PIE 1171 of 23.05.2025 – Plastics Information Europe

PIE issue 1171

HUNGARY Plastics industry consolidation draws to an end / Automotive sector: problems and opportunities / Energy costs and shifts in green policy are key factors for competitiveness
UPDATE - MALAYSIA +++ Fire breaks out at Petronas gas pipeline in Puchong +++ Plastics export growth to slow in 2025 / Domestic market poised for lasting development /
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY SPAIN Call for cut in electricity costs to boost competitiveness / Base chemicals production remains in decline
SABIC Saudi group reportedly questioning its European activities / Reasons: price pressure, overcapacity, expensive raw materials
DOW EUROPE Ethylene cartel: claim for damages against Clariant, Celanese, Orbia, and Westlake
PLASTICS AND FINANCE BASF tops brand value list again; Sabic runner-up / Chinese brands grow by 18%
AMCOR Packaging manufacturer to shutter former Berry injection moulding site in US / Over 100 jobs to go
IFCO Emirati investor ADIA considers sale of stake in plastic container provider
ELOPAK Packaging manufacturer reports higher sales, lower profits / Focus on paper fibre-based solutions
CABKA Pressure mounts for industrial packaging / Earnings still in red
SÜDPACK Medtech subsidiary Medica expands capacities for PP blister packs in Germany
SCHOELLER ALLIBERT Merger with Irish-Canadian packaging group IPL announced
GULFPACK Arab film producer expands extrusion capacity / Brückner supplies two more lines
CONSTANTIA FLEXIBLES Packaging producer invests in blown film extrusion
US-CHINA TARIFFS De-escalation: Both nations agree to significantly slash tariffs / Positive reactions on the oil market
WORLD TRADE UK, India to sign Free Trade Agreement / UK-US deal likely underway; details unclear
TRADE WAR US, UK unveil tariff changes / Trump's 10% levy remains largely in effect
POLYMER PRICES North America April: Prices broadly under pressure / Demand remains subdued in almost all sectors / US tariff policy unsettles processors / No recovery expected in May
POLYMER PRICES China standard thermoplastics April: Prices decline across the board, several substantially / Weak crude oil market continues / Projections difficult amid changing tariff policies, overall uncertainty
POLYMER PRICES China engineering thermoplastics April: Prices for all grades trend lower / Tariff war impacts cost of crude oil / POM plummets amid high supply / Weak demand seen pressuring prices in May despite positive signals
POLYMER PRICES Standard thermoplastics trend May: Early price cuts for all types mostly equal to monomer level / Small reductions for the month's second half as demand remains weak
POLYMER PRICES Standard recyclate May: Heterogenous price development / Construction, logistics sectors pick up slightly / Off-spec material, imports generate pressure
POLYMER PRICES Engineering recyclate May: Prices still under pressure / Demand remains weak / No change expected in June
POLYMER PRICES Polyurethane feedstocks May: Trade dispute pushes large quantities of inexpensive material to Europe / Prices continue to trend lower / Demand remains weak
EU POLICY Coalition says new state aid framework lacks circularity funding measures / Omission risks undermining region's recycling sector / EU Commission spells out approach
PFAS Trump EPA to scale back parts of Biden-era regulatory focus / Restrictions on PFOA and PFOS should survive rewrite

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