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Last week was dedicated to vacation. Whoever could, was on leave. Few transactions have occurred. Nonetheless, mainly producers reported relatively good sales in August. However, most of these occurred before the 10th. One of the major regional polyolefin producers reported that they had sold everything they had planned. Most are expecting a September price increase and a sharp pickup in demand on August 19th. The recovery is sure, as most are now returning from vacation, and most of the plastic converter stoppages are about to end. The start of the season is also linked to the outage of one of Central Europe's largest polymer producers. The MOL Group is ready to shut down and will be able to meet needs from stock. However, the tight supply of MDPE is likely to persist throughout the fall season. The big question in the fall season is how strong will the import pressure be? Strengthening dollar worsens opportunities for imports, mainly North American goods in Europe, yet the inflow of Russian polymers will be strong in the fall season. The big question is, will polymer prices go up in September? Like every month, the monomer price change will be decisive. NAPHTHA prices are now around an average of 450 USD/t compared to the 500 USD level in July. This could also mean falling monomer prices. However, caution is important in this matter as the weak summer demand is true for NAPHTHA as well, and we will see more after the 19th.

The PS market also went on vacation. Demand was extremely weak throughout the week, weaker than for polyolefin grades.

Polyolefin grades

Typical LDPE prices were in a range of  980-1,050 €/t last week.  They did not change. The supply is good, but the demand is weak. Demand is expected to grow during the week ahead.

The HDPE price band has widened, with the lower end of the price range reaching 1,000. This is due to weak demand. Typical prices were in a range of 1,000-1,140 €/t.

Typical HDPE BM list prices in Central Europe were in a range of 1,000-1,100 €/t. Demand was low. Weak demand also brought down prices, especially in Poland.

Typical HDPE IM prices ranged from 1,020 -  1,100 €/t in Central Europe. They did not change compared to last week, demand is weak.

HDPE Film grade prices were  in a range of 1,000-1,120 €/t in Central-Europe last week. Demand is low. The range of MDPE grades is ever narrowing. Normal supply is only expected after MOL maintenance is completed.

Typical HDPE (100) prices were in a range of 1,235-1,300 €/t last week.  They did not change compared to last week. Demand has been good so far in August, weak last week. However, converters are preparing for a good fall season.

The typical LLDPE C4 prices were in a range of 980-1,040 €/t last week, depending on the grade and application area. It didn't change over the previous week. Demand is low.

 mLLDPE (C6) prices were in a range of 1,120-1,250 €/t last week. Supply is good, demand is low.   Prices have not changed compared to the previous week.

PPH prices have not changed. Most transactions occurred in the first 10 days of August. Last week even the non-production at HIPOL caused no supply disruptions.

The typical price of PPH Raffia in Poland was 980-1,080 €/t, while in other countries of Central Europe they were in a range of 990-1,100 €/t last week, did not change. Demand was basically weak. We are expecting a pick-up in the week ahead, but that does not mean price increases.

The price of non-special PPM IM products with medium melt index was in a range of 1,000-1,130 €/t in Poland. Some smaller lots were sold at prices below 1,000 EUR/t. The prices in other Central European countries were in the range of 1,000-1,150 € / t. The prices of high flow index grades in Poland were in a range of 1,060-1,160 €/t and in other Central European countries in a range of 1,090-1,180 €/t. Central European prices also caught up with Polish prices, they decreased.

Typical prices for PPC were in a range of  1,140-1,240 EUR/t in Central Europe. Demand is low.

The PPR price was in a range of 1,190-1,300 € / t last week, demand was surprisingly good, supply was limited. This is how we got news of sales over € 1,300. Strong demand and tight supply are expected to persist.

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

Grade name	Typical polymer price ranges in the third week of Aug 2019, Central Europe (€/ton)
HDPE BM	1000-1100
HDPE Film	1000-1120
HDPE IM	1020-1100
HDPE Pipe (100)	1235-1300
LDPE Film	980-1050
LDPE GP	990-1050
LLDPE C4	980-1040
mLLDPE C6	1120-1250
PPC	1140-1270
PPH IM	1000-1150
PPH IM HMFR	1060-1180
PPH Raffia	980-1100
PPR	1190-1300
GPPS	1120-1200
HIPS	1145-1300
EPS	1140-1230
ABS	1400-1590

Polystyrene grades

EPS prices were in a range of 1,140-1,230 €/t last week. They have fallen compared to early August and are at July price levels. The problem continues to be the lack of manpower in the construction industry. In principle, there is a season, but demand is weak. In addition to products from Iran, cheap Russian material is also available on the market.

Typical GPPS prices were in a range of 1,120-1,200 €/t, while  HIPS prices were in a range of 1,145-1,300 €/t last week. The strong dollar has pushed back imports from the Middle East and Iran.

ABS prices were in a price range of 1,420-1,590 € last week.  Demand is weak, but very cheap items are sold out. We expect recovery next week. The season starts.