POLYMER PRICES

North America March: Prices trend mostly sideways / Weak basis, falling feedstock prices and “enormous uncertainty due to tariffs” / Further reductions likely in April

PLASTICS AND HEALTH USA

Trump EPA drops Biden-era lawsuit against Denka / Chloroprene risk claimed to be overstated

POLYMER PRICES

North America February: Unrest on US polymer market due to Trump's threat of import tariffs / Prices vary but predominantly stable

POLYMER PRICES

North America January: Enzo, Trump drive up prices of standard thermoplastics / Engineering grades stagnate in weak market / Uncertainty around tariffs in February

PFAS

Lawsuit wants Chemours fined for discharges overshoot / Quo vadis EPA?

PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT

‘Trump 2.0' will see major changes in climate legislation / ACC staffers return to EPA

POLYMER PRICES

North America December: Stable to slightly falling prices in combination with sluggish demand and adequate supply / Feedstock quotations firmer recently / Price rises in January unlikely

WORLD PLASTICS COUNCIL

President Benny Mermans elected for second term

POLYMER PRICES

North America November: Rollovers, reductions on weak market fundamentals / Weakness set to continue into new year / Trump's customs duties big unknown factor

POLYMER PRICES

North America October: Weak market conditions dominate picture in all segments / Reductions, rollovers everywhere / Softer cost side / November expected to be lower

POLYMER PRICES

North America September: Prices roll over or fall back / Weak demand continues / Production outages have no effect on quotes / Lower feedstock prices and surplus trend support decreases

USA

Revised recycling law draft in Congress seeks 30% recyclate in plastic packaging / Bucshon, Davis look to stimulate private sector investment

POLYMER PRICES

North America August: Most prices roll over or fall / Only polyolefins rise because of increasing feedstock prices / FMs, outages due to weak demand have no effect on prices / No trend turnaround likely

PLASTICS TREATY USA

US seen as shifting position on global plastic-output cuts / Industry slams reports

POLYMER PRICES

North America July 2024: Hurricane Beryl leads to numerous outages, logistics problems / Polyolefin, PVC prices see some significant rises / PA 6 also considerably higher / August expected to stay mostly unchanged

SHELL

Energy giant drops chemical recycling plans / Target of 1 mn t/y by 2025 “unfeasible”

USA

Federal government launches plastics-waste-reduction strategy / Reduction of SUPs primary target

POLYMER PRICES

North America June 2024: Most prices remain unchanged despite firmer feedstocks and production problems / Demand weak across the board / Reduced margins for producers also expected in July

PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT

Industry initiative Operation Clean Sweep expands presence to 65 countries / 2023 Global Impact report

NPE

Biggest trade show on the North American continent to open doors again / Main topics: recycling, sustainability

PETROCHEMICALS USA

Environmental Protection Agency steps up action against chemical companies / 218 plants affected

US INDUSTRY

Congress reintroduces bill to extend producer responsibility, control resin production / Trade groups warn of stagnation in chemicals, plastics

US REGULATION

Washington considers end of ‘chasing arrows' symbol / EPA says labels can be misleading / Industry calls for wider definition of recyclability

POLYMER PRICES

North America June 2023: Weak market fundamentals and falling feedstock prices depress polymer markets / Producers cut back capacities

POLYMER PRICES

North America May 2023: Low prices in all segments except PS / Surplus with most types / Recovery in construction and automotive without an effect on prices / Weak start to the summer season