• The European Commission is seeking concrete commitments from China to address the widening EU-China trade imbalance. • Chinese exports of plastics, chemicals, textiles, machinery, batteries and electric and hybrid vehicles to the EU have increased sharply over the past year. • Brussels links part of this growth to Chinese industrial overcapacity and wants initial measures from Beijing by early October. • The EU's trade deficit with China reached €360.6 billion in 2025 and widened by a further 9% in the first half of 2026.
• Türkiye’s total polymer imports fell below 500,000 tonnes in July 2026, reaching their lowest monthly level since November 2025. • Import volumes declined by 12% compared with June and by 18% year on year. • The total value of polymer imports dropped to USD 707 million. • In value terms, imports decreased by 9% month on month and 11% compared with July 225. • The figures provide another important signal of weaker activity in one of Europe’s neighbouring major polymer markets.
• European natural gas prices have returned to levels not seen since the 2022–2023 energy crisis. • Dutch TTF futures climbed above €75/MWh in early September, while Northeast Asian spot LNG reached its highest level since December 2022. • Disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz and restricted LNG flows are intensifying competition between European and Asian buyers. • Europe enters the approach to winter with relatively low gas inventories, increasing its exposure to prolonged high energy prices. • The situation could create renewed cost pressure across the European petrochemical, plastics processing and recycling industries.
• European PA6 contract prices increased in August. • Higher feedstock costs were the main driver behind the upward movement. • The development affects an important engineering polymer used in automotive, electrical, industrial and technical applications. • Demand conditions remain an important factor for the sustainability of the price increase.
• Competitively priced imports are adding further pressure to the European engineering recyclates market. • The market continues the difficult conditions observed during the summer months. • Demand recovery following the holiday season is expected to be slow. • PIE expects only limited price changes over the coming weeks. • For European recyclers, competition from imports adds another challenge to an already weak demand environment.
• Attempts to push polyethylene and polypropylene prices higher in Turkey are beginning to meet stronger resistance from buyers. • Converters are increasingly cautious about accepting additional increases after the sharp polymer price movements seen earlier in 2026. • Turkey's heavy dependence on imported polymers makes the market particularly sensitive to international supply, freight costs and geopolitical disruptions. • Growing buyer resistance could limit suppliers' ability to maintain further increases if downstream demand does not strengthen. • Developments in Turkey are also relevant for European producers and traders because of the country's important role in regional polymer trade flows.
• The European styrene reference contract for July 2026 has been settled at EUR 1,692/t, representing a EUR 270/t decrease compared to June. • This is the first monthly decline in seven consecutive months, signalling a significant shift in the European styrene market. • Lower styrene costs are expected to translate into reduced prices for polystyrene (PS), expanded polystyrene (EPS) and ABS, key materials used across multiple manufacturing sectors. • European converters may benefit from lower raw material costs at a time when demand remains relatively weak in many segments of the plastics industry.
• PE prices in April moved up by approximately 660 €/tonne, bringing total 2026 increases to around 990 €/tonne • PP suppliers seek additional non-monomer price increases of 88–220 €/tonne on top of rising PGP contract settlements • PS prices driven up by sharply higher benzene and butadiene feedstock costs • PVC and PET also record increases, supported by plant shutdowns and raw material cost pressure • Iranian conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions continue to impact global energy and feedstock supply chains
• The European recycled plastics market remains volatile in May 2026 • rPE (recycled polyethylene) prices show moderate increases in certain segments • rPET and rPP continue to face limited availability and cautious demand • Processors are still closely comparing recycled versus virgin material costs • Regulatory pressure regarding recycled content targets is increasingly influencing purchasing strategies
China continues expanding petrochemical and polyolefin capacities • New investments are increasing pressure on European producers • The global market is facing oversupply and shrinking margins • Asian imports continue to impact the competitiveness of the European plastics industry
• price-sensitive demand is driving buyers toward low-cost PP and PE cargoes • Southeast Asian buyers remain cautious • competitive pressure continues to increase across the market
Borealis has announced price increases for polyolefins in Europe: +€70/ton for polyethylene (PE) and +€50/ton for polypropylene (PP). The new prices apply starting April 1, 2026.
Polymer Prices EXPLODE: Historic +50% Increases Push Market Into Shock
Week of March 19–26, 2026. • Oil rises to 110–115 USD/barrel → feedstock +50–60% • Dow doubles PE increase to +30 cents/lb (~660 USD/ton) • LyondellBasell, INEOS, Borealis declare force majeure • SABIC introduces energy surcharges on engineering plastics • ABS, PMMA, PET and PP see rapid global price increases
The sharp increase in virgin polymer prices in March 2026 is now directly impacting the recycled materials market. Recyclates are becoming more expensive, while strengthening their strategic role in the supply chain, driven by regulatory pressure and rising production costs.
Plant closures and financial pressure hit North American recycling sector amid falling PET bale prices
The European Commission plans to introduce stricter measures in early 2026 regarding imports of recycled plastics. The initiative aims to clearly distinguish between recycled and virgin materials and could have a direct impact on the European recycled polymers market.
• Achieving cost parity between recycled plastics and virgin materials in Europe may take decades, according to recent market analysis. • High energy prices, regulatory costs and limited scale continue to disadvantage recyclers compared to virgin polymer producers. • Without structural support, recycled plastics risk remaining economically uncompetitive despite policy targets.
Polypropylene (PP) containers remain a key segment of the packaging industry, with solid growth forecasts through 2035, supported by demand from food, pharmaceutical and industrial applications.
The European recycled polypropylene (rPP) market enters 2026 in a difficult environment, characterized by weak Q1 demand, downward price pressure, and intensified competition from virgin material. Value-chain players are adopting cautious strategies and becoming more selective regarding end-use applications.
Europe’s plastics market ends 2025 under continued pressure, with weak demand, cautious purchasing behavior and limited pricing power for key polymers such as PP, PE and PS, according to a recent market analysi
According to recent industry analysis, declining demand and production adjustments in 2025 have led to lower virgin polymer prices in Europe, increasing pressure on recycled plastics markets—particularly rPP and rPE segments that compete directly with virgin materials.
In Q4 2025, the price gap between recycled plastics (rPCR) and virgin polymers remains unfavorable for recycling, driven by weak demand and the strong competitiveness of virgin material.
The global recycled thermoplastics market is projected to grow rapidly over the next decade, from around USD 63 billion in 2025 to more than USD 145 billion by 2034. Growth is driven by demand from packaging, automotive and construction, alongside tightening sustainability regulations.
Polyethylene (PE) prices across European markets declined by 40–60 EUR/t, following increased import volumes and softer demand from
The European polyolefin market continues to face downward pressure in November, with weak demand, ample supply and limited price support from monomer markets. Processors and recyclers are navigating a volatile environment that affects margins, competitiveness and planning.
Global demand for recycled plastics has slowed down in 2025, especially in cost-sensitive sectors, yet analysts project a market value of USD 133 billion by 2035 driven by sustainability targets and stricter circular economy regulations.
The European recycled polystyrene (rPS) sector is experiencing robust growth, driven by strong demand from the insulation and packaging industries.
ICIS reports a bearish R-PET market in Europe – weak demand and price declines dominate October 2025.
European prices for standard recycled materials (R-PET, R-HDPE, R-PP) continued to fall in October 2025, marking the third consecutive month of decreases as industrial demand remains weak.
The global POM market is expected to grow steadily, driven by the automotive and E&E sectors, with increasing attention to recycled and special grades.
The global recycled HDPE market is projected to expand by 7% each year until 2030.