Polymer Prices Standard Thermoplastics

Polyethylene November 2017: Price cuts dominate despite stable costs / Stock reductions, imports and problem-free production lines / Ethylene reference higher in December / Rollover nevertheless probable

Polypropylene November 2017: Inventory drawdown rebates stimulate demand as intended / Cost pass-through may put upward pressure on December notations

Styrenics November 2017: Prices yielding again / PS and ABS follow cost trend / Market tightness allows EPS suppliers to improve margins / Prices trending up in December

PVC November 2017: Strikingly good demand keeps prices stable / Rollovers predominate / Margin expansions halted / Exceptional purchasing activity in December too / Slight upward movement possible

Standard Thermoplastics Trend November 2017: General price reductions as expected / Trend to continue / Demand already beginning to ease / Converters will try to reverse producers' margin increases

Polypropylene October 2017: Price rises reflect cost pass-through / Copo increases more modest / Notations will trend sideways in November

Styrenics October 2017: SM correction drags down prices / PS and ABS largely follow cost reduction / EPS suppliers benefit from market tightness / Further discounts expected for November

Polyethylene October 2017: Most producers factor in no more than ethylene cost increase / Improved supply has dampening effect on prices / C4 film grades still tight / Building season draws to an end / Buyers likely to hold back in November

PVC October 2017: Price rises restricted to cost increases / Demand slowing / Rigid compounds the exception / Additives the driving force / November set for stability

Standard Thermoplastics Trend October 2017: Polyolefins producers find it difficult to improve margins / Costs are factored in for the most part / Demand subdued / Little fresh impetus on horizon

Polyethylene September 2017: Many producers push through margin increases / US hurricane and transport problems in Germany's Rhine Valley result in supply restrictions / Trends expected to weaken slightly in October

Polypropylene September 2017: Hikes only slightly above cost increase / Hurricane consequences proving not severe / Buying restraint / Similar trends lined up for October

Styrenics September 2017: Skyrocketing styrene costs trigger three-digit premiums / Still largely strong demand / EPS supply running short / Price correction expected in October

PVC September 2017: Passing on costs is the norm / Disproportionate rise in rigid blends due to additives / Flexible compounds benefit from easing of short plasticiser supply / Trends continuing

Standard Thermoplastics Trend September 2017: Prices rise on a broad front / Producers pass on their increased costs / Biggest rises with PS and EPS / Demand picks up significantly after holiday season

Polypropylene August 2017: Rollover dominates / Some very low prices pulled upward / Palpable price hikes likely in September / Rising costs and extreme tightness in North America

Styrenics August 2017: Only minor price changes / Slight reductions on PS and ABS and slight premiums on EPS due to supply tightness / Sharp price increase on all materials in September

Polyethylene August 2017: Notations oscillate around a rollover / Pipe grades fall slightly / Considerable turbulence probable in September / Increase in reference price rendered insignificant by catastrophic storm in US

PVC August 2017: Stability predominated during this quiet holiday month / September could prove to be turbulent / Impact of catastrophe in Houston should provide a boost

Standard Thermoplastics Trend August 2017: Summer slump prevails despite slight upward trend in some niche markets / No significant movements expected for this month

Polypropylene July 2017: Prices follow reference / Producers stop margin erosion / Bottoming-out lures buyers / August may see stability / Compounder bucks consensus

Polyethylene July 2017: Cost reduction gives indication of the size of price cuts / Stabilisation over the month / Supply becomes tighter / Demand consistently strong / Consolidation probable in August

PVC July 2017: Cost reductions generally passed on / Titanium dioxide appears over the worst / Ongoing scarcity of plasticisers / PVC pastes still faring well / August notations tending sideways

Styrenics July 2017: Further premiums on PS and EPS / Butadiene's sharp drop puts pressure on ABS notations / Availability often limited despite holiday season / Slight reductions foreseeable in August

Standard Thermoplastics Trend July 2017: Situation dictated by feedstock costs / Polyolefins price cuts / Order stops aim to put the brakes on / Styrenics rise / Building materials boosted by strong demand