LOGISTICS

'Ceasefire' in Iran conflict sends oil prices tumbling / Tensions also expected to ease in polymers market

IRAN WAR

UK shops report material shortages, higher costs – BPF survey / Outlook grim

UK CONSTRUCTION

Housebuilding decline continues into March / Business confidence hit by Middle East crisis

PLASTICS PROCESSING GERMANY

TecPart reports further decline in turnover, volumes / Market expected to bottom out by 2026

ENERGY PRICES

Electricity trend March: Electricity being held hostage by gas prices / Geopolitical risk premiums on the rise

ITALY

Packaging: Recycling quota likely to drop to 75%

UK RECYCLING

Over 50 councils miss prep deadline for Simpler Recycling system / Biggest recycling policy shake up in 20 years – Wrap

ABS IMPORTS

War in the Middle East chokes off imports from East Asia / Prices skyrocket / Supply bottlenecks loom over next few months

ENERGY PRICES

Gas trend March: The strait of a few kilometres has plunged the world into chaos / Supply shock dictates markets

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Polystyrene: Trinseo declares force majeure

LOGISTICS

Apparent blockade: China, Russia, and one Greek shipowner move vessels through the Strait of Hormuz / Iran levies transit fees

EUROPEAN ECONOMY

Iran war supercharges consumer costs / Are interest rates next?

POLYETHYLENE

Brazil imposes final anti-dumping duties on US, Canadian imports / Measures maintained at provisional levels

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

EU trade agreements with India and Mercosur to support struggling car sector / Plastic components suppliers may benefit / Emerging market access unlikely to be game changer

SWEDEN

More than 3 bn drinks containers returned / Deposit increase spurs consumers to use DRS

AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING

Limited availability of recyclate to meet ELVR targets / Car industry to compete with other sectors for material – Conversio study

SOUTH KOREA

Naphtha shock: Middle East war accelerates cracker consolidation / Reorganisation plans for Yeosu on the table

PVC

Mexico imposes provisional anti-dumping duties on US imports / US shipments dominate market

LOGISTICS

Container freight rates remain subdued / Fuel for ships and aircrafts running short

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

ABS: Ineos Styrolution declares force majeure for several Novodur grades