PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

PVC: Shin-Etsu ends force majeure at Cires unit in Portugal / Plants in Czech Republic, Poland back on-line / Hardly any improvement in imports

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

PVC: Shin-Etsu declares force majeure for Portuguese subsidiary Cires

PVC MARKET

European production landscape undergoing massive changes / Global capacity shifts drive consolidations / Overcapacities mean additional closures cannot be avoided / Who will be the next victim in this game of Russian roulette?

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics in September 2012: Cost momentum in first half drives polymers / Supply adequate despite production cuts / Slack ordering pressures the market / Price zenith evidently reached

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics Trend 2012: Producers win more than their increased costs / Margins up, volumes down / Demand shows distinct signs of slowing down / Market is becoming tense

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics in August 2012: Polyolefin producers regain margins as costs spiral / PVC and styrenics players restricted to passing on higher costs / Supply tight / Further price rises on the horizon

SHIN-ETSU

Revenues from PVC activities down 25%