Locking arms and looking ahead

US imports hit LLDPE production in Europe / Group temporarily closes down production line in France

EU greenlights takeover of Lotte Chemical UK

Rönesans signs licensing deal for USD 1.4 bn PP production site in Ceyhan / Honeywell UOP and LyondellBasell technology

Marketing of CPE's recycled polyolefins across Europe

Distribution of Grupa Azoty plasticisers in German-speaking Europe

Distribution of Sanitized antimicrobials extended for Eastern Europe / Afcona's additives now available in Nordic region

North America distribution agreement with Nexeo Plastics

Distribution of Covestro's “Maezio” unidirectional tapes for thermoplastic composites

Takeover of flexible foam manufacturer by PAI Partners and Lego owner Kirkbi

Integration of IsoBouw / Six plants for EPS insulation in Germany

Flat roof specialist to be taken over by French private equity firm Naxicap

Renaming after acquisition by Inter Primo

Swiss building materials group acquires Romanian producer of EPS insulation sheets

Takeover of Italian hose manufacturer Merlett completed

Green Fiber International acquired / Further expansion in PET recycling

Global expansion continues with new Dubai location / Aim to buy recycled plastic resins from GCC

New chemical recycling partnership / Belgian partner adds geographical reach

More plastic packaging made from recycled polymers in 2019 / Elipso survey

Recyclable EPS introduced following successful trials / Commercial deliveries to begin early 2020

Launch of two recyclable HDPE tubes / APR certified

EPP particle foam with recycled content / Same mechanical properties as virgin material

Standard Thermoplastics Trend December 2019: Polyolefin notations unchanged / Styrenics lose ground / Slack demand in short production month / Price stability or softening expected as year-end approaches

Standard Recyclate December 2019: Sliding virgin material prices depress prices for pure grades / Oversupply for almost all grades / Demand ebbs at the end of the year / Hardly any change in January

Engineering Recyclate December 2019: Prices down for nearly all regrind types / Significantly weaker demand at year-end / Nevertheless surprisingly strong order-book situation for January and February

Good supply and weak demand continue to depress polyolefin prices

Polyurethane Feedstocks December 2019: Isocyanates and polyols plunge / Market oversupply meets weak demand / Outlook sobering

Russia November 2019: Slumps for many grades / Mostly very low demand / PET, PP and PS show more resilience in some areas / Further declines expected in December

China Standard Thermoplastics November 2019: Downtrend continues for most polymer notations / Safety regulations impact domestic PVC producers / Low demand and some further decreases expected in December

North America November 2019: Prices down across the board / Trade conflict and weak domestic demand have negative effect / As yet no impact on prices after explosion in Texas / Year expected to end on a low due to upcoming holidays

China Engineering Thermoplastics November 2019: Domestic polycarbonate notations soar while PA 6 heads downwards / Several plants lower operating rates

Payment risk in German automotive industry worsens / Margins fall due to higher material and labour costs / Stiff competition challenges SMEs / More European supplier insolvencies expected / Atradius “Market Monitor” 2019

Rising costs and weak profitability greatest challenges for European SMEs / Hong Kong most worried about global economic health / Two surveys identify key warning signs pre bankruptcy