Polymer Prices Engineering Thermoplastics

Engineering Thermoplastics in August 2010: Prices still under pressure / PC, POM and PBT move up / Polyamides take a breather / Supply remains tight / Delivery times lengthen / Switching to higher gear in September?

Engineering Thermoplastics in July 2010: Long-term negotiations drive notations up / Only ABS and PP compounds stable / Shortages further prolong delivery times / Risk of increases despite holiday season

Engineering Thermoplastics in June 2010: Hikes continue despite feedstock decline / For many grades of polymer it was a seller's market / Quarterly and semi-annual contracts see consistent upward price momentum

Engineering Thermoplastics in May 2010: Prices continue to spiral / All materials aside from PP compounds and PMMA again show triple-digit increases / PA 6.6 goes through the roof / Shortages abound / Outlook varied

Engineering Thermoplastics in April 2010: Notations skyrocket / Numerous triple-digit hikes / Supply tightens / Lively demand / Sharp rises expected again in May

Engineering Thermoplastics in March 2010: Hikes gather speed / Ongoing import slump / Tight PA 6.6 drives up related materials / Demand definitely improving / Further increases likely

Engineering Thermoplastics in February 2010: On the road to recovery / Increases all round / Low prices adjusted / Imports scarce with ongoing production cutbacks / Ready for take-off

Engineering Thermoplastics in January 2010: Upcurrent in Asia hits European markets / Production cutbacks clash with livelier demand / Feedstock costs drive polymers up

Engineering Thermoplastics in December 2009: Year ends on a stable footing / Quarterly contracts still preclude hikes / Supply limited by reduced production and decline in imports / Automotive continues to be lively / Rising costs drive demand

Engineering Thermoplastics in November 2009: Most polymers stable / Feedstocks pull ABS down / PC moves in the opposite direction / Livelier demand / December market will be focused on next year's business

Engineering Thermoplastics in October 2009: “Classic” materials stable / Feedstock increases drive hike in ABS and PP compounds / Downward pressure mounts / Scarce PA 6.6 could be only gainer

Engineering Thermoplastics in September 2009: Q3 ends on a largely stable footing / Feedstocks nudge ABS and PP forward / Supply balanced / Demand somewhat slack / Cost cutting in Q4 / Market still calm

Engineering Thermoplastics in August 2009: Price movements mostly flat / ABS and PP up again on higher feedstock prices / Small gain for natural PA 6 / Balanced supply and firm demand likely to drive September prices upward

Engineering Thermoplastics in July 2009: Notations mostly flat / Only ABS and PP compounds make gains / Supply moves into balance / Demand at low level / Higher feedstocks prompt polymer hike plans

Engineering Thermoplastics in June 2009: Minor revival in demand but no substantial improvement / Most notations stuck at rock bottom / Producer cost increases can hardly be passed through

Engineering Thermoplastics in May 2009: Prices start to firm / ABS and PP up slightly / Other polymers capped / Minor price wars at lower end / Demand shows signs of life / Outlook mainly stable

Engineering Thermoplastics in April 2009: A mixed picture / ABS firmer again / PC, PA 6 and PP compounds mainly stable / POM, PBT and PMMA down / PA 6.6 falls sharply / Upswing in China brings hope of stabilisation

Engineering Thermoplastics in March 2009: PP compounds firmer / ABS bottoms out / PC, PA, PBT, POM and PMMA down slightly / Demand weak / Little stimulus expected in Q2 / Will producers take back autumn price increases?

Engineering Thermoplastics in February 2009: PP bottoms out / ABS and PC in aftershock / PA begins to slide / PBT, POM and PMMA also down / Automotive crisis dominates / Little light on the horizon for March

Engineering Thermoplastics in January 2009: ABS and PP compounds in free fall / PC and POM plummet by over EUR 100 t/y / Resistance for PA and PBT / PMMA still firm / Slack demand / Further decline likely

Engineering Thermoplastics in December 2008: Downswing rolls over into this market, too / Notations for almost all polymers lower / Only PMMA holds up / More price wars expected in Q1

Engineering Thermoplastics in November 2008: Sluggish demand puts a sudden end to high prices / Imports exert intense pressure on ABS / Softening tendency for all standard grades

New "A-Plastixx" indices enable analysis of plastic prices by individual markets / Greater transparency for converters and their customers / Packaging, construction, automotive and E&E applications

Engineering thermoplastics in October 2008: Price movements paralysed by order cancellations / Automotive segment applies the brakes / C3-linked PP declines / Supply good / Softer prices likely despite production cutbacks

Engineering Thermoplastics in September 2008: Price rises as Q3 ends / Most remaining calls for hikes still in place / Demand shrinks / Stability is likely in October