Standard thermoplastics December 2020: In part significant hikes except for PET/ Panic buying caused by Brexit and pandemic / Bottlenecks continue for styrenics and PVC / Prices rises to continue in January

摘要

PE: Prices of PE film materials rose in some cases to a much greater extent than the cost of the ethylene feedstock, which was up EUR 20/t. Especially with LDPE film grades, Brexit-and pandemic-related stockpiling raised demand, but with other materials, too, the market was quite firmly in the hands of the producers. The film grades were outdone only by LDPE injection moulding types. For January, some producers are already calling for hikes of up to EUR 200/t even though the cost of ethylene rose by only EUR 65/t. Depending on availability, they will likely push through at least the cost increase and a margin share. Many producers are overbooked and some only have limited supply due to outages. Converters are expected to return to normal business only gradually.