PS prices to be reduced

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

Styrene monomer: November contracts plummet after benzene "implosion" / Uncertainty in the downstream markets

Prices increases for kaolin and calcined clays

Standard thermoplastics in October 2008: Notations in free fall / PE collapses / Demand weak overall / Many production cutbacks / Market seeks the bottom of the spiral / Benzene “implosion” unravels styrene chain

PET October 2008: Downward plunge accelerates as demand collapses / Overcapacities persist despite massive cutbacks / Feedstocks also move down sharply / No light at the end of the tunnel for now

October 2008

Polyurethane feedstocks in October 2008: Surprisedly sharp downturn / Dramatic demand setback for MDI and TDI / Mostly a rollover for polyols

Price hike for TiO2 grades in Europe and Russia

Standard Thermoplastics Trend October 2008: Prices for commodities plummet / No more fantasy in monomer rebates / Pipelines still well filled / Oversupply persists despite production cuts / Further price reductions possible

Thermoplastic resins prices to rise

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

Price hike for engineering thermoplastics

Standard Thermoplastics in September 2008: Most polymers on the decline at the end of Q3 / Buyers still holding back / Demand poor / Damage limitation through production cuts / Feedstock situation eases / Notations in October likely to soften further

PET September 2008: Worldwide economic meltdown has Europe in its grip / Producers' margins bleed red ink / Demand slumps / Downswing likely to continue