Polymers

Recent developments

Market and earnings

Polymer-facing producers and distributors signaled stabilization. Brenntag raised full‑year 2026 guidance. LANXESS reported higher Q2 sales and EBITDA. Downstream exposure remained challenging as Trinseo reported higher net sales but a net loss amid restructuring. Upstream-linked pricing aided FY2026 1Q consolidated results, with gains from methanol and polycarbonate.

Strategy and portfolios

In Asia, PTT Global Chemical (GC) set targets to shift toward specialties and Green & Bio and advanced a potential olefins/polyolefins JV. Complementing this, allnex is expanding Sagging Control Agent capacity at Map Ta Phut. In Europe, ORLEN progressed the Grupa Azoty Polyolefins acquisition under its New Chemicals program.

Feedstocks and capacity

Upstream investments signaled long-term polymer feedstock availability as Tecnimont will deliver the Ruwais NGL expansion (RGD Phase 3), adding 8 Mt/y of NGL output by 2030 for ethane, LPG, and pentane streams.

Circularity advances

Advanced recycling moved to pilots and early scale. Viva Energy and Nestlé use recycled polypropylene for KitKat wrappers, demonstrating ISCC PLUS mass balance in Australia. PureCycle Technologies reported commercial ramp with P&G closures and regulatory drivers. Design-for-recycling progressed as Covestro joins KOLLEKT to develop fully recyclable automotive lighting, focusing on polycarbonate recovery.

Biopolymers and elastomers

Happy Cups makes first cup from Caleyda, validating PHA injection molding and initiating food-contact steps. In bioprocessing, DuPont Liveo Pharma TPE Ultra‑Low Temp Tubing wins 2026 R&D 100 Award, underscoring TPE performance at −86°C for single‑use systems.