POLYMER PRICES

North America November: Fundamental market weakness, lower feedstock costs put pressure on prices / End of year expected to be quiet

EXXONMOBIL

Petchem giant to reportedly shutter Mossmorran C2 cracker / Move to leave only one ethylene plant in UK

OIL & GAS

ConocoPhillips set to lay off more than 3,000 staff – reports / Other sector giants embarking on cost-cutting drive

SHELL

Search for partners for petchem segment intensified / Division apparently burning through funds / Divestment of modern PE site in US

SHELL

Oil giant drops Dutch biofuels projects / Construction not to resume after 2024 pause

EXXONMOBIL

Speculation sees US giant pulling out of EU / Mossmorran cracker and Belgian assets up for grabs?

UN PLASTICS TREATY

Environmental protestors target Ineos with surprise stunt / Greenpeace and plastics makers at loggerheads over global waste crisis

POLYMER PRICES

North America June: Prices trend sideways or firmer / Uncertainty due to US tariff policy / Hurricane season likely to trigger more stock purchases / Price increases announced for standard thermoplastics in July

SHELL

Energy giant partners with Yokogawa Electric on robotics, AI plant maintenance

POLYMER PRICES

North America May: Prices unchanged or down / Key sectors still weak / Tariff policy continues to create uncertainty / Feedstock costs predominantly lower / Sluggish environment set to continue in June

IRAN

Petchem production on upward trajectory despite sanction pressure / Economic crisis impacts local consumption / Results of export-diversification campaign unclear

LUCOBIT

German compounding specialist develops EBA compounds with up to 80% calcium carbonate

INEOS

Third major US energy deal passes regulatory muster / Terms not disclosed / “Attractive” market

SHELL

Sale of chemicals business in Europe and US confirmed / CEO Sawan considers “selective closures”

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks March: Processors successfully fend off demands for price hikes / Availability high, demand low / Harsh tone criticised

POLYMER PRICES

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

SHELL

Energy giant may quit chemicals in US and Europe / Asset sales planned?

BP

Back to petroleum / CEO says renewables don't pay / Activist shareholder holds sway

INEOS

New oil and gas investment in the US / Fossil resurgence under new Trump term?

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

Research predicts feedstock of the future / Recycling to become main carbon source for plastics – nova-Institute report

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

CHEMICAL RECYCLING

Zero Waste Europe calls for virgin production cap over chemical reclaim / Industry sees benefit for mixed plastics waste

UN PLASTICS TREATY

No consensus after Busan talks / Petchem industry accused of ‘unsupportive' behaviour / Rising endorsement of production caps / Further session planned

EUROPEAN POLITICS

EU commissioner candidates confirmed / Climate discussion front and centre / Von der Leyen plans to ‘engage' with Trump

EMS

Product range expanded to include polyketone Grinyl K / Compounding of Hyosung base polymer