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

In the Spotlight

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 under the name OlinHuntsman. Under the terms of the share exchange, existing Olin shareholders are to... (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... (06:00)

PPWR

Commission tightens regulation guidance ahead of August deadline

— By PIE staff — In a document released recently, the European Commission seems to have sharpened its guidance on the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation without changing the core rules. Brussels has now spelled out how the regulation should work in practice from 12 August 2026, leaving... (06:00)

TURKEY

SUP ban on the table / Industry warns against green push, holds EU competitiveness up as warning / Industrial output stagnant for 24 months

— By Vladislav Vorotnikov — Turkey’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change has drafted a regulation banning a range of single-use plastic items, despite warnings from industry representatives that green initiatives could trigger a contraction in output and a decline in exports. Under the... (16.06.2026)

FOOD PACKAGING

UN warns of chemical migration risks from recycled plastics used in food packaging / Calls for harmonised global standards to ensure consumer safety

— By Elaine Burridge — Food contact materials made with recycled plastics and FCMs produced using biobased materials can have significant safety implications that must be addressed, according to a May 2026 report by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. While the growing use of recycled plastics in... (16.06.2026)

LYONDELLBASELL

Last PP production facility in Brindisi to shut at end of year / Next crisis meeting to take place in July

— By PIE staff — Unsurprisingly, plastics manufacturer LyondellBasell has announced the closure of its remaining polypropylene plant in Brindisi, Italy, by the end of 2026. The closure of the line, which has a capacity of 260,000 t/y, seems logical following site operator Versalis’s shutdown of the cracker... (16.06.2026)

POLYMER PRICE FORECASTS

Naphtha weakness amplifies correction

— By PIE staff — We expect a more pronounced correction in July than previously anticipated, with the noticeable easing on the raw material side serving as the primary driver. Declines in naphtha prices significantly reduce the cost burden for European steam crackers and increase pressure on olefin... (15.06.2026)

Plastic Fantastic

The real World Cup winnings — By PIE staff — Just like the real thing, it stands 36 cm tall – but this time as a 2,842-piece ABS self-assembly kit: the latest cash cow in the world of football. Any would-be champions ... (12.06.2026)

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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.

To the topic page...

Latest News

KEM ONE Arini, Monarch acquire French PVC manufacturer / Debt reduced substantially / Plants retained	13:50
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	11:51
PIE SPOT PRICE MONITOR Prices on downward spiral in Europe / Further falls expected in coming weeks	06:00
PLASTICS RECYCLING GERMANY 'Recyclates must be more than just a stopgap solution in times of crisis,' Bvse warns / Industry gathers for International Waste Plastics Day	06:00
RIFRA Italian masterbatch manufacturer acquires compatriot Teknomast	06:00
TORAY Japanese chemical major adds PPS compounding in India / Group sees growth potential for local production	06:00
VYNOVA PVC producer plans to restart Dutch production in Beek	16.06.2026
POLYMER PRICES Standard thermoplastics trend June: Polyolefin prices fall significantly / Styrenics see greater stability	15.06.2026
UPDATE - VERSALIS Fire in Italy destroys styrenics warehouse / No damage to production facilities reported	15.06.2026

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Price Reports and Announcements

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	11:51
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
POLYMER PRICES Composites/GRP May: No end to upward trend for resins in sight / Low-priced imports keep some glass fibre prices unchanged / No stimuli from application markets	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
LOGISTICS Even with war in Iran and Strait of Hormuz blockade, container shipping is more punctual than ever	05.06.2026
PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS MOL extends force majeure in Hungary to all grades of PE and PP	09.06.2026
UPDATE - VERSALIS Fire in Italy destroys styrenics warehouse / No damage to production facilities reported	15.06.2026
POLYPROPYLENE Indonesia plans to impose anti-dumping duties on PP homopolymers from Asia and Middle East / More imports to Europe possible	09.06.2026
AROMATIC COPOLYESTERS EU Commission opens anti-dumping probe into Chinese imports	05.06.2026
LYONDELLBASELL Last PP production facility in Brindisi to shut at end of year / Next crisis meeting to take place in July	16.06.2026