Polymers
Overview
Global polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) supply and demand dynamics are in transition. Supply is increasing much faster than demand and international trade is shifting due to political and economic events. About 40% of the US polyethylene production is exported, mainly to Asian markets, whereas only about 10% of the polypropylene production is exported, mainly to LATAM markets.
Ethylene prices in Asia and Europe are tied to naphtha whereas ethylene prices in the US are impacted by natural gas and ethane supply. Asia is also self-sufficient on PP whereas they must import 25% of their PE demand.
The impacts of other ethylene and propylene derivatives such as PVC or propylene oxide also require assessment.
Our polymer experts will help you determine what trends to track and how to stay competitive in today’s ever-changing global markets.
Latest polymers news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global polymers industry.
Pryme restarts Rotterdam PPO plant
Pryme restarts Rotterdam PPO plant
London, 19 June (Argus) — Dutch plastic-derived pyrolysis oil (PPO) producer Pryme has restarted output at its Rotterdam site, and by this morning had produced 25t of PPO since 18:00 local time on 18 June. The output marks a successful restart since the operation, Pryme One, shut down on 29 April because of a leaky discharge valve. The Pryme One site has an input capacity of 26,000 t/yr. Pryme reduced its second quarter production guidance to "up to 250t" from "750-1,250t" following the shutdown. Pryme previously limited operations at the site in March, after vibrations caused a shutdown. In its 2024 annual report the company said that it had originally aimed for production goals of a little below 7,000t of PPO for 2025. Since the leak on 29 April the firm guided production of 1,500-2,000t for the third quarter and 3,000-4,000t for the fourth quarter in its first-quarter results, published on 6 May, adding that "production is expected toward the lower end of each range unless further improvements are realised". By George Barsted Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
UK firm wins grant to develop bio-based UPR
UK firm wins grant to develop bio-based UPR
London, 18 June (Argus) — UK-based chemical distributor Bowden Chemicals has been awarded a government grant to develop unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) made from bio-based materials. The company, which supplies raw materials for the polyester resin and phenolic resin industries, aims to develop a UPR over the next 18 months that matches the performance of fossil-based resins while containing more than 50pc renewable content. UPRs are hard, thermosetting resins used in the construction sector. The grant was awarded through the UK government's "Smart Grant" scheme, administered by innovation agency Innovate UK. The amount of funding has not been disclosed. By George Barsted Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Global footwear market to grow in 2025: Industry
Global footwear market to grow in 2025: Industry
London, 5 June (Argus) — Global footwear consumption could increase by 7.6pc on the year in 2025, according to a survey by footwear industry association World Footwear, potentially supporting demand for polyurethane (PU) this year. The increase in global footwear consumption could boost demand for key components in the production of PU for the footwear industry, including monomeric MDI (MMDI), aliphatic polyester polyols and polymeric polyester polyols. Consumption will grow by 14.9pc in Africa, by 7.5pc in Asia, by 3.9pc in North America and by 2pc in Europe, according to the survey, but could decline by 0.5pc in South America and by 3.9pc in Oceania. The geographic divergence "highlights the shifting centre of gravity in the global footwear industry toward emerging markets [...] while established markets face greater challenges," World Footwear said. World Footwear also said that supply chain pressures and higher input costs continue to squeeze profit margins. Survey respondents said that the cost of raw materials was the top concern for the industry. By Laura Tovey-Fall Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Anti-dumping investigation may support EU rPET
Anti-dumping investigation may support EU rPET
London, 22 May (Argus) — European PET market participants hope that the EU's anti-dumping investigation, if successful, could help preserve the profitability of the European PET industry and investments in recyclers needed to reach legislative targets, which are already in place. The European Commission has started an investigation covering virgin and recycled PET from Vietnam. The anti-dumping complaint, filed by industry association PET Europe, includes concerns that dumping of PET imports into the EU harms the European recycling industry. The complaint summary states that "with imports of vPET depressing the price of rPET, production of rPET becomes economically unviable, leading recyclers to bankruptcy." The investigation covers imports of PET from Vietnam with an intrinsic viscosity of 78 ml/g or higher, classified under HS code 390761 that arrived in the EU in 2024. The complaint from European market participants states that import dumping "directly impacts the EU's recycling and sustainability targets, the success of which depends on a successful recycling loop. Innovation and know-how of European rPET producers are seriously impaired by dumped imports." The application for the investigation says imports of low cost vPET encourages downstream users to increase consumption of vPET rather than using more rPET to save on costs, particularly important in the current challenging economic environment, when cost saving is at the forefront of commercial decisions. The premium for recycled material over virgin PET in Europe is at its highest since the end of 2022. Recyclers have reported demand for recycled material this year has been impacted by low virgin prices and the focus on sustainability has become less of a priority as companies have wider economic concerns. By Chloe Kinner Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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