Polypropylene (PP) contract prices in Europe were assessed flat last week, according to Polymerupdate. Homopolymer injection-grade PP prices were assessed at €800/tonne FD Northwest Europe, with copolymer at €840/tonne FD Northwest Europe. Spot PP prices were unchanged with homopolymer at €720/tonne FD Northwest Europe and copolymer steady at €770/tonne FD Northwest Europe.

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) general-purpose contract prices in Europe were flat last week, with FD Germany at €920/tonne. FD Italy prices were assessed at €915/tonne, while FD France registered €900/tonne. In the spot market, LDPE prices were assessed at €780 to €790/tonne FD Northwest Europe. A European LDPE producer contacted by Polymerupdate said that although European demand for LDPE isn’t robust at this time, export inquiries are strong.

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) demand improved, but spot prices of LLDPE in Europe were unchanged from the week before at €785/tonne FD Northwest Europe. In the contract market, LLDPE prices came in at €890 to €900/tonne FD Northwest Europe. Going forward, European LLDPE producers were hoping to see a lift in sales due to approaching peak season requirements for applications such as greenhouse film.

Polystyrene (PS) contract prices settled last week at €975/tonne FD Northwest Europe, while HIPS contract prices settled at €1025/tonne FD Northwest Europe. In the spot market, general-purpose PS prices settled at €790/tonne FD Northwest Europe, while high-impact grades registered €840/tonne FD Northwest Europe. Ineos Nova announced an increase in its PS prices for Europe for May, looking to lift general-purpose and high-impact grades by €65/tonne.

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) producers in Europe are targeting May price hikes on gains in SM and butadiene, with general-purpose and natural-grade ABS contract prices assessed at €1185 to €1195/tonne FD Northwest Europe. In the spot market, ABS prices were assessed at €1095/tonne FD Northwest Europe.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) contract prices were flat in Europe last week at €715/tonne FD Northwest Europe. Producers in the region nominated hikes in their May contract prices from €50 to €75/tonne. In the spot market, FD Northwest Europe was assessed at €570/tonne.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) FD Northwest Europe bottle-grade contract prices were €1080 to €1100/tonne last week, as producers target steep increases in their contracts. Polymerupdate says some European PET producers are looking at increases of €100/tonne in their May contracts, with €70-to-€80/tonne-hikes already floating in the marketplace. In the spot market, PET bottle-grade prices were assessed at €920/tonne FD Northwest Europe. —[email protected]