Episode 1022: Think Tank: Europe PE, PP panic confirm persistent demand collapse

Europe’s polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) markets are suffering from chronic oversupply and poor demand as new capacities elsewhere target the region.  -          Europe PE, PP markets tally with LANXESS CEO warning of collapsed demand-          Europe PE, PP see chronic oversupply, poor demand-          Prices crash as all downstream sectors except automotive suffer-          Consumers choose products with cheaper packaging-          Convertors switch to cheaper polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-          Europe PE, PP producers operate at minimal rates of 65-70% -          Consumers spend on travel and services, not goods-          Time to move on from business as usual approach