Plastics Information Europe - up-to-date and reliable information about the plastics industry

In the Spotlight

Global distribution of polyethylene from South Korean Shaheen plant planned / Replacement for PE plants sold in Europe

— By PIE staff — For the next five years, Sabic will take over the international distribution of the polyethylene produced by its South Korean sister company S-Oil, according to a recent announcement by S-Oil. Both companies are majority-owned by Saudi Aramco. The plan appears to be a logical and well-planned step, given that Sabic intends to sell all of its own PE plants in Europe to financial investor... (11.02.2026)

RECYCLING EUROPE

Swedish research shows quality, not quantity, delivers climate benefits / Call for EU legislators to focus on more than recycling rates

— By Elaine Burridge — It is the plastics recycling method that determines the climate benefit, rather than the sheer volume of material recycled, according to recent research carried out in Sweden. The study – conducted by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute together with researcher and... (06:00)

BUTANEDIOL

EU imposes provisional countervailing duties on imports from China, US, Saudi Arabia

— By PIE staff — As planned, in early February the European Commission imposed provisional countervailing duties on imports of 1,4-butanediol from China, the US, and Saudi Arabia. According to the decision, the lowest duties – just over 50% – apply to International Diol, a subsidiary of Sipchem, based in Al... (10.02.2026)

UK CONSTRUCTION

Activity decline slows for second month in a row / Post-Budget clarity helps sector / Sentiment bounces back somewhat

— By PIE correspondent — The start of 2026 saw a slightly improved state of affairs for the UK’s troubled construction sector. While contraction continued in January across housebuilding, commercial work, and civil activity, it did so at a much slower pace than seen in December. According to the latest data... (10.02.2026)

ADNOC

“We believe in Europe's future” – Covestro chairperson Seele

— By PIE staff — In wanting to show a commitment to Europe, Rainer Seele, chairperson of the supervisory board of Covestro, has dismissed rumours that the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company plans to withdraw production from Germany, calling them “nonsense”. Adnoc has repeatedly ruled out any plans to scale... (09.02.2026)

PFAS

EU Commission to make 2026 a ‘year of action' on forever chemicals / New study quantifies risks for human health if substances are not banned

— By Dede Williams — After three years of inching forward on regulating PFAS, Europe now seems ready to move beyond deliberation and take bolder steps, potentially banning some substances. In presenting its new plans at the end of January, the European Commission declared that “2026 will be the year of... (09.02.2026)

LYONDELLBASELL

Full-year losses in the millions / Management plans lower investments, project postponements to boost 2026 results

— By PIE staff — Based on its full-year 2025 figures, US polyolefin group LyondellBasell could slowly be turning things around. Q4 results were less in the red compared with the third quarter, improving to a loss of USD 140 mn. For the year as a whole, however, the figure was at a minus of USD 738 mn –... (06.02.2026)

Plastic Fantastic

That's a wrap on luggage wrapping — By PIE staff — Better safe than sorry! So thought many an air traveller as they had their suitcases shrink-wrapped before departure, putting their minds at ease. Layer upon layer of ... (30.01.2026)

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Capacity database

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Products: Monomers and polymers
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Spot Price Monitor

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The pricing of feedstocks, PE and PP spot material in Europe is becoming increasingly important for the market.

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Latest News

RUSSIA Plastics processing slumps in 2025 / Oversupply crisis looms / State aid dwindling	06:00
AGRICULTURAL FILMS EU project developing stronger cellulose-based material to replace plastic film / Aims to cut soil pollution from microplastics, improve growing conditions	06:00
KRILL DESIGN Italian start-up develops packaging biomaterials from food waste	06:00
GRÄSSLIN Distributor takes on TPV from Turkish manufacturer Elastron	06:00
BEWI Norway's first EPS recycling plant opens	10.02.2026
PACKAGING RECYCLING GERMANY Recycling rate for plastic packaging continues to rise – ZSVR, UBA / Deficits in composite solutions / Waste management organisation calls for improvements to German Packaging Act	10.02.2026
EXXONMOBIL Petchem giant puts third chemical recycling unit in Texas into operation	10.02.2026
POLYMER PRICES North America January: Hikes for polyolefins, PVC, polystyrene / Higher feedstock prices, Winter Storm Fern support quotations / Margin pressure increases for engineering grades / February expected to be sideways to slightly firmer	09.02.2026
DAICEL Chemical group delays commissioning of COC plant in Germany / Demand outlook weakens	09.02.2026

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Price Reports and Announcements

POLYMER PRICES North America January: Hikes for polyolefins, PVC, polystyrene / Higher feedstock prices, Winter Storm Fern support quotations / Margin pressure increases for engineering grades / February expected to be sideways to slightly firmer	09.02.2026
KRATON Prices hike for styrene block copolymers	04.02.2026
TRINSEO Significant price increases for PS, ABS, SAN	03.02.2026
POLYMER PRICES Styrenics January: Quiet start to year / Slight premiums for PS, rollover for ABS / Signs of stronger price momentum in February	03.02.2026
POLYMER PRICES Engineering thermoplastics January: Sometimes up, sometimes down, but seldom stable: prices move in different directions / Uncertainty governs market / Trend reversal in February?	03.02.2026
POLYMER PRICES Composites/GRP January: Weak demand and a reasonably well-supplied market / No stock replenishment trends evident / Rollover likely in February	03.02.2026
POLYMER PRICES Feedstocks January/February	03.02.2026
POLYMER PRICES Ethylene February: C2 reference follows increased costs / Tough negotiations	02.02.2026
POLYMER PRICES Styrene February: Contract price shoots up by triple digits	02.02.2026
POLYMER PRICES Benzene February: Rising oil prices drive sharp premium	02.02.2026

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Readers' Choice

UPDATE - PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS Polypropylene: TotalEnergies declares second force majeure / Start-up problems at Ineos / Fire breaks out in Geleen	30.01.2026
LYONDELLBASELL Full-year losses in the millions / Management plans lower investments, project postponements to boost 2026 results	06.02.2026
DOW Chemical giant plans to cut around 4,500 jobs / Weak market, restructuring costs lead to billions in losses	30.01.2026
DOMO CHEMICALS Following companies in Germany and France, Spanish subsidiary files for insolvency / Production expected to be discontinued	05.02.2026
AMCOR Packaging group drives integration of Berry Global / Closure of 20 sites, 600 jobs cut	06.02.2026
PLAYMOBIL End of toy figurine production in Germany / 350 jobs affected by plant closure	06.02.2026
USA Winter Storm Fern: impact on European supply expected to be limited to PE	30.01.2026
BASF Force majeure lifted on polyamide lines / Plants in Ludwigshafen and Antwerp in production again	29.01.2026