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In the Spotlight
DOW CHEMICAL
US group to review closure of cracker in Germany and other activities in Europe
— By PIE staff — When presenting its financial figures for the first quarter of 2025, Dow Chemical announced that it would be reviewing further activities, particularly in Europe. The cost-intensive cracker at the German site in Böhlen and the chlor-alkali business in nearby Schkopau, which is supplied... (25.04.2025)
LOGISTICS
Trump's punitive tariffs send containers sailing empty across world's oceans
— By PIE staff — The good news first: cargo ships are still travelling on their route between China and the US. The bad news: as you approach the giants on the high seas, you can hear the hollow rattling in their bellies. Many of the containers on board are being sailed across the ocean empty, because... (25.04.2025)
GERMAN ECONOMY
Business climate improves slightly despite trade dispute / Manufacturing industry, plastics pessimistic again – Ifo Institute
— By PIE staff — In April 2025, the Ifo Institute’s business climate index rose slightly once again. The business confidence barometer for Germany’s economy rose by 0.2 points to 86.9 points. Companies assessed their current economic situation as slightly improved, but expectations deteriorated slightly,... (25.04.2025)
EUROPEAN CAR MARKET
EU registrations ease in Q1 and March / EVs lead in market share / Washington sends more mixed signals on sector tariffs
— By Eric Culp — EU new car sales declined last quarter and last month, with European automobile manufacturers’ association ACEA noting: “The global economic context remains particularly challenging and unpredictable for automakers.”As if on cue, the UK business daily Financial Times reported Wednesday... (25.04.2025)
TOTALENERGIES
Plans to shutter cracker at Antwerp / Major ethylene customer allows contract to expire
— By PIE staff — A changing market environment in petrochemicals and numerous overcapacities are the reasons given by French company TotalEnergies for its recently published plans to completely shut down naphtha cracker NC2 at Antwerp, Belgium, by the end of 2027. A total of 253 employees are expected to... (24.04.2025)
NEWS FROM KI GROUP
K-Profi: Editor-in-Chief Markus Lüling and team celebrate 100th issue of magazine / Interview to mark anniversary
— By PIE staff — Thirteen years ago, in the late summer of 2012, PIE’s sister publication K-Profi saw the light of day. Now the 100th issue of the publication, which aims to provide “impulses for plastics processors”, has been published. We used the anniversary to catch up with the founder and... (24.04.2025)
Latest News
IRELAND
Country celebrates one year of DRS with billion returned containers
 		06:00
MEDICAL PACKAGING
Aimplas-VinylPlus study confirms recyclability of flexible PVC
 		06:00
NOVARES
French automotive supplier acquired by US group
 		25.04.2025
NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS
Japanese glass fibre producer puts remaining UK plant under ‘strategic review'
 		25.04.2025
POLYTEC
Automotive supplier aims to be out of red in 2025 / Reduction in deficit reported
 		25.04.2025
POLYMER PRICES
Butadiene May: Naphtha deduction drives price down
 		25.04.2025
BOSCH
Power Tools division to shutter two plants in Germany / Over 500 employees affected
 		25.04.2025
PLASTIC FANTASTIC
A whale of a problem
 		25.04.2025
ELOPAK
Packaging manufacturer reports higher sales, lower profits / Focus on paper fibre-based solutions
 		24.04.2025
More...
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Price Reports and Announcements
POLYMER PRICES
Butadiene May: Naphtha deduction drives price down
 		25.04.2025
POLYMER PRICES
Polyurethane feedstocks April: Prices between rollover and small uptick / Demand remains weak / US punitive tariffs drive exports from Asia to Europe
 		23.04.2025
KURARAY
Significant markups for PVOH materials
 		22.04.2025
POLYMER PRICES
Engineering recyclate April: Demand hobbles along like a wounded animal / Prices surprisingly stable
 		17.04.2025
POLYMER PRICES
Standard recyclate April: Demand increases slightly but no sign of a turnaround / Recyclers still under strong cost pressure / Small boom in PET market
 		16.04.2025
POLYMER PRICES
China engineering thermoplastics March: Prices drop across the board / Feedstock costs follow crude lower / April quotations seen trending stable to down
 		15.04.2025
PIE SPOT PRICE MONITOR
Quotations move back down / Uncertainty exerts downward pressure
 		15.04.2025
POLYMER PRICES
Standard thermoplastics trend April: Tariff disputes hinder early agreements for polyethylene / Declining costs put pressure on prices for PP, PS, EPS
 		14.04.2025
POLYMER PRICE FORECASTS
PIE extends forecast horizon for polymer prices to six months
 		14.04.2025
RÖHM
Trade wars trigger price hikes for PMMA moulding compounds
 		10.04.2025
More Price Reports...
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Readers' Choice
ASCEND
PA producer files for bankruptcy protection / Supply agreements will be met, says CEO
 		22.04.2025
LOGISTICS
Low water puts strain on inland shipping / Transport from China to US, Northern Europe becomes more expensive
 		17.04.2025
LOGISTICS
Trump's punitive tariffs send containers sailing empty across world's oceans
 		25.04.2025
PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS
Ineos declares force majeure for PVC from France
 		17.04.2025
TOTALENERGIES
Plans to shutter cracker at Antwerp / Major ethylene customer allows contract to expire
 		24.04.2025
TRADE WAR
US reciprocal tariff policy to reshape Sino-US chemical trade / Heavy interdependence with ethane, propane / Price advantage of Chinese products at risk
 		17.04.2025
US-INDIA TRADE
India set to continue bilateral trade agreement talks / Tariffs could impact only 0.1% of Indian GDP – experts / Pharma, textile industries to be hardest hit
 		16.04.2025
EDITORIAL
Silence is agreement: Why the plastics industry should speak up
 		22.04.2025
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Date of print: 28/04/2025
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