Several prices drop to rock bottom / Fewer imports than expected / Weak demand nevertheless met at all times

The month ended fairly uneventfully, with reductions in most cases being agreed very quickly. Only a few compounders were able to keep prices at the November level. The vast majority of production plants in Europe were running with significant cutbacks or not running at all, so as to prevent any further increases in stock levels. Because of the increased logistics costs, far fewer imports arrived in Europe, and because many converters began their Christmas holidays early, demand continued very weak. 

In January, inventories are still relatively full, which is expected to exert further pressure on prices. A rapid revival of the automotive sector cannot be expected, either. The compounding plants are set to gradually resume normal operation in the new year, but this will take place far more slowly than in previous years. Prices are unlikely to remain as low as they are at the moment, and PIE’s advisory panel reported that converters were frequently stocking up to a greater extent with some speciality products. These topping-up effects should, however – in the opinion of the panel – not become noticeable on the market until the second half of the month.

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