Standard thermoplastics at the beginning of January 2008: Major increases for PE and EVA / Monomer increases up the pressure / PP and styrenics also rise / PVC still stable / Supply relatively well balanced / Demand normal

Polyols and polyurethane systems price rises

Off-list price rise for flame retardant

EPS price rise is higher than expected

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

December 2007

Standard thermoplastics in December 2007: No year-end “close-out sale” / Prices mainly firm / Minor corrections at each end of the scale / Advance purchases stemmed / Higher feedstocks prompt calls for steep polymer hikes

PET December 2007: Only minimal increases again in Europe / Feedstock costs bite worldwide as margins fall / Sluggish demand signals tough battle in January

December 2007

Prices for PP and PE rise at year's begin

Higher prices for PS

North American urethane elastomers on the way up

PE price hike planned for January

Fresh price hike for ethylene copolymer

PU feedstocks in December 2007: TDI still moving up / MDI down / Polyols in weak rollover / TDI supplies tighter due to maintenance and exports to South America / MDI and polyols mostly well balanced / Calls for hefty rises in Q1