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Polymer manufacturers generally followed the monomer price increase. And with polyethylenegradesthey came up with a price increase by20-40,and in case of polypropylene prices by 20-30 euros this week. The rise in prices is meant compared to the prices at the beginning of April. Thus, in many cases, the end-April spot prices and early May list prices slid together.  This is particularly noticeable for HDPE, where the price band has widened extremely. Ukrainian and Russian goods are already available at prices starting from 1,080 € / t in Poland. But some of the Serbian polymer producer's prices are still under $ 1,100. The FCA BM price of the Czech producer did not exceed 1,150 €. While the largest Central European producer sells at a level of € 1,200 and higher. Larger Central European plastic converters are also buying well above the bottom of the price band. As they cannot supply aquantityof hundreds of tons per month, and continuous supply at this price cannot be provided. And in addition, Western European markets are now paying prices above € 1,240-50. So it's worth supplying there now. Therefore, supply may be shrinking in the second half of the month and average prices may rise as well.

In the case of polypropylene grades, the Western European supply situation poses difficulties. There is downtime, maintenance or FM at 5 western European plants in total.  The latest of these is the shutdown of BRASKAM's plant in Schkokapu due to feedstock shortage.  All this means that there will be a short supply of polypropylene in Europe in May. Despite the tight supply, converters in many cases did not even accept the 20 euro price increase following monomer prices.  Polypropylene, especially homopolymers, are expensive, just like last year. The only shelter for PPH has so far been producers in the southern region, but now their prices are also coming close to € 1,200 from below. PPC prices are clearly over 1,300 Euro.

Polyolefin prices also reached the levels in May 2018, which we will reach this May as well. They were held until the end of November. The situation will be also here similar to that of the polyolefin grades. In June, a smaller price increase is possible, but no significant change in prices is expected until September. The autumn trends are still questionable, but a smaller price increase is possible.

The SM price increase was accepted on the market. European producers increased their prices by an average of 30 Euros. While merchant warehouses still have non-European imports from the last month, this means that the price bands have been extremely broad for GPPS, HIPSandABS. The 30-euro SM price increase is good news for the market, as the expected high price correction in June might not happen. Also, a smaller monomer price increase is conceivable.

In the case of all polymers, it can be said that price estimates are greatly impaired by the fact that some traders and distributors still have a stock purchased in the previous months left, which they will launch on the market in the first 10 days of the following month in the event of price increases. In most cases, they reflect the price level of the end of the previous month. However, due torealisticperception of the situation, it is important to present these prices as well.

Polyolefin grades

Typical LDPE prices were in a range of 1,080-1,180 €/t last week.  Producers increased prices by 20-40 EUR. The value of 1,080 Euro is the ex-works price of the producers in the southern region. But the price of the LDPE FILM grades without additives in the Czech Republic and Slovakia was 1,080-1,100 €. But on the Polish market, there are similarly cheap LDPE prices. These are probably items that are still from April. However, the items produced in May were available at prices ranging from € 1,100 to € 1,800 / t.

HDPE price bands expanded:  Prices between € 1,080 and € 1,280 / t were typical in Central Europe. Polymer producers have generally announced a price increase of 20-30 Euro, but buyers are still trying to buy the cheaper stock available. Probably after these stocks are sold, the bottom of the price band will climb up to a level of 1,120-1,140.

HDPE BM prices in Central Europe were in a range of 1,090 to 1,250 € / t. Manufacturers have announced prices following monomer prices. Demand is good and in line with the season.

HDPE IM prices were in a range of 1,125-1,250 €/t.   There was a price increase following monomer prices. Demand is good and in line with the season.

HDPE Film grade prices were in a range of 1,080-1,280 €/t in Central-Europe. Central European producers increased prices by € 20-40. The supply is good, goods from Russia, the Ukraine, Egypt and other countries are available on the market. Demand is good. In the second half of the month we expect the bottom of the price band to rise along with the disappearance of cheaper materials.

Typical HDPE (100) prices were in a range of 1,330-1,420 €/t last week.  Of course, news came in also about selling stocks from April under 1,300 Euro. Producers increased prices by an average € 30. However, demand in May seems weaker than usual. This way the price rise can be shattered and ultimately, only a smaller price increase will go through the market.

The typical LLDPE C4 prices were between € 1,070-1,170 / t last week, depending on type and application area. There was no price increase. For the time being, the May supply situation is not yet clear. But "stagnation" of prices does not indicate a supply problem.

  mLLDPE (C6) prices varied in a range of 1,200-1,320 €/t, A price increase by 20 EUR following monomer prices happened. The average price of "traditional" well-known suppliers was between 1,240 and 1,270 € / t.

Typical PPH prices increased following monomer prices. Last week's price range was 1,170-1,280 € / t.

Typical PPH Raffia prices were in a range of 1,170-1,260 €/t last week.  There was a price increase following monomer prices.  Demand is good, supply is tight, especially for cheaper grades.

The price of non-special PPM IM products with medium melt index was in a range of 1,180-1,260 €/t last week.  Prices for high-flow index products were in the price range of 1,200-1,300 €. Supply is between tight and balanced.

Typical PPC prices were in a range of 1,290-1,380 €/t in Central-Europe last week.  With the shutdown of the Braskem plant in Schkopaui, supply has narrowed further. However, the impact on prices this week was not yet perceptible. Items below EUR 1,300 mainly cover items imported from outside of Europe in April. However, there is little available, and even more so in Poland. European producers have typically reported prices above € 1,300 by May.

The PPR price range was 1,320-1,430 €/t, depending on the grade, producer and application area last week.  Demand is good. The pipe market seems to become dynamic, along with the buoyancy of construction. The supply is a bit tight.

The typical prices of the last week are presented in the table below (full truck load 20-22.5 t):

Polystyrene grades

EPS prices were in a range of 1,380-1,420 €/t last week, they increased following SM prices. Due to the rainy weather and the purchases during the first four months demand is not very high. However, the average price increase of € 30 was accepted by the market.

Typical GPPS prices were in a range of 1,230-1,400 €/t, while HIPS prices were in a price range of 1,250-1,530 €/t last week. European producers increased their prices by an average of 30 Euros. Supply is broad. There are many import products from outside the EU and Europe. Their prices are still very low. Typically, the prices of European products are 1,320-1,400 € / t for GPPS and 1,360-1,530 € / t for HIPS. Demand is lower than expected.

ABS prices were in the price range of 1,580-1,720 € last week.  Though the price band does not indicate it, producers and distributors have raised their average price by 30 Euro. The price range cleared of last month’s inventories is between € 1,620 and € 1,680 / t. The supply is wide-ranging from both European and non-European materials.