Menu

08.05.2024

PIE - Polymer Price Reports

Engineering thermoplastics April 2024

Weak demand, small price hikes create balanced market / Demand can mostly be met despite production cutbacks / Surprising optimism for May

The still weak demand put a limit on producers’ calls for price increases. The overall market was too liquid, and the benzene contract for April (up EUR 37/t) was often not seen by converters as sufficient argument to accept even higher prices. One exception was PA 6, which experienced a significant rise at the start of the new quarter. 


Despite cutbacks in European output, producers were able to fulfil their contracts at all times, not least thanks to imports. Car production, especially in the premium segment, seems to have recovered somewhat and manufacturers ordered more material. Stock-building activities by converters, however, were seldom seen.


As for May, producers cannot be happy with the price increases they have so far achieved. For this reason, they are likely to again try for higher quotations. Converters, meanwhile, report an improved order book situation for May. Especially in the automotive industry and the E&E sector, the mood is brightening up. For this reason, some PIE panellists expect production in May to rise despite the many public holidays, which would mean that more material would be needed than in April.

More information on PIE Polymer Price services ...