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Middle East Conflict
Latest news and market reports on the impact on the plastics industry.
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In the Spotlight
LOGISTICS
Protesters to block Brenner Highway on 30 May / Intra-European transit traffic on the verge of collapse
— By PIE staff — “Everything has come to a standstill” will be the situation on 30 May on the Brenner Highway – the essential 350+ km transit route linking Innsbruck, Austria, and Modena, Italy, through the Alps. Residents annoyed by traffic noise and pollution have announced a demonstration for that day.... (06:00)
PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT
Operation Clean Sweep reports global progress / Data gaps cloud pellet loss picture
— By Brie Casazza — The industry-led Operation Clean Sweep initiative has reported growing global participation and expanded verification efforts in its 2025 Global Impact Report, even as wider research continues to highlight uncertainty over the scale of plastic pellet loss into the environment. According... (13.05.2026)
PLASTIC PACKAGING GERMANY
PPWR: Federal government rejects VerpackDG amendments proposed by Bundesrat
— By PIE staff — The German federal government is sticking to its course on the packaging implementation act and has rejected key amendments proposed by the Bundesrat. The aim of the legislation is to transpose the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which comes into force on 12 August 2026, into... (12.05.2026)
PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS
PVC: Westlake Vinnolit declares force majeure on deliveries from Cologne and Knapsack, Germany
— By PIE staff — Due to “unforeseeable technical disruptions” in the production of the precursor vinyl chloride monomer, German PVC producer Westlake Vinnolit has declared force majeure on PVC deliveries from its domestic plants in Cologne and Knapsack. In an email to customers viewed by PIE, the company... (11.05.2026)
MASTERBATCHES
Group flags supply chain risks from Middle East disruptions to key trade routes / Bottlenecks hit industries such as cosmetic packaging, plastic film, automotive
— By PIE correspondent — Germany’s Masterbatch Association, a specialised division within mineral pigments industry organisation VdMI, has warned of significant risks facing the plastics processing industry following disruptions to key trading routes in the Middle East. “The escalation of the Middle East... (11.05.2026)
NEWS FROM KI.PIE GROUP
PIE launches weekly Executive Briefing for industry leaders
— By PIE staff — Plastics Information Europe is pleased to announce the launch of its new weekly Executive Briefing, a curated summary of the most important developments shaping the plastics industry. Delivered every Friday morning directly to your inbox, starting today, and written in the voice of our... (08.05.2026)
Middle East Conflict
Polyglobe
The Iran war and its consequences for the plastics industry

Tensions in the Middle East have reached a new peak: following the recent attacks by Israel and the US on Iran, the geopolitical situation continues to escalate. Energy prices, raw material availability and logistics flows are sensitive to the escalation in this key region.

PIE – Plastics Information Europe analyses the scenarios that are now conceivable and how they could affect energy and raw material markets, supply chains and competitive structures in Europe.
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Latest News
VELOGY
Private equity firm launches new company combining former LYB, Sabic assets
 		06:00
RONGSHENG
Multi-billion project on Chinese island of Zhoushan / Large volumes of ABS, EVA, PC to be added
 		06:00
MULTIVAC
Packaging machinery maker raises turnover / Major investment made in domestic sites
 		06:00
POLYMER PRICES
China engineering thermoplastics April: Most prices continue sharp uptrend / Only ABS and PA 6 move sideways on low supply / Mixed outlook for May
 		13.05.2026
GRAMMER
Automotive supplier reports decline in revenue, operating profit / Forecast nevertheless confirmed / European business performs comparatively well
 		13.05.2026
LEONI
Chinese electronics group Luxshare raises stake in German auto supplier
 		13.05.2026
UK CONSTRUCTION
Weak demand sees sector activity slide for fifth month in a row / Rise in purchasing costs steepest in three decades
 		13.05.2026
EQUIPLAST
Spanish plastics trade fair to highlight circular economy, innovation in plastics sector
 		13.05.2026
POLYMER PRICES
North America April: Prices firmer across the board / Producers use their pricing power to improve margins / More significant increases expected in May / Resistance from converters grows
 		12.05.2026
More...
Price Reports and Announcements
POLYMER PRICES
China engineering thermoplastics April: Most prices continue sharp uptrend / Only ABS and PA 6 move sideways on low supply / Mixed outlook for May
 		13.05.2026
POLYMER PRICES
North America April: Prices firmer across the board / Producers use their pricing power to improve margins / More significant increases expected in May / Resistance from converters grows
 		12.05.2026
POLYMER PRICES
China standard thermoplastics April: Increases continue at slightly slower pace / Only carbide-based PVC declines / Supply remains generally low / Price trend mixed
 		11.05.2026
TRINSEO
Further price increase for polystyrene
 		07.05.2026
POLYMER PRICES
Styrenics April: Premiums higher than ever before / Further price increases expected for May
 		05.05.2026
POLYMER PRICES
Feedstocks April/May
 		05.05.2026
POLYMER PRICES
Composites/GRP April: Price rises continue for all grades; triple-digit hikes in some cases / Converters reluctant to purchase
 		04.05.2026
POLYMER PRICES
Styrene May: Contract reaches four-year high
 		04.05.2026
POLYMER PRICES
Engineering thermoplastics April: Sellers' market drives prices higher / Converters under risk of running out of money / Difficulties expected to continue in May
 		04.05.2026
POLYMER PRICES
Propylene May: Quotations continue to trend higher
 		04.05.2026
More Price Reports...
More Announcements...
Readers' Choice
UPDATE - RADICI / DOMO EM
Rumours confirmed: US financial investor Lone Star acquires and merges the two PA producers
 		05.05.2026
MASTERBATCHES
Group flags supply chain risks from Middle East disruptions to key trade routes / Bottlenecks hit industries such as cosmetic packaging, plastic film, automotive
 		11.05.2026
EUROPEAN RECYCLING
Takeaways from PRSE Day 1: Drastic loss of recycling capacity / EU commissioner promises support / Pressure on industry increases
 		05.05.2026
PACKAGING WASTE LEGISLATION
CEOs urge EU to delay PPWR enforcement / Industry and NGOs clash over implementation timeline
 		08.05.2026
BASF
Q1 sales down 3%, but volumes grow / Petchem major sees strong Q2 prospects / Middle East crisis boosts pricing power and upside potential
 		04.05.2026
DEFENCE INDUSTRY GERMANY
What opportunities does military sector hold for plastics converters? / Rational considerations prevail / Unable to offset declining automotive market
 		07.05.2026
LOGISTICS
US President Donald Trump's 'Project Freedom' has little to no effect / UAE manages to sail some oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz
 		08.05.2026
TRINSEO
Q1 results push plastics group further into red / Revenue, adjusted EBITDA decline
 		06.05.2026
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Date of print: 14/05/2026
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