Forest ownership helps Brazilian rosin makers cut costs

: Chemicals
25/11/13

Brazilian gum rosin and gum turpentine producers sourcing pine oleoresin from their own forests are better positioned to navigate weaker rosin markets, participants said at the Brazilian Pine Chemicals Meeting in Sao Paulo on 13 November.

Rising pine oleoresin prices and softening gum rosin demand at key markets such as Portugal have squeezed margins, participants said. Factories in Brazil often buy the raw material in the spot market from third-party producers. The percentage of pine oleoresin sourced from third-party pine trees versus the factories' own forests can vary. Fewer players have sizeable forest assets, and most rely on third-party volumes.

Argus assessed Brazilian elliottii pine oleoresin prices on 4 November at 5,100-5,230 Brazilian reals/t ($965-990/t) at the forest for cash payments. With gum rosin prices at $1,030-1,150/t fob Brazil port, margins are tight and in some cases negative. Access to in-house oleoresin at slightly lower cost can ease margin pressure, a seller said.

Gum rosin, a co-product of pine oleoresin distillation, is a key feedstock for rosin esters production in Portugal and Spain.

By Leonardo Siqueira

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25/12/03

Global bioplastics production set to rise: Correction

Corrects name of EUBP secretary general in final paragraph. This story was originally published on 2 December London, 3 December (Argus) — Global bio-based plastic production capacity is set to double to 4.7mn t by 2030, according to the latest report from the industry association European Bioplastics (EUBP). The organisation published a report with the Nova Institute, which estimated that current production capacity is roughly 2.31mn t and represents 0.5pc of the total plastic production capacity worldwide. The bioplastics industry in 2025 operated at an overall production utilisation rate of 72pc up from 63pc reported in 2024, meaning that roughly 1.67mn t of bioplastics were produced in 2025. The association noted that depending on the bio-polymer and production region in question utilisation rates varied massively. In 2025, polylactic acid (PLA) production capacity represented 26.4pc of the total production followed by bio-polyamide production (bio-PA). Bio-polyethylene (bio-PE) production capacity stood at 12.7pc, while bio-polypropylene production capacity stood at 1pc of total global bioplastic production capacity. The report expects bio-PE production capacity to rise to 13.5pc of the total production capacity or roughly 633,000 t/yr with similar figures expected for bio-PP at 13.6pc. In Europe, the report expected stated that current bio-based production capacity in 2025 was 330,000 t/yr with 28.1pc of this coming from bio-PA, 30.3pc coming from PBAT, 5.2pc coming from bio-PE and 6.7pc coming from bio-PE. At the EUBP, conference taking place in Berlin on 2-3 December, the report's authors mentioned that they have not included mass-balanced capacities in their figures, preferring to mention only biomass feedstock-only pathways. Currently, EUBP does not recognise the mass-balanced approach as set out in a position paper but it remains under discussion, with differing opinions about the adoption of the definition counting towards bio-based material heard today at the conference. The figures also do not include bio-degradable materials that are produced from fossil fuels. By 2030, total production capacity of biobased plastics in Europe is set to rise to 800,000 t/yr. This is largely being driven by increases in bio-PE and bio-PP production. Bio-PE capacity is set to rise to 138,400 t/yr in five years time from 22,110 t/yr, while bio-PP production capacity will rise to 238,400 t/yr by 2030, up from 17,316 t/yr in 2025. This is largely set to be driven in Europe by methanol-to-polymers (MTP). The bio-plastics and chemicals industry in Europe last week reacted to the European Bioeconomy strategy . The latest version of the strategy released indicated that the European Commission would look to introduce bio-plastics as being able to count towards some content requirements. At the Berlin conference today, EUBP Secretary General, Lorenza Romanese, described the strategy as the "the best news" for the industry in Europe in recent years. By George Barsted Global bioplastics production capacity forecast Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Q&A: European Bioplastics wants more EU policy support

25/11/26

Q&A: European Bioplastics wants more EU policy support

London, 26 November (Argus) — The bioplastics industry in Europe hopes to see more policy support for the sector from the EU, as costs and investments remain a concern even though demand from the packaging sector is growing, European Bioplastics' EU Policy Affairs manager, Julie Pieters told Argus. We have seen some regulatory support from the EU for the recycling industry with content targets, particularly in the Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR), but is there any legislation that is in the works to support bio-attributed and bio-based plastics? At the moment the only thing we have in place is a communication from the European commission in 2022 on bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics. But this is only a communication. In the Packaging and Packaging Plastic Waste Regulation (PPWR) there is a legislative hook for bio-based plastics. In principle, the review needs to be done by 2028 but the European Commission told us that it would like to do it before 2027. They would need to do a review of where the bio-based plastics market is today, and based on that they could begin a legislative proposal for bio-based content in plastic packaging, setting targets and seeing if bio-based content can be used to count towards recycled content targets that are already in place. Some applications of plastic packaging will also be marked as having to be made compostable. EU member states can also make this list of products longer if they wish to, so some bioplastic examples are also showing real opportunities in the field. There has also been some talk from people about having bio-based targets in other sectors like the automotive or construction field. A great example of this would be in the end-of-life vehicle regulation (ELV) proposed by the EU. Bio-based targets on plastics in cars is still in trilogues [a trilogue is a negotiation between the European parliament, the council and the European commission] so we would have to wait to see what comes out in the final directive. What are the hurdles that bioplastics producers are facing, both in Europe and globally? I think the European bio-plastics industry faces similar hurdles to other European industries — trade hurdles, investment hurdles, competition with other regions in the world. We developed a lot of the bioplastics technology in Europe but the industrialisation can often take place outside of Europe because of lower energy costs and investment opportunities. I think also policy support can help to boost the sector both in Europe and globally. We have had members of the association want to invest in Europe but in the end they have ended up going to other regions because the market is just bigger. I don't think the support mandated from the EU and the clarity for producers in Europe is not quite there yet, especially when it comes to encouragement in developing the market. What parts of the bioplastics space in Europe are currently faring well commercially, are there any products or projects that are doing particularly well? Or are there any end-use sectors that are seeing uptake? Currently, the most success we are seeing is in the packaging sector, mainly related to food packaging at the moment. Around 50pc of the bioplastics demand comes from packaging. Things like fruit and vegetable bags and compostable bin liners are doing well in terms of end-use. Polylactic Acid (PLA) is seeing some growth potential in some market segments as well with uptake. Some drop in polymers are also seeing movement for more durable goods, cosmetic packaging, automotive components as well especially if they allow for rapid substitution of fossil based carbon. Does the association have a position on the difference between feedstocks? For example take bio-attributed plastics such as bio-PE derived from bionaphtha via a mass balanced approach versus something like PLA? How do you define biomass feedstock? I think it can occasionally be a bit of complex question to answer particularly in terms of mass balance. European Bioplastics association represents all types of bioplastics and we have a position on the technology of mass balance which can help allow us to remove some fossil-fuel derived material from the plastics space but there needs to be safeguards as well, especially in terms of communication towards the consumer. In terms of biomass feedstock at the association we define it as being the material or product is partly derived from biomass (plants). Biomass used for bioplastics usually stems from material like corn, sugarcane or cellulose. It is also important to note that some material that can be biobased but not bio-degradable, some can be biodegradable but not bio-based and some can be both bio-based and bio-degradable. The European Bioplastics Conference is taking place in Berlin on 2-3 December. What are some of the key themes that will be discussed there? It's the 20th anniversary of the conference so it will look back at the last 20 years of the bioplastic industry in Europe and try to provide a snapshot of where the bioplastics market in Europe is at currently. The bioeconomy strategy report published by the European Commission just before the conference will also play a role in discussions. In the bioplastics sphere, the industry is struggling with the same kind of difficulties as the petrochemical sector in Europe, which we know is not doing well at the moment. But as it is more of an innovative sector this can provide an additional burden, especially when it comes to feedstocks and feedstock pricing. The conference is timely in the sense we see some positive policy developments coming out of Brussels and we hope they come in time to support the sector. Otherwise, the conference always provides the opportunity to discuss the latest innovations in the biobased and compostable plastics sphere and to go deeper into their functionalities. By George Barsted Argus recently launched the industry's first biochemical reference prices, built on Argus methodology and derived from ISCC-certified bio-naphtha. Published monthly and calculated from daily bionaphtha and biopropane premiums, these references cover bio-attributed ethylene, propylene, butadiene and benzene. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil's Bolsonaro begins serving full sentence

25/11/25

Brazil's Bolsonaro begins serving full sentence

Sao Paulo, 25 November (Argus) — Brazil's supreme court (STF) today ordered former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving his prison sentence for plotting an attempted coup. Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months . He will serve his full sentence in the federal police headquarters in capital Brasilia, where he was already jailed following a preventive arrest due to "very serious evidence" that he could try to escape on 22 November. He had been placed on strict house arrest since early August. His defense attempted to have him serve the entire sentence at home, citing severe health problems, but all appeals did not come to fruition. The defense argued that Bolsonaro deals with permanent diseases that "demand intense medical assistance". Bolsonaro has been hospitalized several times in the last two years due to complications following a stabbing he suffered while campaigning in 2018. STF also barred Bolsonaro from running for any public office until 2060. He had previously been barred from any public office until 2030 . Another six people convicted in the same trial as Bolsonaro began their full sentences Tuesday, including former vice-president candidate Walter Braga Netto, STF said. Bolsonaro's arrest leaves a window open for a more conservative presidential candidate in next year's elections to challenge current president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has already confirmed he will run for a fourth, non-consecutive term. Some early conservative options are Sao Paulo governor Tarcisio Freitas, Parana governor Ratinho Junior and some of Bolsonaro's relatives, such as his wife Michelle Bolsonaro or his son senator Flavio Bolsonaro. The elections will take place in October. By João Curi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

EU deforestation law may be delayed further: IPOC

25/11/14

EU deforestation law may be delayed further: IPOC

Singapore, 14 November (Argus) — The European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will likely face a second delay this year, said Anri Hadi, Indonesian ambassador to the EU at the 21st Indonesian palm oil conference (IPOC) on 13 November. A 12 November EU vote on whether to extend a six-month grace period for penalties and measures to be applied on medium to large firms — initiated last month — was inconclusive without a majority vote on the proposal, said Hadi. For medium and large enterprises, the EUDR will take effect on 30 December 2025, but a six-month grace period would apply on its enforcement, and for micro and small operators, the EUDR would apply from 30 December 2026 if this proposal were to be accepted. If member states do not agree to a grace period by 15 December, the EUDR would take effect on 30 December 2025 for large and medium companies and on 30 June 2026 for micro and small enterprises. Some member states instead voted to delay enforcement of the EUDR altogether by another year, to December 2026 for medium and large firms and June 2027 for small and micro firms. Under this proposal, there would be no grace period for enforcing the regulation after starting in 2026, Hadi said. Palm oil and some byproducts such as glycerol with 95pc or above purity are listed in Annex I of the EUDR, meaning exporters will have to submit traceability data to relevant government authorities under the EUDR to gain access to the EU market. Sustainability and enforcement guidelines still unclear Hadi called for sustainability standards such as the Indonesian sustainable palm oil (ISPO) certification to be recognised under the EUDR and for government-aligned guidance regarding geolocation data sharing requirements. But providing sustainability data to facilitate EUDR compliance is considered illegal under Indonesian law, said Indonesian vice minister of foreign affairs Arif Havas Oegroseno. Citing Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licensing within the timber industry as an example, he said Indonesia could set up a similar licensing unit to provide relevant data to government authorities in the EU while retaining sustainability data domestically. Under proposed traceability requirements, smallholder farmers would be unable to comply with the regulations, Oegroseno added. Farmers subsequently selling product to larger mills would also impact the supply chain as these mills may export palm oil into Europe. By Malcolm Goh Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Mexico industrial output extends declines in Sep

25/11/11

Mexico industrial output extends declines in Sep

Mexico City, 11 November (Argus) — Mexico's industrial production fell by 0.4pc in September from the prior month, marking a fourth consecutive monthly decline, with construction again the main drag. The September drop in the industrial activity indicator (IMAI), reported Tuesday by statistics agency Inegi, followed revised declines of 0.3pc in August, 1.1pc in July and 0.4pc in June. The result missed growth forecasts of zero change by Mexican bank Banorte and 0.1pc by Banamex, marking a fourth straight downside surprise for analysts. Both banks had expected construction to turn positive in September, pointing to advances on major government infrastructure projects, including 3,000km (4,800 mi) of new passenger rail routes by 2030. The finance ministry's proposed 2026 budget allocates Ps536.8bn ($29bn) for priority infrastructure projects, up from Ps189bn in the 2025 budget. Instead, construction fell by 2.5pc, following declines of 2.4pc in August, 1pc in July and 0.8pc in June. Within construction, civil engineering fell by 3pc after a 6.2pc drop in August, the steepest decline since October 2022. The sharpest drop came in new building construction, falling by 3.2pc in September — the largest in four straight months of contraction. Manufacturing output edged 0.2pc higher, after a 0.1pc uptick in August, with only four of 21 categories expanding. Petroleum and coal-derived products led growth at 6.3pc, with textiles, machinery and electronics also positive. But the transportation equipment segment, including light vehicles, contracted by 1.5pc, extending declines to four months. Banorte noted that analysis of manufacturing data has been complicated by the lack of US industrial figures for September because of the government shutdown, though trade-balance data suggest a slowdown in exports and a possible buildup in inventories that likely moderated production. Trade uncertainty persists despite a new extension of US president Donald Trump's tariff increase on Mexican goods — to 30pc from 25pc — and the ongoing US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement review through mid-2026. The mining sector increased by 0.7pc in September after expanding by 0.3pc in August and 2.8pc in July. Oil and gas output rose by 0.5pc following a 0.1pc decline in August, in line with recent production trends . Non-hydrocarbon mining increased by 1.4pc after a 2.5pc drop in August, helped by firmer industrial metal prices. By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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