Polymerupdate European resin pricing, June 29-July 3: PP, PE, PS, PVC, and ABS up sharply

Polypropylene (PP) contract and spot prices climbed sharply in Europe according to Polymerupdate, due to strength in upstream propylene, tight regional availability, and good demand. Homopolymer injection molding PP contracts rose to €905/tonne FD Northwest Europe, with copolymer at €945/tonne FD Northwest Europe. In the spot market, PP homopolymer rose to €855/tonne FD Northwest Europe, with copolymer at €905/tonne FD Northwest Europe. Borealis announced last Monday that it would lift its July PP contract prices by €140/tonne, with LyondellBasell announcing a €125/tonne increase for July contracts.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) marched higher in Europe last week, with injection molding contract prices hitting €980/tonne FD Northwest Europe, blowmolding reaching €1010/tonne FD Northwest Europe, and HDPE film-grade contract prices rising to €990/tonne FD Northwest Europe. In the spot market, injection molding and blowmolding grades were assessed at €915/tonne FD Northwest Europe, with film at €950/tonne FD Northwest Europe. July spot offers were reported on Friday at $930 to $940/tonne FD for injection and blowmolding grades, with film offers at €980/tonne FD. Exacerbating the already tight supply was LyondellBasell’s force majeure on two of its film grades from its Plock, Poland plant.
 
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) prices shot higher in Europe on tight avails and improving regional demand. General-purpose LDPE contracts prices were reported at €1010/tonne FD Northwest, with spot LDPE at €940/tonne FD Northwest Europe, and ranging to €950/tonne FD Northwest Europe and higher last Friday.

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) prices also saw steep gains, with LLDPE contract prices at €1000/tonne FD Northwest Europe. In the spot market, prices rose to €930/tonne FD Northwest Europe, with LLDPE July offers at €950/tonne FD Northwest Europe. LLDPE producers seem intent on achieving increases in their July contracts of at least €100/tonne above June.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prices were flat in Europe last week, with suspension-grade PVC at €800/tonne FD Germany and €805/tonne FD Italy. In the spot market, prices ranged from €650 to €680/tonne FD Northwest Europe. Looking forward, European PVC producers are determined to push for steep hikes in July, with Ineos announcing a €130/tonne increase, while Arkema announced a €120/tonne boost in its July contracts. In the spot market, PVC sellers were targeting €750/tonne FD Northwest Europe, with some ambitious sellers making offers near €800/tonne FD.
 
Polystyrene (PS) prices went sharply higher on strength in upstream ethylene, benzene, and styrene monomer (SM). In the spot market, general-purpose PS prices rose to €940/tonne FD Northwest Europe, with high-impact PS at €985/tonne FD Northwest Europe. In contracts, GPPS fetched €1075/tonne FD Northwest Europe, with HIPS at €1120/tonne FD Northwest Europe.

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) prices climbed in Europe last week, with general-purpose and natural-grade ABS at €1280/tonne FD Northwest Europe. Dow reportedly hiked its ABS offers to Europe by €150/tonne effective July 1, with offers to the Middle East, India, and Africa up €120/tonne. In the spot market, ABS rose to €1090 to €1100/tonne FD Northwest Europe. —[email protected]