Polymer Prices Engineering Thermoplastics

Engineering Thermoplastics in August 2008: Hikes at the higher end widen the price range / Imports pressure PBT and POM / Demand turns downward at mid-month / Supply situation will dictate developments

Engineering Thermoplastics in July 2008: Summer holiday season puts a damper on steep hikes / Some forward movement for PC, ABS and PA 6 / Upward pressure remains / Demand steers price movements

Engineering Thermoplastics in June 2008: Q2 ends on a stable footing / Absence of imports fuels ABS / Demand weakness in southern Europe lengthens supplies in the north / Higher feedstocks propel PA, PBT and POM

Engineering Thermoplastics in May 2008: Battle for market share puts downward pressure on notations / Strong demand despite short production month / Outlook for end of Q2 mostly stable / Cost explosion could fuel polymer hikes in Q3

Engineering Thermoplastics in April 2008: Q2 starts with minor corrections / ABS, PA and POM move up / PMMA and PP stable / PC down slightly, PBT loses more / Renewed calls for increases / PP under pressure

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of March 2008: Prices mostly stable as Q1 ends / Only minimal movements in PC, PA, PBT and POM / Producers try for hikes, despite declines in feedstock costs

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of February 2008: Prices predominantly firm / Demand below expectations / PC slips again / PMMA up / C3 hike passed on in bulk PP business / Producers still seeking rises across the board

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of January 2008: PA 6.6 and PBT move up / End of rock-bottom notations for POM, PMMA and PP compounds / ABS, PC and PA 6 still stable / Supply normal / Demand slow to recover / Conditions favourable for price hikes

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of December 2007: Increases not yet accepted / ABS and PC down again / Supply mostly well-balanced / Only POM tight / Methanol at record high / Significant hikes on the table / Latest transactions higher

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of November: Calls for increases mostly on hold / Imports pressure lower end of the ABS, PC and PBT scales / Supply mainly well-balanced / Producers intend to push through significant rises in 2008

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of October 2007: Calls for hikes unheeded / Supply mainly stable / K 2007 and German bank holiday reduce demand / Prospects for large Q4 increases uncertain

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of September 2007: Q3 closes with stable prices / PA 6 and POM generally tight / Rising feedstock prices will fuel calls for stiff resins rises in Q4

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of August: All still calm on the price front / Supply adequate but mixed picture with POM / Automotive continues to drive demand / Few announcements of price hikes

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of July 2007: Mostly calm on the price front at the start of the second half-year / Only minor adjustments / Falling costs improve margins / Stable demand / PA 6 tight

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of June 2007: Predominantly stable / ABS, PC and PP compounds up slightly / Good capacity use / Some feedstocks short / Longer delivery times / Moderate price hikes planned

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of May 2007: Prices still stable / Demand remains high / Supply situation varies / Asian imports stagnate / Feedstock rises drive producers demands

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of April 2007: Little price movement / Supplies tight / Demand slow due to Easter holidays / Feedstocks hikes fire up price rounds for Q2

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of March 2007: Prices largely stable / Lows adjusted / Supplies of some products limited / Demand continues high in Q2 / Further increases on the table

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of February 2007: Strong demand meets adequate supply / Q1 dominated by annual volume contracts / Range narrows for PA, PBT and POM / Tight scope for negotiation

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of January 2007: Dearer volume business drives prices / ABS, PA, PBT and POM advance / Only PC is softer / Demand strong / Tendency is up

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of December 2006: ABS shows further rise / Producers stand firm on large-volume businesses / Typical seasonal weakness / Big hikes on the table for all polymers

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of November 2006: Only ABS higher / Project and pool contracts terminated in large-volume business / Special deals in PC, PA and PMMA curb upward momentum

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of October 2006: Prices up slightly / Only PBT unchanged / Some grades tighter / Steep hikes planned for Q4 not yet affecting the large-volume segment

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of September 2006: Demand strong / ABS more expensive / PA 6.6 tighter / Higher feedstocks spur sellers´ call for price rises / Up to EUR 200/t more for all polymers in Q4?

Engineering thermoplastics at the end of August 2006: Prices stable for all polymers except ABS / Supply shortfalls in sight for ABS, PC and PA / Exchange rate favours Asian imports / Price hikes planned for autumn