.2026)

PLAST 2026

Italian plastics industry calls for competitiveness as recycling crisis deepens

— By Brie Casazza — Despite concerns that escalating geopolitical tensions would weigh on attendance, from 9 to 12 June, Plast 2026 welcomed around 45,000 visitors and 1,200 exhibitors, underlining the resilience of the plastics industry and its continued willingness to invest in the future. More than... (06:00)

AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING

EU Parliament approves ELVR targets / Legislation introduces EPR for automakers

— By PIE correspondent — With 437 votes in favour, 112 against, and 20 abstentions, the European Parliament this week voted substantially in favour of new circularity rules governing how a motor vehicle is designed and how it is treated once its useful life has come to an end. The new rules require that all... (18.06.2026)

IRAN WAR

Leaders approve deal to end conflict / 60-day period for more talks underway / US warns it will restart blockade if needed

— By Eric Culp — US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed an agreement to end the war in the Persian Gulf, but multiple questions about its implementation remain, and both sides said the pact was not a final treaty. The two leaders made the deal official two days before... (18.06.2026)

PPWR

German Bundestag passes implementing regulation / Starting point for eco-modulation / First recognition for chemical recycling / EU approvals required for recycling technologies

— By PIE staff — On 11 June 2026, the German Bundestag passed the new packaging implementation act. MPs did not simply accept the government’s draft, which had recently also prompted questions from Brussels. Instead, new provisions were included to make it possible to offer financial incentives for... (18.06.2026)

OLINHUNTSMAN

Olin, Huntsman to form USD 12.5 bn chemicals giant / Deal links chlor-alkali, PVC, PU businesses

— By PIE staff — The two US chemical groups Huntsman and Olin, which are of roughly equal size in terms of revenue, are planning to merge. The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to be completed by mid-2027. The new combined group is to operate... (17.06.2026)

EU-US TRADE

European Parliament approves trade deal with US / Zero tariffs to be levied on US imports

— By PIE staff — As expected, the European Parliament approved the trade agreement between the US and the EU on 16 June. In doing so, MEPs in Brussels brought to an end months of uncertainty between Brussels and Washington, during which both sides had repeatedly levelled new accusations and demands at one... (17.06.2026)

Plastic Fantastic

Beat the heat at the World Cup with single-use plastics — By Andru Shively — We’re now a week into the 23rd FIFA World Cup and the heat is literally on. Fans in host cities Miami or Houston, for example, have already experienced temps of ... (19.06.2026)

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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

WESTLAKE Febo takes over PE distribution in Italy, Greece	06:00
PLASTIC FANTASTIC Beat the heat at the World Cup with single-use plastics	06:00
LOGISTICS US, Iran sign ceasefire deal / Strait of Hormuz opens for 60 days / Shipping companies remain cautiously optimistic	18.06.2026
POLYMER PRICES Engineering recyclate June: Demand, prices fall significantly / Material abundantly available / Early start to summer slowdown	18.06.2026
MOL Hungarian chemical group's acquisition of Serbian NIS reportedly nears completion	18.06.2026
COVERIS Expansion of CPP film capacity through acquisition of Gefo	18.06.2026
KEM ONE Arini, Monarch acquire French PVC manufacturer / Debt reduced substantially / Plants retained	17.06.2026
POLYMER PRICES Standard recyclate June: High sales volumes juxtapose low sales prices / No boom in demand expected for summer / Imports of virgin material put pressure on recyclate market	17.06.2026
PIE SPOT PRICE MONITOR Prices on downward spiral in Europe / Further falls expected in coming weeks	17.06.2026

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Price Reports and Announcements

POLYMER PRICES Engineering recyclate June: Demand, prices fall significantly / Material abundantly available / Early start to summer slowdown	18.06.2026
POLYMER PRICES Standard recyclate June: High sales volumes juxtapose low sales prices / No boom in demand expected for summer / Imports of virgin material put pressure on recyclate market	17.06.2026
PIE SPOT PRICE MONITOR Prices on downward spiral in Europe / Further falls expected in coming weeks	17.06.2026
POLYMER PRICES Standard thermoplastics trend June: Polyolefin prices fall significantly / Styrenics see greater stability	15.06.2026
POLYMER PRICE FORECASTS Naphtha weakness amplifies correction	15.06.2026
POLYMER PRICES China engineering thermoplastics May: Prices lower across the board / Weak demand, falling feedstock costs exert pressure / Further decline expected amid off-season	10.06.2026
POLYMER PRICES North America May: Polymer markets calm down / Demand remains subdued, feedstocks volatile / Plans to push through increases in June encounter cautious buyers	10.06.2026
POLYMER PRICES China standard thermoplastics May: Most prices trend lower on weak demand / Further decreases expected in June / Market returns to pricing based on fundamentals	08.06.2026
POLYMER PRICES Paraxylene May: Surprising rise in price	03.06.2026
POLYMER PRICES Engineering thermoplastics May: Prices move in different directions / Calls for significant increases plus weak demand mostly limit price rises / Further slowdown expected in June	03.06.2026

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Readers' Choice

LOGISTICS Freight rates skyrocket on Trump's threat of new import tariffs / Rush for available transport capacity begins	12.06.2026
DOW CHEMICAL Chemicals giant begins cutting 4,500 jobs globally / In Netherlands alone, 605 employees to be made redundant	09.06.2026
UPDATE - VERSALIS Fire in Italy destroys styrenics warehouse / No damage to production facilities reported	15.06.2026
PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS MOL extends force majeure in Hungary to all grades of PE and PP	09.06.2026
POLYPROPYLENE Indonesia plans to impose anti-dumping duties on PP homopolymers from Asia and Middle East / More imports to Europe possible	09.06.2026
EU-US TRADE European Parliament approves trade deal with US / Zero tariffs to be levied on US imports	17.06.2026
LYONDELLBASELL Last PP production facility in Brindisi to shut at end of year / Next crisis meeting to take place in July	16.06.2026
PPWR Commission tightens regulation guidance ahead of August deadline	17.06.2026