Czech crude imports Jan-Oct 2025

Imports of crude to the Czech Republic totalled 5.492 million tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 5.565 million tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports from Russia dropped from 2.095 million tons in the first ten months last year to 526,900 tons in January to October 2025, with the last deliveries of Russian crude made in April.  The smaller refinery in Kralupy nad Vltavou continues to process lighter crude from the Caspian region, with imports from Azerbaijan amounting to 2.414 million tons in the first ten months this year.  The larger Litvinov refinery has switched to a combination of Norwegian and Saudi Arabian oil, amounting to 1.014 million tons and 459,600 tons respectively for January to October 2025.   A new source of crude was arranged in December from Ukraine which is expected to rise this year.

Polish crude imports Jan-Oct 2025

From the total of 20.965 million tons of crude imported into Poland in the first ten months in 2025, supplies from Saudi Arabia totalled 9.676 million tons followed by Norway which provided 6.479 million tons.  

Guyana was the third largest supplier of crude to Poland in 2025, delivering 1.784 million tons in January to October versus 1.118 million tons in the same period in the previous year.  Average prices for Polish crude purchases dropped from $585.1 per ton in the first ten months in in 2024 to $481.1 per ton in the first ten months in 2025.  Due to lower prices refining margins for the Orlen Group recovered steadily throughout 2025.

Druzhba and Hungarian crude imports Jan-Oct 2025

Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline was hit by another explosion on 1 December, striking the Taganrog-Lipetsk section of the pipeline.  Despite sanctions, parts of the pipeline remain operational. 

Hungary imported a total of 4.311 million tons in the period January to October 2025, against 4.138 million tons in the same period in 2024.  Supplies from Russia amounted to 3.680 million tons against 3.817 million tons.  Average prices for Russian crude dropped this year to €452.1 per ton from €464.2 per ton in 2024.  Of the three main countries in Central Europe Poland mostly pays the highest price for crude from a variety of sources whilst Hungary benefits from lower Urals crude.

Serbia’s mainly Russian-owned oil company NIS (Serbian Oil Industry) has suspended production at its Pancevo refinery due to a lack of crude oil as a result of US sanctions imposed on Russia.  Serbia has given Gazprom and Gazprom Neft, until 15 January to find a buyer for their holdings in the oil company. The Pancevo refinery’s maximum capacity is 4.8 million tpa.  The petrochemical division of Petrohemija was forced to suspend production at the same time as the refinery.

Polish petrochemical production Jan-Oct 2025

Ethylene production in Poland dropped in the first ten months of 2025 to 247,900 tons against 297,500 tons in January to October 2024, whilst propylene dropped from 333,200 tons to 298,800 tons.  The drop in propylene production over the ten months is largely due to the PDH plant of Polimery Police plant which has not worked since July.  

The reasons for the stoppage at the PDH plant is down to scheduled maintenance being brought forward from three years to two years.  This change in the maintenance cycle to two years threw out Grupa Azoty’s calculations, as they do not have the funds to operate the restart of the plant.  As a result, renewed discussions are being undertaken with Orlen.  

Butadiene production at Plock rose slightly to 43,960 tons in the first ten months in 2025 from 43,514 tons in 2024.  Nearly all of the butadiene produced at Plock is consumed by Synthos.  In the aromatics sector toluene production at Plock has been stopped again.

In the plastics sector polyethylene production in Poland amounted to 236,400 tons in January to October 2025 versus 206,400 tons in 2024.  Polypropylene production in Poland dropped at the two plants at Plock and Police from 258,000 tons to 236,400 tons.  PVC production at Wloclawek decreased from 201,600 tons to 138,700 tons.

Orlen to purchase butadiene project from Synthos

Orlen signed an agreement with Synthos on 18 December regarding the purchase of the new butadiene project under construction at Plock.  Synthos is selling 100% of shares in the butadiene plant for zl 692 million (€165 million) and will be finally settled by the end of June 2026.  The new Butadiene Unit will collect the entire C4 fraction from installations under construction within the Nowa Chemia project and will supply not only butadiene but also raffinate-1

Polish monomer imports, Jan-Oct 2025

Butadiene import prices for Poland amounted to €864.7 in the first ten months in 2025 against €872.7 per ton for the whole of 2024.   Shipments totalled 84,412 tons against 85,102 tons in January to October 2024.  Germany increased exports in 2025 to 33,265 tons versus 21,715 tons in 2024, and Austria reduced shipments to 29,200 tons against 31,641 tons. 

Poland imported 86,200 tons of propylene in January to October 2025 against 79,459 tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports declined in the past two years due to higher domestic production.  Average import prices for propylene imports into Poland declined from €847.2 per ton in the first ten months in 2024 to €825.9 in 2025. 

Hungarian monomer trade, Jan-Oct 2025

Exports of propylene from Hungary amounted to 56,723 tons in January to October this year against 63,777 tons in January to October 2024.  Shipments to Slovnaft in Slovakia were reduced from 61,722 tons to 46,899 tons, whilst smaller deliveries were made so far in 2025 to Poland (5,157 tons) and Germany (4,661 tons).   Prices averaged €1033.1 per ton in the first ten months against €1037.5 per ton in January to October 2024. 

Hungarian butadiene exports dropped to 30,404 tons in the first ten months against 45,142 tons in the same period in 2024.  Butadiene is exported from MOL’s Tiszaujvaros complex, with Poland as the largest destination.   Prices dropped in the first ten months from €813.0 per ton to €705.3 in 2025.

MOL Petrochemicals undertook scheduled repairs at the cracker at Tiszaujvaros in December.  The plant capacities include 290,000 tpa of ethylene, 155,000 tpa of propylene and 130,000 tpa of butadiene.  Ethylene is either consumed internally or shipped to BorsodChem for PVC production.  MOL Petrochemicals operates an HDPE plant at Tiszaujvaros with a capacity of 420,000 tpa an LDPE plant with a capacity of 65,000 tpa a PP plant with a capacity of 280,000 tpa.

Styrene imports into Hungary declined from 47,573 tons in the ten months of 2024 against 44,641 tons in the same period this year.  Average prices fell to €1418.9 per ton against €1112.6 per ton in 2024.  Imports are dominated by shipments from Italy where volumes amounted to 40,726 tons in the first ten months in 2025.  Imports from Italy are used for polystyrene production at the Dunastyr plant.

Czech olefin monomer trade, Jan-Oct 2025

Czech ethylene imports amounted to 2,303 tons in the first ten months in 2025, against 3,658 tons in January to October 2024.  Czech propylene imports totalled 48,712 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 36,250 tons in the same period in 2024.

Ethylene exports from the Czech Republic amounted to 11,474 tons in the first ten months against 11,637 tons last year, whilst propylene exports were negligible. 

Germany supplied 18,312 tons of propylene to the Czech market in the first ten months in 2025 against 16,666 tons in 2024, whilst imports from Poland rose from 2,046 tons to 9,426 tons.  Butadiene imports increased in the first ten months last year from 22,186 tons to 41,318 tons.  Germany supplied 34,484 tons this year and Hungary 4,827 tons.

Styrene imports into the Czech Republic amounted to 33,150 tons in the first ten months against 19,015 tons in the same period in 2024.  The Netherlands increased shipments from 9,806 tons to 13,790 tons whilst supplies from Germany increased to 15,273 tons against 5,039 tons.  Average prices for styrene imports into the Czech Republic dropped from €1152.0 per ton in the first ten months in 2024 to €1097.4 per ton.

Czech polyethylene trade Jan-Oct 2025

For imports of all forms of polyethylene, Czech inward shipments amounted to 262,501 tons in January to October 2025 against 251,665 tons in the same period in 2024.  Average prices of imports declined from €1600.7 per ton to €1461.9 per ton.  Germany was the largest source of polyethylene imports, followed by the Netherlands and Belgium.

Polyethylene exports from the Czech Republic amounted to 307,677 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 349,478 tons in the same period in 2024.  Average prices increased from €1299.0 per ton to €1381.1 per ton. 

HDPE export shipments comprised 259,402 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 301,233 tons in the same period in 2024.  Germany was the largest destination for Czech HDPE supplied from Litvinov.  Other important markets for Czech polyethylene exports include Poland, Italy and Belgium. 

Polish polyethylene trade Jan-Oct 2025

Consumption of polyethylene increased slightly in the first ten months in 2025 to 1.185 million tons against 1.178 million tons in the same period in 2024.  Production of polyethylene at Plock was lower in the first ten months, whilst imports increased.  Polyethylene production dropped from 258,000 tons to 236,400 tons.

Polish imports of polyethylene totalled 1.224 million tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 1.164 million tons in the same period in 2024, with average prices falling from €1280.7 per ton to €1228.6 per ton.  HDPE is the largest category of imported polyethylene into Poland, amounting to 397,246 tons in January to October 2025 versus 374,525 tons in 2024.  Germany is the largest supplier of HDPE to the Polish market.  

LLDPE imports rose from 183,646 tons in January to October 2024 to 206,124 tons in the corresponding period in 2025.  Most of the LLDPE imports were sourced from West Europe, including France, the Netherlands and Germany.  LDPE imports declined to 302,727 tons in January to October 2025 from 299,436 tons in the corresponding period in 2024.    Imports from ethylene alpha olefins increased from 239,763 tons to 265,004 tons. 

Polish polyethylene exports amounted to 275,632 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 243,596 tons in the same period in 2024.  Average prices for polyethylene exports increased from €1092.8 per ton to €1130.0 per ton. 

Exports of HDPE from Poland amounted to 163,253 tons in January to October 2025 versus 172,759 tons in the same period in 2024 whilst LDPE exports rose from 46,364 tons to 51,910 tons.  Exports of ethylene alpha olefins amounted to 21,334  tons in the first ten months in 2025.

Hungarian polyethylene trade Jan-Oct 2025

Imports of all grades of polyethylene into Hungary amounted to 154,179 tons in January to October 2025 against 189,820 tons in January to October 2024.  Hungarian import prices for polyethylene rose on average from €1201.0 per ton to €1443.3 in January to October 2025.  The largest category of polyethylene imports comprised HDPE, which dropped from 83,701 tons to 74,802 tons.

Exports of LDPE from Hungary decreased from 46,407 tons in the first ten months in 2024 to 28,535 tons in January-August 2025.  HDPE exports increased from 132,691 tons to 151,402 tons in January-August 2025.  EAO and EVA exports were both negligible.

Hungarian polyethylene exports amounted to 266,129 tons in January to October 2025 against 265,6171 tons in January to October 2024.  Average prices of polyethylene exports dropped from €1247.9 per ton to €1185.4 per ton.  Revenues for polyethylene exports in January to October this year totalled $315.479 million.

Polish PP Trade Jan-Oct 2025

In the first ten months in 2025 polypropylene production in Poland amounted to 316,600 tons against 271,600 tons in the same period in 2024.  Polish polypropylene imports, including homo grade and copolymers, rose to 825,441 tons in the first ten months against 711,676 tons in the same period in 2024.   Average prices for all types of polypropylene imports decreased from €1441.8 per ton to €1404.8 per ton.  Homo grade polypropylene imports rose from 496,083 tons in January to October 2024 to 537,500 tons in the same period in 2025, whilst copolymer imports amounted to 263,764 tons against 240,492 tons.

Export shipments from Poland dropped to 253,659 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 299,312 tons in January to October 2024.  Homo polymer grades comprised the main category of Polish polypropylene exports, where Germany was the largest destination.  Average export prices dropped from €1456.0 per ton in the first ten months last year to €1180.7. 

Grupa Azoty Polyolefins-Orlen offer

Grupa Azoty made an offer to Orlen on 15 December for all the shares of Grupa Azoty Polyolefins.  This represented a response to Orlen’s first offer made on 15 October.  Orlen currently holds 17.3% of Grupa Azoty Polyolefins’s shares.

The value of the counteroffer corresponds to the value of Orlen’s offer and amounts to a total of zl 1.022 billion (€242.3 million).  The counteroffer is non-binding and includes conditions such as completion of the restructuring proceedings of Grupa Azoty Polyolefins, aimed at repaying all debts and claims according to the agreed reduction.  The counteroffer is valid until 31 March 2026, and the completion of the transaction is expected (as in the case of the Orlen Offer) by 30 June. 

Having filed for bankruptcy due to its inability to repay its current liabilities, Grupa Azoty is now looking to offload Polimery Police and the production of polypropylene.  The Polimery Police project was already stretched due to the Group's capabilities at the planning and decision-making stages.  The attempt to finalise the investment by cancelling the contract with Hyundai Engineering have not been successful as the replenished funds of €107 million is not enough to complete the project.

Grupa Azoty announced that the results in the third quarter were significantly affected by one-off events in the plastics segment related to the settlement of the EPC contract for the Polimery Police project. The so-called divestment out of polypropylene is one of the elements of the company's strategy until 2030. 

Hungarian polypropylene trade Jan-Oct 2025

Exports of all forms of polypropylene from Hungary amounted to 198,861 tons in January to October 2025 versus 193,101 tons in the corresponding period in 2024. 

Average prices of exports declined from €1366.8 per ton to €1286.8.  Homo-grade PP provides the main category of Hungarian polypropylene exports, amounting to 104,632 tons in the first ten months this year versus 107,038 tons in January to October 2024.  Exports from propylene copolymers increased from 70,174 tons to 87,7149 tons.

For imports of all forms of polypropylene, Hungarian inward shipments declined to 152,520 tons in January to October 2025 from 179,720 tons in 2024, with average prices declining from €1378.5 per ton to €1310.9 per ton.  Imports of propylene copolymers into Hungary reduced from 46,566 tons to 39,046 tons whilst homo grade polypropylene imports dropped from 114,489 tons to 103,698 tons.  

Czech polypropylene trade Jan-Oct 2025

Exports of all forms of polypropylene from the Czech Republic amounted to 234,572 tons in January to October 2025 versus 251,957 tons in the same period in 2024.  Average export prices rose from €1364.9 per ton in 2024 to €1465.4 per ton in 2025.   Homo-grade PP provides the main category of Czech polypropylene exports, amounting to 189,274 tons in the first ten months in 2025 versus 184,366 tons in the same period in 2024.  

For imports of all forms of polypropylene, Czech inward shipments amounted to 444,542 tons in January to October 2025 against 439,272 tons in the same period in 2024, with average prices dropping from €1599.9 per ton to €1549.1 per ton.  Imports of propylene copolymers increased from 180,582 tons to 183,710 tons whilst homo grade polypropylene imports declined from 247,269 tons to 244,900 tons. 

Hungarian synthetic rubber trade Jan-Oct 2025

Hungarian imports of synthetic rubber amounted to 80,339 tons in January to October against 86,676 tons in January to October 2024.  Average prices dropped from €2443.5 per ton to €2353.8 in 2025. 

Butadiene rubber imports into Hungary increased from 22,752 tons in the first ten months last year to 24,562 tons, with the largest source coming from Indonesia.  SBR imports dropped from 47,040 tons to 44,024 tons. 

Synthetic rubber exports from Hungary amounted to 50,572 tons in the first ten months against 54,442 tons in the same period last year.  Prices for exports increased from €2616.9 per ton to €2797.3 per ton in 2025.  SBR exports amounted to 44,185 tons in the first ten months this year.

Czech rubber trade Jan-Oct 2025

Exports of synthetic rubber from the Czech Republic amounted to 109,071 tons in January to October 2025 versus 109,572 tons in the same period in 2024.  At the same time imports declined from 117,879 tons to 116,374 tons in 2024.  Natural rubber imports rose from 78,173 tons to 85,491 tons.

Rubber prices increased in 2025 for both synthetic and natural rubber.  Czech synthetic rubber export prices jumped from €1734.9 per ton in the first ten months in 2024 to €2006.2 per ton in 2025 whilst import prices jumped from €2085.1 per ton to €2139.5. Natural rubber prices increased last year to €1767.4 per ton from €1732.8 per ton in January to October 2024.

Czech butadiene rubber trade Jan-Oct 2025

The Czech Republic exported 90,098 tons of butadiene rubber in the first ten months in 2025 against 89,188 tons in the same period in 2024.  Average prices rose from €1727.3 per ton to €1872.0 per ton.

Czech exports of butadiene rubber to India amounted to 10,512 tons in January to October 2025 against 14,776 tons in the same period in 2024.  Other important markets included Poland where exports amounted to 10,256 against 9,473 tons.   

Besides exports the Czech Republic imported 22,024 tons of butadiene rubber in the first ten months in 2025 against 25,790 tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports were sourced largely from Germany, the US and Poland.

Polish rubber trade Jan-Oct 2025

For all types of synthetic rubber imports into Poland average prices increased from €1887.1 per ton in January to October 2024 to €2271.1 in the first ten months in 2025.  Due largely to demand side factors Poland reduced volume imports to 192,655 tons in the first ten months against 283,681 tons in the same period last year.  By category, butadiene rubber was the largest product, accounting for 42,906 tons against 64,747 tons in the same period in 2024, whilst EPDM imports dropped from 36,038 tons to 29,530 tons.  Imports of emulsion SBR dropped from 25,042 tons to 7,013 tons.

Germany supplied 28,637 tons of synthetic rubber to the Polish market in the first ten months in 2025, with South Korea supplying 30,592 tons and Saudi Arabia 10,771 tons.  Volumes from the Far East and Middle East are expected to increase in the short to medium term.

In the first ten months this year the manufacture of rubber products amounted to 766,682 tons which was down from 782,437 tons in the same period in 2024.  Only in March, May and August in 2025 did the monthly volumes exceed volumes in 2024.  As with other European tyre manufacturers Polish companies are facing the difficulties of competing on price with Indian products in their own markets despite the lack of quality.  At the same time European manufacturers due to restrictions are not able to compete in the Indian market.   

Synthetic rubber exports from Poland amounted to 211,350 tons in January to October 2025 against 286,757 tons in the same period in 2024.   Exports of butadiene rubber from Poland amounted to 39,636 tons in January to October 2025 versus 61,499 tons in the same period in 2024.   The largest category of rubber exports focuses on SBR grades. 

The largest European market for Polish synthetic rubber exports was the Czech Republic which took 16,729 tons in the first ten months in 2025, an increase over 2024 to compensate for the closure of the ESBR plant at Kralupy.  This was followed by Germany which took 16,027 tons.  The largest non-European destination for Polish synthetic rubber exports in the first ten months this year was Brazil which took 13,385 tons.

Prices of synthetic rubber exports from Poland increased from €1640.1 per ton in the first ten months in 2024 to €1711.0 per ton this year.  Although both import and export volumes for synthetic rubber have been very similar, the prices for imported grades mostly exceed export prices. 

The trend for all forms of trade have been downward since the start of 2023.  India took 13,796 tons of Polish synthetic rubber in the period January to October 2025 against 2,405 tons in the first ten months in 2024.  Exports to Thailand totalled 7,072 tons January to October 2025 and to Brazil 7,785 tons. 

Polish synthetic rubber production Jan-Oct 2025

Synthetic rubber production at Oswiecim for Synthos amounted to 212,600 tons in the first half of 2025 against 216,000 tons in 2024.  Synthos has managed to diversify its export markets, which has allowed the company to increase production over 2023.  Although synthetic rubber production increased in 2024 the extra output was channelled into export activity rather than domestic consumption.

Synthos is currently working with Air Liquide Engineering and Construction for the construction of a new butadiene extraction unit at Plock.  The butadiene extraction technology has been licensed and engineered by Air Liquide Engineering and Construction and is based on the BASF NMP butadiene extraction technology. The extraction unit is expected to have a butadiene capacity of 120,000 tpa, but it remains unclear when the plant will be ready for commissioning.    

Polish benzene exports Jan-Oct 2025

Polish exports of benzene totalled 142,091 tons in January to October 2025 against 130,455 tons in the same period in 2024.  Exports to Germany dropped from 113,922 tons to 106,845 tons in 2025, with average prices dropping from €754.6 per ton to €700.9 per ton.  The average contract price of benzene on the European market declined steadily during 2025.     

Polish PTA exports Jan-Oct 2025

PTA exports amounted to 249,154 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 320,836 tons in the same period in 2024.  Exports to Germany declined from 261,131 tons to 226,099 tons.  Average prices for PTA exports from Poland changed from €772.1 per ton to €696.5 per ton in January to October last year. 

Regarding PTA feedstocks, Orlen largely coped with paraxylene supply for PTA production at Wloclawek in 2025 and thus imports of paraxylene dropped to 2,966 tons in the first ten months against 39,403 tons in the same period in 2024.   However, due to lower PTA production at Wloclawek imports of PTA amounted to 33,322 tons in the first ten months in 2025.

Polish aromatic imports Jan-Oct 2025

Phenol imports into Poland amounted to 87,515 tons in January to October 2025 which was down from 90,987 tons in the same period in 2024.  Germany was the dominant supplier of phenol to Poland, shipping 69,356 tons against 67,665 tons in the same period in 2024.    Spain and Finland accounted for smaller shipments.  Average prices for phenol imported into Poland dropped to €886.9 per ton against €1260.13 per ton in the first ten months in 2024.  

In other product areas, styrene imports into Poland amounted to 88,096 tons in the period January to October 2025 against 73,692 tons in the same period in 2024.  Aside the Netherlands and Belgium, other supplies came from the US and Saudi Arabia.  Both US and Saudi shipments represent relatively new sources of product for the Polish market.  Average prices for styrene imports into Poland dropped from €1353.5 per ton in the first ten months last year to €1165.8 per ton.

Ethylbenzene imports amounted to 72,436 tons against 64,844 tons in the same period last year.  All the ethylbenzene was shipped from Kralupy to Oswiecim, all within the structures of the Synthos Group.

Grupa Azoty’s caprolactam plant at Tarnow produced 80,000 tons in the first ten months against 87,000 tons in the same period in 2024.  Due to the idle production at Pulawy Poland has become a net importer of caprolactam in the past few years.  Caprolactam imports into Poland amounted to 6,228 tons in the first ten months in 2025 versus 10,884 tons in the same period in 2024. 

Czech aromatic exports Jan-Oct 2025

Czech aniline exports amounted to 57,562 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 70,417 tons in the same period in 2024.  Shipments to Hungary amounted to 46,828 tons in January to October 2025 against 60,696 tons.  BorsodChem MCHZ is undergoing a major reconstruction after deciding the existing infrastructure was no longer reliable and did not meet current standards. In cooperation with ABB, a complete network renewal is underway with production in full operation.

In other areas of Czech aromatic exports benzene increased to 23,765 tons in January to October 2025 against 18,244 tons in the same period in 2024, whilst toluene exports rose from 8,547 tons to 11,341 tons.  Ethylbenzene exports amounted to 75,369 tons against 81,813 tons.

Czech aromatic imports Jan-Oct 2025

Styrene imports into the Czech Republic amounted to 33,150 tons in the first ten months against 19,015 tons in the same period in 2024.  The Netherlands increased shipments from 9,806 tons to 13,790 tons whilst supplies from Germany increased to 15,273 tons against 5,039 tons.  Benzene imports into the Czech Republic in the first ten months in 2025 amounted to 18,227 tons against 33,495 tons in January to October 2024.  Benzene imports are sourced from Poland, Hungary and Serbia.  Toluene imports dropped from 3,765 tons to 3,150 tons.

Czech Bisphenol A imports & epoxy resin exports  

Bisphenol A imports into the Czech Republic totalled 25,570 tons in January to October 2025 against 26,584 tons in the same period in 2024.  South Korea increased shipments from 21,490 tons to 23,847 tons.  The largest user of bisphenol A in the Czech Republic is Spolchemie at Ust nad Labem, where epoxy resins are produced.  

Czech exports of epoxy resins amounted to 43,936 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 42,196 tons in 2024.  Prices rose from €2549.3 per ton to €2681.3 per ton in 2025.  Germany remains the largest market for Czech epoxy resins, accounting for 17,522 tons in the first ten months in 2025 which was up from 15,695 tons in same period in 2024. 

Hungarian aromatics Jan-Oct 2025

Imports of benzene increased from 11,499 tons to 29,475 tons in January to October 2025.  Imports from Poland increased from 14,537 tons to 35,457 tons whilst shipments arrived from Serbia this year and amounted to 8,299 tons in the first ten months. 

Exports of benzene from Hungary amounted to 32,816 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 32,970 tons in the same period in 2024.  Shipments to Germany increased from 7,912 tons to 11,495 tons and to France from 6,447 tons to 12,956 tons in the same period in 2024. Average prices for Hungarian benzene exports dropped from €658.1 per ton to €622.1 per ton.

Toluene imports into Hungary amounted to 23,037 tons in the first ten months this year against 34,765 tons in the same period in 2024.  Average prices dropped from €1029.9 per ton to €934.2 per ton.  Styrene imports dropped from 47,873 tons in the ten months of 2024 against 44,641 tons in the same period this year.  Imports are dominated by shipments from Italy where volumes amounted to 38,566 tons in the first ten months this year.

Hungarian TDI-MDI exports Jan-Oct 2025

Hungarian TDI exports January to October 2025 amounted to 196,965 tons against 210,804 tons in January to October 2024.  Average prices dropped from €1969.8 per ton to €2144.2 per ton. 

Exports of TDI from Hungary to Belgium amounted to 22,311 in the first ten months in 2025 against 29,883 tons in January to October last year, whilst volumes to Italy rose from 25,282 tons to 27,120 tons. 

Shipments to Poland increased from 25,114 tons to 31,233 tons and dropped to Turkey from 31,472 tons to 21,850 tons.  Shipments to Romania dropped from 11,879 tons to 9,279 tons. 

MDI exports from Hungary amounted in January to October to 192,419 tons against 156,932 tons in January to October 2024.  MDI export prices dropped to €1765.6 per ton against €1935.1 per ton in 2024.     Poland was the largest destination for Hungarian MDI exports, taking 43,408 tons in the first ten months in 2024 versus 28,893 tons in January to October 2025.  Exports to Italy increased from 3,271 tons to 15,280 tons.

Central European isocyanate trade Jan-Oct 2025

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) prices are currently influenced by a mix of demand fluctuations, supply chain challenges, and trade-related uncertainties, with varying impacts across different regions. While some reports indicate price decreases due to weaker demand in Europe, others point to rising prices driven by supply chain issues and increased demand in other areas. Additionally, concerns about dumping and anti-dumping investigations are impacting imports from certain countries.

TDI imports into Poland amounted to a total of 63,011 tons in January to October 2025 against 62,889 tons in January to October 2024.   Prices of TDI imported into Poland dropped from €1999.9 per ton in 2024 to €1740.3 per ton.  Hungary was the largest supplier in the first ten months in 2025, shipping 31,398 tons to Poland versus 25,716 tons in January to October 2024.   

MDI imports into Poland totalled 155,474 tons in January to October 2025, up against 142,335 tons in January to October 2024.  Average prices were down slightly in the first ten months against last year, amounting to €1814.8 per ton.  Germany increased MDI shipments to Poland to 49,948 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 39,520 tons in January to October 2024, whilst imports from Hungary increased to 43,801 tons against 33,649 tons.  Belgium shipped 29,724 tons of MDI to Poland in the first ten months, down from 29,744 tons whilst South Korea increased shipments from 7,304 tons to 12,293 tons.

MDI imports into the Czech Republic totalled 34,959 tons in January to October 2025 against 34,751 tons in the same period in 2024.  Average prices declined from €2080.4 per ton last year to €1896.5 per ton.    The leading supplier so far this year was Belgium which shipped 8,702 tons against 8,512 tons in January to October 2024. 

Czech polyol imports Jan-Oct 2025

Czech polyol imports amounted to 39,311 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 38,046 tons in the same period in 2024.  Belgium supplied 10,656 tons against 10,851 tons in the same period in 2024. Average prices dropped to €2131.9 per ton against €2306.2.  Other suppliers included Germany which shipped 6,205 tons against 6,365 tons last year and the Netherlands increased shipments from 4,280 tons to 7,051 tons.

Hungarian polyol imports Jan-Oct 2025

Imports of polyols into Hungary rose in the first ten months this year to 34,793 against 28,797 tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports from China amounted to 11,292 tons in the period January to October 2025 against 10,002 tons in January to October 2024. 

Polish polyol trade Jan-Oct 2025

Polish polyol imports amounted to 123,466 tons in January to October against 118,770 tons in the same period in 2024.  Germany was the largest supplier, increasing shipments to 28,810 tons whilst the Netherlands reduced deliveries from 28,609 tons to 24,547 tons.  

Polyol import prices into Poland dropped from €1821.3 per ton to €1674.1 per ton.  Despite the overall decline in average prices in 2025 for both exports and imports of polyols, prices in Europe did show a slight improvement in the latter part of the year even if there is no indication of a sustained rise.  The European polyether market was  fairly balanced in terms of supply and demand in 2025, but at the same production and consumption have both been lower than in 2024. 

Polish polyol exports amounted to 44,195 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 46,192 tons in the same period in 2024.  Italy was the largest destination for Polish polyol exports, mainly produced by PCC Rokita, taking 6,371 tons in the first ten months followed by Germany with shipments of 4,843 tons.  Average prices dropped from €2115.2 per ton to €1919.9 2025. 

Around two thirds of polyol production for PCC Rokita are exported from the Brzeg Dolny site and mostly to European destinations.  The company focuses essentially on two polyol groups, polyester and polyether.  Sales of polyester polyols in the Polish market were higher for PCC Rokita in 2024, whilst demand for polyether polyols was more restricted.  PCC Rokita has been close to using its full production capacity for polyester polyols which go mostly into polyurethane insulation panels.  For polyether polyols, the key market is flexible foams which are used mainly in the furniture industry.  In the first three quarters in 2025, the polyurethanes segment for PCC Rokita recorded weaker results compared to 2024.  The segment's EBITDA fell 49.8% to zl 18.2 million (€4.27 million), whilst sales volumes rose slightly from 66,500 tons to 67,100 tons.   

Hungarian maleic anhydride exports Jan-Oct 2025

Hungary exported 10,635 tons of maleic anhydride in January to October against 19,092 tons in January to October 2024.  Average prices rose from €1183.1 per ton to €1284.6 per ton.  Exports of maleic anhydride to Poland from Hungary dropped from 5,573 tons in the first ten months in 2024 to 1,553 tons in the same period in 2025.   

Hungarian organic chemical exports Jan-Oct 2025

Exports of organic chemicals from Hungary totalled 313,508 tons in the first ten months this year, down from 401,206 tons in the same period in 2024.  The largest commodity in the organic chemical sector is TDI, accounting for 41% of Hungarian organic chemical exports in January to October by volume and 33% by value. 

Overall, the value of organic chemical exports from Hungary amounted to €929.942 million in the first ten months which was down from €1.249 billion in January to October 2024.  Import volumes for organic chemicals into Hungary in the first ten months in 2025 amounted to 577,330 tons against 605,300 tons last year, with import costs dropping from €1.276 billion to €1.084 million.  The major organic chemical imports include methanol, toluene, aniline and acrylonitrile. 

Hungarian aniline & acrylonitrile imports Jan-Oct 2025

Aniline imports into Hungary dropped from 73,919 tons in January to October 2024 to 47,769 tons January to October 2025.  Inward shipments from BorsodChem-MCHZ in the Czech Republic amounted to 47,769 tons against 62,574 tons in January to October 2024.  Cost prices of aniline imports rose from €1419.5 per ton to €1448.3 per ton.

Acrylonitrile imports into Hungary rose in the first ten months to 15,439 tons from 12,680 tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports from the Netherlands increased from 9,664 tons to 12,653 tons.  Average prices for acrylonitrile imports amounted to €1571.5 per ton versus €1497.8 per ton last year.

Polish organic chemical imports Jan-Oct 2025

Exports of organic chemicals from Poland dropped by volume to 1.212 million tons in January to October 2025 from 1.306 million tons in the same period in 2024, whilst imports rose from 2.934 million tons to 3.390 million tons.  Export values increased from €827.9 million to €879.2 million, whilst import values rose from €2.286 billion to €2.467 billion.   A problem for some organic chemical exports, particularly oxo alcohols, consumers have sought to minimise their purchases, anticipating further price declines.  Prices for many products have dropped this year due to lower raw material costs and weak demand. 

Methanol is the largest organic chemical imported into Poland, with volumes totalling 504,956 tons in January to October 2025 against 563,935 tons in the same period in 2024.   For other organic chemical imports Poland imported 35,022 tons of acetic acid in January to October against 31,300 tons in January to October 2024.  The US provided 24,342 tons in the first ten months, replacing the UK as the leading supplier in 2024.  Ethyl acetate imports into Poland amounted to 11,311 tons in January to October 2025 against 14,276 tons in January to October 2024.  Belgium provided the largest share of imports.  VAM imports into Poland increased to 29,170 tons versus 17,828 tons.   

Maleic anhydride imports into Poland amounted to 8,458 tons in January-October 2025, versus 9,649 tons in the previous year.  Imports are currently sourced from Germany, Hungary and South Korea. 

Isopropanol imports into Poland amounted to 13,366 tons in January-October 2025, up from 10,595 tons in the previous year.  Aside Germany, imports come from the Netherlands and South Africa. 

Polish glycol/oxide imports Jan-Oct 2025

Ethylene glycol imports into Poland dropped in the first ten months in 2025 to 27,195 tons versus 46,062 tons in January to October 2024.  Belgium is the main supplier of glycols to the Polish market.  DEG imports increased to 23,900 tons against 23,762 tons.

Polish organic chemical exports Jan-Oct 2025

Regarding export activity in organic chemicals, Polish shipments of monochloroacetic acid (MCAA) amounted to 26,371 tons in the first ten months in 2025.   MCAA production is undertaken by the PCC Group at Brzeg Dolny. 

Other organic chemical exports from Poland include glycerol where shipments amounted to 31,985 tons in January-October 2025 versus 28,530 tons in January to October 2024.   The main markets for Polish acetone exports included Italy, Germany, Romania and Lithuania. 

Methanol exports amounted to 180,777 tons in the first ten months this year against 172,694 tons in January to October 2024.  Butyl acetate exports from Poland dropped from 6,266 tons in January to October 2024 to 4,227 tons in the same period in 2025. Solvent Wistol is the sole producer of n-butyl acetate in Poland. The Polish market for butyl acetate is relatively stable, with production expected to remain around 18,000 tons.  

Czech organic chemical trade Jan-Oct 2025

Czech organic chemical exports amounted in value to €823.9 million in the first ten months in 2025 against €1.050 billion in the same period in 2024, with volumes dropping from 471,000 tons to 423,500 tons. 

Imports of organic chemicals into the Czech Republic declined from €1.088 billion to €1.082 billion, whilst import volumes dropped from 572,700 tons to 557,500 tons.   Czech imports of organic chemicals are led by methanol where volumes amounted to 48,421 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 49,905 tons in the same period in 2024.  2-EH imports amounted to 17,144 tons against 18,013 tons whilst imports of DINP plasticizers increased to 10,435 tons which was due to extended downtime at the Czech producer Deza.

Czech methanol imports Jan-Oct 2025

Czech imports of methanol amounted to 48,421 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 49,905 tons in the same period in 2024.  Prices per ton for methanol imports increased from €396.6 to €431.0 per ton.  

Poland supplied 14,179 tons to the Czech Republic in the first ten months in 2025 against 35,238 tons in the same period in 2024.  The US supplied 13,399 tons in January to October 2025, whilst the other sources of supply come from Estonia and Germany.

Hungarian methanol imports Jan-Oct 2025

Methanol imports into Hungary in January to October increased to 85,600 tons against 82,855 tons in January to October 2024.  Imports from Germany decreased from 39,577 tons to 26,249 tons, replacing sources from Poland and Slovakia. 

Imports from Slovenia into Hungary amounted to 12,355 tons in the first ten months, against 15,474 tons in the same period in 2024.  Average prices of methanol imports into Hungary amounted to €452.1 per ton against €425.0 per ton in 2024.

Polish methanol trade Jan-Oct 2025

Polish imports of methanol amounted to 398,218 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 431,381 tons in January to October 2024.    Average prices in the first ten months amounted to €372.1 per ton against €325.6 per ton last year. 

Trinidad was the largest supplier of methanol to Poland in the first ten months in 2025, shipping 87,611 tons followed by the US which shipped 80,752 tons.  The US has been a new supplier in recent months, rising from 4,969 tons in the same period last year. 

Venezuela reduced shipments to Poland from 112,172 tons in January to October 2024 to 42,572 tons whilst imports from Belgium declined from 104,258 tons to 30,000 tons.  Tanker deliveries from Venezeula managed to get through the US blockade in December, so deliveries were not expected to be affected before the end of the year.  

Exports of methanol from Poland amounted to 136,973 tons in January to October 2025, rising from 131,635 tons in the same period in January to October 2024.  Polish methanol export prices increased in the first ten months in 2025 to €425.6 per ton measured against €382.2 per ton in 2024.  At the start of 2025 there was a considerable price gap between export and import prices for methanol into and out of Poland, but from the third quarter onwards prices narrowed sharply to some degree of parity.

The largest destination for Polish exports was Germany which took 72,332 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 65,948 tons in the same period in 2024.  Ukraine imported 15,732 tons in the first ten months, against 16,465 tons last year. 

Russian chemical production Jan-Oct 2025

Russian ethylene production amounted to 3.707 million tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 3.832 million tons in January to October 2024, whilst propylene production dropped from 2.132 million tons to 2.120 million tons.  Benzene production fell from 1.134 million tons to 1.039 million tons with the drop starting to affect styrene producers.  In other area of aromatic production toluene dropped from 324,429 tons to 268,232 tons, whilst orthoxylene rose from 104,817 tons to 130,096 tons and paraxylene rose from 146,243 tons to 153,066 tons.

Ethylene glycol production dropped from 384,524 tons to 321,587 tons, mainly due to the reduction of ethylene deliveries from Kstovo to Dzerzhinsk in early 2025 due to drone damage.  Other products affected by drones include acetic acid where volumes dropped from 200,982 tons in the period January to October 2024 to 153,223 tons this year.  Production at the Nevinnomyssk plant was affected partially in July and August after Ukrainian drones struck the Azot on two occasions.   Methanol production at Nevinnomyssk was also affected in August after it was attacked in late July.  Overall, though total methanol production in Russia increased from 3.083 million tons in the first ten months in 2024 to 3.134 million tons in 2025.

Russian polymer production Jan-Sep 2025

Russian production of plastics in primary forms declined by 1.4% in the first ten months of 2025.  Polyolefin production has risen slightly this year but there was a slowdown in the third quarter.  Synthetic rubber production increased despite decreased consumption within the domestic industry and was primarily driven by higher exports to China.   The production of synthetic rubbers in primary forms increased by 1.8% over the year, but over half of the production was exported to China.  The production of rubber products in Tatarstan fell by 26.4% in 2025 against 2024, although the manufacture of plastic products increased by 14.6%.

Russian polymer market diffculties

Despite stability in production numbers the Russian polymer market is starting to feel the effects of a stagnating economy.  The year 2025 was marked by a decrease in demand from polymer and synthetic rubber processors, which created unfavourable conditions for polymer and synthetic rubber producers.  Polymer consumption in main application areas such as car production and construction suffered significantly in 2025.   Russia's largest petrochemical companies, including industry leader SIBUR Holding and its key assets Kazanorgsintez and Nizhnekamskneftekhim, are showing a sharp deterioration in financial results against an environment in falling prices and falling demand for polymers.  In the first nine months in 2025 SIBUR reported a threefold drop in sales profits, and its subsidiaries in Tatarstan showed a total loss of 5.8 billion roubles for the third quarter.

Russian ethylene production Jan-Oct 2025

Russian ethylene production totalled 3.030 million tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 3.086 million tons in January to October 2024. 

ZapSibNeftekhim at Tobolsk produced 1.004 million tons in January to October 2025, down from 1.039 million tons from January to October 2024.  Stavrolen at Budyennovsk reduced production from 224,211 tons to 164,724 tons in 2025.  Production in the Volga region increased from 1.503 million tons in the first ten months last year to 1.508 million tons in the same period this year. 

Russian propylene production Jan-Oct 2025

Russian propylene production totalled 1.689 million tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 1.723 million tons in the same period in 2024.  ZapSibNeftekhim at Tobolsk reduced production from 665.231 tons in January to October 2024 to 626,633 tons this year, whilst the plants in the Volga region increased production from 633,824 tons to 650,124 tons.  Production at the Budyennovsk plant in the North Caucasus rose from 92,317 tons to 94,691 tons whilst in Siberia the combined production of the Tomsk and Angarsk plant resulted in 317,500 tons versus 331,150 tons last year.

Russian butadiene production Jan-Oct 2025

Russian butadiene production increased in the first ten months of 2025 to 423,043 tons versus 463,635 tons in the same period last year.  Production at the three sites in the Volga region dropped from 178,346 tons to 161,451 tons.

Russian benzene production Jan-Oct 2025

Benzene production amounted to 1.035 million tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 1.134 million tons in the same period in 2024.  The Volga region for benzene production is the largest in Russia, reducing production from 672,891 tons in 2024 to 637,390 tons in 2025.  In recent months a benzene shortage was formed against the background of the growing involvement of aromatic hydrocarbons in the production of gasoline.  Processing at Russian oil refineries has been under pressure from drones, causing fuel shortages, and affecting benzene supply.   Overall aromatic compound production dropped by 6.5% in the first ten months in 2024.

Styrene production amounted to 569,993 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 615,549 tons in the same period in 2024.  Production in the Volga region takes place at Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Gazprom neftekhim Salavat, and the region accounted for 502,626 tons in the period January to October 2025, down from 555,084 tons in 2024.  Styrene production elsewhere in Russia takes place in Siberia, at Angarsk Polymer Plant.

Russian plastics production Jan-Oct 2025

Russian bulk plastics production amounted to 8.888 million tons in January to October 2025 against 9.096 million tons in the same period in 2024.  Production of total bulk plastics had achieved record levels in July bolstered by increases in polyolefin production at Kazanorgsintez and Nizhnekamskneftekhim, but volumes have since dropped off with both PVC and styrene polymers witnessing falls.  Regarding applications, pipe production from polymers declined from 778,214 tons in the first ten months in 2024 to 670,778 tons in the same period in 2025.

Production of ethylene polymers in Russia amounted to 3.112 million tons in January to October 2025, up from 3.002 million tons in the same period in 2024. 

Russian polymer production Jan-Oct 2025

Ethylene polymer production increased to 3.093 million tons in the first ten months against 3.001 million tons in the same period in 2024, whilst the production oof propylene polymers increased from 1.741 million tons to 1.793 million tons.  

Production of synthetic rubbers in the first ten months of 2025 amounted to 1.183 tons, against 1.169 tons than in the same period last year. The largest share of the increase was recorded in the first quarter.  Overall, the production of synthetic rubber increased in 2025 on the basis of increased exports to China, helping to offset the decline in rubber consumption by the tyre industry. 

Regional production of ethylene polymers Jan-Oct 2025

The largest plant for the production of ethylene polymers is ZapSibNeftekhim at Tobolsk, located in the Ural Federal District.  ZapSibNeftekhim produced 1.293 million tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 1.335 million tons in January to October 2024, nearly all of which comprised main polyethylene grades HDPE and LLDPE.

The second largest region in Russia is the Volga Federal District where production increased from 935,143 tons in January to October 2024 to 1.073 million tons in January to October 2025.  The Volga district includes producers from Bashkortostan including Gazprom neftekhim Salavat and Ufaorgsintez, and from Tatarstan Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Kazanorgsintez.   

Russian polyethylene trade Jan-Oct 2025

Russian polyethylene exports to China increased from 283,052 tons in January to October 2024 to 367,292 tons in the same period in 2025, with both HDPE and LDPE showing rises.   Average prices for Russian polyethylene exports to China dropped from $877.8 per ton to $832.9 per ton in the first ten months in 2025. 

Inward shipments of polyethylene from China into Russia dropped in the ten months to 66,583 tons against 88,016 tons in January to October 2024.  Average prices increased from $1434.8 per ton to $1623.2 per ton in 2025.  The largest volume of imports consisted of ethylene-hexene copolymers where shipments into Russia amounted to 19,572 tons against 23,603 tons in the same period in 2024. 

The production of ethylene-hexene polymers in Russia will soon be available in large volumes from the new hexene plant at Nizhnekamsk.  For other product areas, Chinese shipments of HDPE to the Russian market dropped from 9,860 tons in the ten months in 2024 to 4.303 tons in the same period this year whilst LLDPE volumes dropped from 24,996 tons to 17,747 tons. 

Imports of polyethylene shipments into Russia from South Korea dropped in the ten months to 53,012 tons from 98,052 tons in the same period last year.  Average prices dropped from $1334.1 per ton to $1226.8 per ton.

Russian polypropylene production Jan-Oct 2025

Russian production of propylene polymers totalled 1.780 million tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 1.760 million tons in the same period in 2024.  ZapSibNeftekhim increased production from 865,597 tons to 898,175 tons in January to October 2025, whilst Stavrolen at Budyennovsk increased production slightly from 103,844 to 111,816 tons.   The Siberian Federal District includes polypropylene plants at Omsk and Tomsk, where production fell from 285,556 tons to 275,679 tons.

Russian polypropylene trade Jan-Oct 2025

Revenues from Russian exports of polypropylene homo grade to China increased from $57.412 million in the first ten months last year to $106.223 million in the same period in 2025.  Russian polypropylene exports increased from 68,251 tons to 130,048 tons.  

Chinese exports of propylene polymers dropped to 26,233 tons in the first ten months against 33,880 tons in the same period last year.  Prices amounted to $2004.7 per ton in 2025, up from $1960.8 in 2024. 

South Korean exports of propylene copolymers dropped in the first ten months to 19,445 tons against 34,783 tons in the same period in 2024.

Russian PVC market Jan-Oct 2025

PVC emulsion imports from China into Russia increased from 51,783 tons in the first ten months in 2024 to 64,356 tons in the same period in 2025.  Suspension grade imports increased from 49,607 tons to 72,312 tons.  Overall PVC shipments from China to Russia increased from 101,390 tons in the first ten months in 2024 to 136,668 tons in the same period this year.  Overall, the production of PVC suspension grade in Russia amounted to 626,655 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 745,421 in the same period in 2024.  Production of PVC suspension grade in Siberia decreased from 225,826 tons to 171,965 tons in the first ten months this year.  Emulsion grade PVC production dropped from 24,860 tons in January to October 2024 to 21,122 tons in the same period in 2025.   

Russian PX-PTA production Jan-Oct 2025

Russian paraxylene production amounted to 165,531 tons in the first ten months of 2025 against 216,064 tons in the same period in 2024.  Gazprom Neft at Omsk reduced production from 66,249 tons to 41,559 tons whilst Ufaneftekhim reduced production from 105,647 tons to 87,648 tons.  Polief gets around 75% of paraxylene from Bashneft and the remainder from Gazprom Neft. 

PTA production at Polief amounted to 267,691 tons in the first ten months of 2025 against 299,344 tons in the same period in 2024.

The Russian Ministry of Finance has proposed a tax deduction for paraxylene consumers which could help Polief and to encourage investment into new PTA facilities.    There is only one PTA project of 1 million tpa in the Russian investment pipeline which is planned by Tatneft at the Taneko refinery.  Regarding Polief, SIBUR does not plan to expand its capacity and considers its PX-PTA chain to be balanced.  Polief provides PTA for further after processing into PET in the Tver region as in Bashkortostan.

Russian PET production Jan-Oct 2025

Ekopet produced 193,364 tons of PET in the first ten months of 2025 against 180,394 tons in the same period in 2024, whilst the combined plants of Senezh and SIBUR-PETF produced 177,130 tons against 159,803 tons.  Polief reduced PET production in the first ten months in 2025 to 156,774 tons versus 180,857 tons last year.  PET production in Russia amounted to a total of 527,268 tons in the first ten months in 2025 against 521,024 tons in the same period in 2024. 

Russian PTA-MEG imports Jan-Oct 2025

Russian PTA imports from China amounted to 263,786 tons in the first ten months in 2025 versus 239,732 tons in the same period in 2024 and versus 202,638 tons in 2023.  The PTA imports from China are shipped to Ekopet at Kaliningrad by a combination of rail direct and by sea and rail.  PTA import prices averaged $619.4 in the first ten months which was down from $751.1 in January to October 2024.  Values of PTA imports amounted to $163.387 million against $180.052 million in the first ten months in 2024.