Polymer Prices Standard Thermoplastics

Styrenics January 2017: Steep climb continues as SM drives / Most of cost rise passed on in direct deals / Rally gathers momentum / Historic highs likely for PS and ABS in February

Polypropylene January 2017: European producers fail to improve margins as costs cannot be passed on / Demand expected to rise in February / Prices on the way up

Polyethylene January 2017: Most producers pass on their higher costs / Demand still slow / Winter lull as pipe grades perform below average / Margin increases in February are a distinct possibility

PVC January 2017: Ethylene costs have essentially been passed on / Margin improvements put off until February / Increased costs and export opportunities pushing up notations still further

Standard Thermoplastics Trend January 2017: Cost increases mostly factored in without problems / Raising margins proves more difficult / Quiet start to the year

Styrenics December 2016: Steep SM cost increase drives notations upwards / Triple-digit hikes for PS and EPS / ABS reaches annual high / Uptrend expected to continue in January

Polypropylene December 2016: Producers forced to pass on cost relief / Compounds also drift downward / Hikes inevitable as new year starts / Suppliers seeking additional structural adjustments

Polyethylene December 2016: Most producers pass on lower costs / 2016 ends on a calm note / Suppliers prepare for January price offensive / Calls for margin restoration

PVC December 2016: Cost reductions for base material passed on / Plasticiser shortage triggers price hikes for flexible compounds / Across-the-board rises expected for January

Standard Thermoplastics Trend December 2016: Polyolefins and PVC notations decline / Triple-digit hike for styrenics / Demand muted as year draws to a close / Stability likely to prevail until New Year

Polyethylene November 2016: Weak demand prevents producers from passing on higher costs / LLD down again amid a flood of imports / Pipe sector suffers from slow sales / Further falls likely in December

Polypropylene November 2016: Hikes clearly below cost rise / Slack demand and falling C3 spot dampen market momentum / Prices sure to point downward in December

PVC November 2016: Producers' price rises fail to cover the cost increase / Additives drive up blend prices more than average / Notations likely to slip in December

Styrenics November 2016: Notations end their downward trend / Full cost transfer only for ABS / Price expectations boost demand / December will see significant increases

Standard Thermoplastics Trend November 2016: Notations follow higher monomer costs / Most increases fall short of cost rise / Limited availability of low-density PE grades / Prices likely to remain stable for the rest of the month

Polypropylene October 2016: Hikes across the board but below production cost rise / Supply normalises despite import weakness / Prices expected to spiral upward again in November

Polyethylene October 2016: Notations stagnant or declining despite rise in C2 / Some materials tend towards a surplus / Latest ethylene increase will likely bring price hikes in November

Styrenics October 2016: Steep declines for polystyrene and EPS / ABS caught in weak rollover / Demand normal / Across-the-board increases expected for November

PVC October 2016: Producers fail to pass on full ethylene cost rise / Rise in blends notations steeper than for base grades / November business muted ahead of winter hibernation

Standard Thermoplastics Trend October 2016: Producers unable to pass on all costs / Slack demand from end markets / Margins deteriorate / Monthly price movement likely flat

Polypropylene September 2016: Price hike momentum loses steam over course of the month / Fear of bottlenecks proves unfounded / Only moderate increases / Cost pressure will continue to drive prices up in October

Styrenics September 2016: Suppliers trim peak PS and EPS notations / At times tough negotiations / Rollover for ABS / Demand rises as holidays end / Further declines expected after October's SM drop

Polyethylene September 2016: Producers' calls for hikes fizzle out into a rollover / Occasional price declines / Surprising calm prevails in post-holiday period / Slight cost pressure in October

PVC September 2016: Notations for base grades and E-PVC stagnate / Titanium dioxide and modifiers drive up rigid blends prices / Comparative calm on compounds front / Base grades likely to hold stable in October, while additive costs continue to rise

Standard Thermoplastics Trend September 2016: Only minor price erosion with PE / PP moves up following C3 turnaround / PVC and PS roll over / EPS falls slightly / Return to normality dominates the picture