Europe top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 2 May.

Europe PE, PP spot pricing stable to soft as softer May anticipated
European polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) spot pricing is stable to soft following the unpredictable trade wars at the beginning of the month. Players are universally expecting a softer month in May.

Spanish refineries, chemicals restart after nationwide power outage
Refineries and chemical sites in Spain have taken their first steps towards restarting operations following Monday’s nationwide power outage which forced widespread shutdowns.

European phenol/acetone market reacts with surprise to Orlen closure news
The European phenol and acetone market has reacted with surprise to the news that Orlen is to decommission its phenol and acetone plant in Plock, Poland, by the end of this year.

Europe acrylic acid contract prices fall in April as feedstock costs subside
The Europe acrylic acid (AA) market has seen the freely negotiated contract prices for April settle at a slight decrease.

INSIGHT: CEOs face new problem as economy weakens, overcapacity worsens
As the trade war puts a squeeze on already tepid economic growth, and deepens chromic global overcapacity in chemicals, CEOs may struggle to find fresh markets as they shift product flows to avoid the burden and uncertainty of tariffs.