Europe top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 12 May.

Europe R-PP non-packaging demand down by up to 50% in April and May
Demand for non-packaging grade recycled polypropylene (R-PP) in Europe has fallen by as much as 50% year on year in April and May, players confirmed this week.

Ammonia supply constraints spark European spot activity
Global ammonia continues to encounter downward price pressure for most major exporting and importing hubs because of plentiful supply and poorer than usual demand from the fertilizer and chemicals sectors during the second quarter.

Europe’s phenol and acetone sector stuck in a rut in Q2
Phenol and acetone demand in Europe remains below forecasts for Q2, with lower energy costs doing little to lift consumption. As a result, operating rates are not expected to increase any time soon.

Europe butanediol stable as frail demand persists
The European butanediol (BDO) market expects lower than usual demand patterns to persist. Still, the sector shows signs of stability and consumption does not appear to be eroding any further.

Europe spot PE prices fall below two-year low in May on monomer drop, “dead” demand, imports
Spot prices for several grades of polyethylene (PE) in Europe fell below a two-year low in early May, dragged down by a fall in upstream monomer and naphtha prices, unseasonably poor demand and the expected arrival of imports.