Czech crude imports Jan-May 2025

The Czech Republic officially announced in April that it had ended its 60-year dependence on Russian oil.  It marks the end of a process that has been ongoing since Russia s invasion of Ukraine.   Previously, the Czech Republic was dependent solely on the Druzhba pipeline which has now been replaced by TAL.

Imports of Russian crude into the Czech Republic dropped from 1.099 million tons in the first five months in 2024 to 526,900 tons in the same period this year.  May imports from Russia amounted to zero, whilst new sources appeared from Norway and Saudi Arabia.  Azerbaijan increased crude shipments to the Czech Republic to 1.195 tons against 1.072 million tons. 

Hungarian crude imports Jan-May 2025

Hungary imported a total of 2.381 million tons of crude from Russia in the first five months in 2025 against 1.846 million tons in 2024.  Crude imports into Hungary rose from 1.847 million tons in the first five months last year to 2.381 million tons.  Croatia provided a reasonable volume in May and this trend is expected to continue in 2025.   MOL Group has recently taken delivery of a crude cargo from Azerbaijan, as part of an agreement signed earlier this year aimed at boosting imports of Azeri crude from the BP-operated Shah Deniz offshore field.  The crude oil was delivered to the Omisalj terminal having departed from the Ceyhan terminal in Turkey. 

Other Druzhba news

Ukratransnafta restarted the transit of oil to European consumers in early July, using the Druzhba pipeline. This became possible after MOL conducted additional analysis of the oil currently held in the pipeline and confirmed their readiness to accept it.  MOL estimates that if it stopped using Russian oil, it would cost Hungary an extra €450-540 million and claims that there is no guarantee that the Hungarian and Slovakian refineries would be able to operate without Russian oil. At the same time Hungary benefits from the new price cap imposed as part of the eighteenth package of EU sanctions. The EU is lowering the price cap for crude oil from $60 to $47.6 per barrel, to align it with current global oil prices.  It is also introducing an automatic and dynamic mechanism to modify the oil price cap and ensure that this price cap is effective.

Tengizchevroil (TCO) in West Kazakhstan exported its first oil to Germany in June via the Druzhba pipeline, supplying a shipment of 100,000 tons.  TCO is owned by Chevron with a 50% stake, ExxonMobil with 25%, KazMunayGaz with 20%, and Lukoil with 5%.  Tengiz is Kazakhstan s largest oilfield and the use of the Druzhba could be an important development for European energy.  Kazakhstan plans to export 1.5 million tonnes of oil to Germany in 2025, mirroring the 2024 target. In 2023, the volume reached 993,000 tonnes

Polish crude imports Jan-May 2025

From the total of 10.194 million tons of crude imported into Poland in the first five months this year, supplies from Saudi Arabia totalled 5.041 million tons followed by Norway which provided 2.856 million tons.     Other supplies came from the US, UK, Nigeria and Guyana. 

Polish petrochemical production Jan-May 2025

Ethylene production in Poland dropped from 152,200 tons in January to May last year to 125,500 tons in January to May 2025 as Orlen reduced cracker utilisation. Polish propylene production dropped slightly from 168,800 tons to 166,100 tons. 

Butadiene production at Plock dropped marginally to 24,378 tons from 24,585 tons last year.  Nearly all of the butadiene produced at Plock is consumed by Synthos.  In other areas of petrochemical production phenol dropped slightly from 17,148 tons to 16,561 tons, whilst the resumption of toluene production meant that volumes rose from only 16 tons in the first five months last year to 8,518 tons in 2025.

In the plastics sector polyethylene production in Poland amounted to 124,100 tons in January to May 2025 versus 132,100 tons in January to May 2024. By contrast, polypropylene production increased from 143,600 tons to 183,100 tons due to additional output from the Police plant.  PVC production at Wloclawek decreased from 97,800 tons to 41,300 tons. 

Orlen decides against investment in Polimery Police

After an extended timeline of negotiations between Orlen and Grupa Azoty, Orlen has not decided to add to its existing share of 17.5% in Grupa Azoty Polyolefins.   Challenges in the European petrochemical market involving energy costs and demand represent two of the underlying causes.  

Orlen’s current focus has been consolidating its position in renewables and downstream energy assets. This shift aligns with broader trends in European energy markets, where companies are prioritizing low-carbon investments over traditional petrochemicals.  Technical challenges at Grupa Azoty s Polimery Police facility, particularly the underperforming PDH unit, may have deterred Orlen.  Persistent operational disruptions could moreover signal higher-than-expected costs for maintenance or restructuring, making the asset less attractive. 

Polish propylene imports, Jan-May 2025

Poland imported 38,854 tons of propylene in January to May this year against 46,041 tons in the same period in 2024.  At the same time Poland exported 8,379 tons of propylene, supplied by Grupa Azoty Polyolefins from the Polimery Police plant.  In the first five months this year Germany was the main supplier to Poland, shipping 32,674 tons against 39,939 tons in January to May 2024.  Average import prices for propylene imports into Poland increased from €829.3 per ton to €960.4 in January to May 2025. 

Polish butadiene imports, Jan-May 2025

Butadiene import prices for Poland rose from €798.1 per ton on average in the five months last year to €930.8 in January to May 2025, with import volumes rising from 42,397 tons to 47,762 tons.   Synthos is the major importer of butadiene in Poland.   

Germany was the largest supplier in the five months this year, shipping 17,331 tons against 9,110 tons in 2024.  The increase in butadiene imports has been driven primarily by the increase in synthetic rubber production at Oswiecim.

Hungarian propylene and butadiene imports, Jan-May 2025

Exports of propylene from Hungary amounted to 38,496 tons in January to May 2025 against 46,383 tons in 2024.  Shipments from MOL’s plant at Tiszaujvaros to Slovnaft in Slovakia dropped from 45,347 tons to 28,678 tons.  Prices averaged €1040.4 per ton in the first five months this year, down slightly against €1047.9 per ton in the same period in 2024. 

Hungarian butadiene exports dropped to 19,032 tons in the first five months in 2025 against 27,840 tons in the same period in 2024. Shipments into Poland dropped from 17,432 tons in January to May 2024 to 16,112 tons whilst exports to Germany dropped to zero from 6,139 tons in the same period in 2024.  Average prices for Hungarian butadiene exports increased to €832.3 per ton versus €802.3 in 2024.

Czech olefin monomer trade, Jan-May 2025

Czech propylene imports amounted to 27,421 tons in January to May 2025 against 16,132 tons in January to May last year.  Imports came from Germany and Poland.  Shipments from Poland increased to 8,380 tons in the first five months this year from 2,046 tons last year, which was mainly due to the extra availability from the Polimery Police plant.  Butadiene imports amounted to 33,240 tons in January to May, rising from 18,059 tons last year.

Ethylene exports from the Czech Republic amounted to 5,870 tons in the first five months this year, up from 4,696 tons in 2024 whilst propylene dropped from 5,388 tons to just 77 tons. 

Orlen Unipetrol suffered a power outage at the refinery and petrochemical plant at Litvinov on 4 July which interrupted production for several days.  The company announced a force majeure event, but the disruption was minor in the end. This follows a planned turnaround at Litvinov for two months which started in April. 

Central European styrene market

Styrene imports into Hungary totalled 25,533 tons in the first five months in 2025 against 27,923 tons in the same period in 2024. Italy accounted for 23,276 tons of styrene imports into Hungary which was down from 25,022 tons in 2024. Prices for styrene imports into Hungary amounted to €1313.8 per ton against €1435.1 per ton in 2024.

Styrene imports into Poland totalled 41,251 tons in the period January to May 2025 against 53,651 tons in the same period in 2024.  The largest supplier was Saudi Arabia which shipped 10,563 tons against 7,578 tons in the same five months last year.  Belgium reduced shipments to Poland from 14,295 tons in the five months last year to 10,228 tons this year.  Average prices for imports into Poland dropped from €1371.0 per ton in the five months last year to €1175.8 ton this year.

Styrene imports into the Czech Republic amounted to 17,013 tons in the first five months in 2025, of which the Netherlands supplied 8,678 tons.  Styrene is used by Synthos at Kralupy to produce different grades of synthetic rubber.

Central European Polyolefin Trade  

Czech polyethylene trade

For imports of all forms of polyethylene, Czech inward shipments amounted to 125,424 tons in January to May 2025 against 128,903 tons in January to May 2024.  Average prices rose from €1501.4 per ton to €1543.5 per ton.  Germany was the largest source of polyethylene imports, followed by the Netherlands and Belgium. 

Polyethylene exports from the Czech Republic amounted to 141,992 tons in the first five months measured against 169,359 tons in January to May 2024.  Average prices increased from €1392.2 per ton to €1402.6 per ton in this year.

HDPE export shipments from Litvinov comprised 117,822 tons in the first five months against 143,908 tons in the same period last year. 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-May 2025

Despite the fall in polyethylene production at Plock in the five months this year the market balance increased from 568,500 tons in January to May 2024 to 592,500 tons. Export volumes have been similar this year, whilst imports increased by around 23,000 tons.   The outlook for polyethylene consumption has shown some tentative signs of improvement in 2025, although demand for recycled polyethylene is showing faster growth than virgin product.

Polish imports of polyethylene totalled 598,325 tons in January to May 2025 against 567,640 tons in the same period in 2024, with average prices falling from €1310.6 per ton to €1279.4 per ton.  In addition to the European suppliers to Poland, Saudi Arabia and the US provided 65,260 tons and 75,371 tons respectively in the five months. 

HDPE is the largest category of imported polyethylene into Poland, amounting to 188,309 tons in January to May 2025 versus 179,530 tons in January to May 2024.  Germany is the largest supplier of HDPE to the Polish market.   

LLDPE imports rose from 89,326 tons in January to May last year to 105,531 tons in the corresponding period in 2025.  Most of the LLDPE imports were sourced mostly from West Europe, including France, the Netherlands and Germany.  LDPE imports increased to 145,870 tons versus 145,056 tons in January to May last year. Imports from ethylene alpha olefins increased to 120,001 tons against 128,487 tons.

Polish polyethylene exports amounted to 130,047 tons in January to May this year, slightly down from 131,222 tons in the first five months in 2024.  A total of 48,370 tons was exported to Germany in the five months and was the largest destination.  Average prices for polyethylene exports from Poland increased in the five months to €1187.6 per ton versus €1143.4 per ton in the same period in 2024.  Exports of HDPE from Poland amounted to 83,870 tons in the five months slightly down from 81,081 tons last year whilst LDPE exports rose from 22,228 tons to 26,830 tons.  Exports of ethylene alpha olefins amounted to 5,789 tons.

Hungarian polyethylene trade Jan-May 2025

Hungarian polyethylene exports amounted to 132,417 tons in January to May this year against 133,841 tons in 2024, whilst average prices dropped from €1241.9 per ton to €1216.4 per ton.  Revenues for polyethylene exports in January to May declined slightly from €166.216 million in 2024 to €161.072 million in 2025. 

In terms of category HDPE exports amounted to 93,720 tons in the first five months in January to May 2025 whilst LDPE exports dropped from 30,461 tons to 18,243 tons.  

Hungary remains a net exporter of LDPE and HDPE, whilst continues to be a net importer of LLDPE and ethylene copolymers.  Imports of all grades of polyethylene into Hungary amounted to 69,407 tons in January to May this year against 86,617 tons in 2024.  Hungarian import prices for polyethylene decreased from €1596.1 per ton to €1567.5 in 2025.  The largest category of polyethylene imports comprised HDPE, which dropped from 37,659 tons to 30,488 tons.   

Polish PP Trade Jan-May 2025

Polypropylene consumption in Poland amounted to 446,800 tons in the five months against 379,800 tons in the same period last year.  Polish polypropylene imports, including homo grade and copolymers, amounted to 397,698 tons in the five months against 391,206 tons last year, with prices rising from €1435.3 per ton to €1453.4 per ton. 

Homo grade polypropylene imports rose from 244,934 tons in January to May last year to 255,530 tons, whilst copolymer imports dropped from 134,919 tons to 131,642 tons.  Total import costs of propylene polymers were slightly higher, amounting to €577.978 million against €560.284 million in 2024.  In terms of pricing, imports into Poland usually face a higher premium than exports primarily due to the volumes of propylene copolymers than enter the country. 

Exports of homo polymer grade polypropylene from Poland amounted to 95,317 tons in January to May against 113,879 tons last year.   Homo polymer grades comprised the main category of Polish polypropylene exports, where Germany was the largest destination. Exports of all grades of polypropylene amounted to 133,959 tons in January to May 2025 against 154,387 tons in January to May last year.  Prices of Polish exports dropped to €1327.8 per ton from €1672.3. 

Orlen decides against buying shares in Grupa Azoty Polyolefins

Despite deciding against buying shares in Grupa Azoty Polyolefins, Orlen still intends to talk about possible cooperation with Grupa Azoty around Polimery Police.  After many months of assessment Orlen has decided against taking over the project.  The official announcement of this information resulted in a relatively sharp decline in the stock market valuation of Grupa Azoty due to its multi-billion debt. This is largely due to the construction of Polimery Police, and the lack of prospects for the sale of the project does not bode well for the chemical group s finances.

Due to its difficult financial situation, Grupa Azoty would be happy to sell part or even all of the project to Orlen. The problem is that Orlen is not considering a greater ownership involvement in Grupa Azoty Polyolefins, which owns the Polimery Police project.  Orlen may think it can extract some benefits from Azoty as a competitor rather than a partner.

The potential abandonment of Orlen s acquisition of Grupa Azoty s polyolefins stake marks a pivotal moment for Poland s petrochemical sector and raises critical questions about strategic divestitures in an uncertain macroeconomic environment. While formal confirmation of Orlen s withdrawal remains pending, the repeated delays in negotiations and shifting market dynamics suggest a recalibration of priorities that could reshape competition in polyolefins, pricing trajectories, and investor confidence in regional energy conglomerates.

Hungarian polypropylene trade Jan-May 2025

Exports of all forms of polypropylene from Hungary amounted to 100,761 tons in January to May 2025 versus 100,438 tons in the same period in 2024, with average prices adjusting to €1327.2 per ton from €1339.3.  Homo-grade PP provides the main category of Hungarian polypropylene exports, amounting to 52,103 tons in the first five months versus 54,922 tons in 2024.   The major destinations for Hungarian polypropylene exports included Poland, Italy and Romania.

For imports of all forms of polypropylene, Hungarian inward shipments dropped to 81,110 tons in January to May 2025 from 92,014 tons in 2024, with average prices dropping from €1369.5 per ton to €1338.3 per ton.  Imports of propylene copolymers dropped from 22,638 tons to 18,105 tons whilst homo grade polypropylene imports dropped from 57,527 tons to 59,904 tons.   

Czech polypropylene trade Jan-May 2025

Exports of all forms of polypropylene from the Czech Republic amounted to 120,852 tons in the first five months versus 122,431 tons in January to May 2024, with average prices rising from €1462.8 per ton to €1512.7 per ton.   Homo-grade PP provides the main category of Czech polypropylene exports, amounting to 99,422 tons in January to May versus 97,527 tons in January to May 2024.  

For imports of all forms of polypropylene, Czech inward shipments amounted to 213,875 tons in January to May 2025 from 222,173 tons in January to May 2024, with average prices dropping very slightly from €1570.6 per ton to €1535.8 per ton.  Imports of propylene copolymers increased from 91,979 tons to 94,814 tons whilst homo grade polypropylene imports dropped from 123,058 tons to 114,069 tons. 

Central European Rubber Markets 

Czech butadiene rubber trade Jan-May 2025

The Czech Republic exported 49,103 tons of butadiene rubber in January to May this year against 36,375 tons in the same period in 2024.  Average prices for butadiene rubber rose from €1561.2 per ton to €1930.9 per ton.  Besides exports the Czech Republic also imported 11,594 tons of butadiene rubber in January to May 2025, sourced largely from Germany and the US.

In synthetic rubber trade the Czech Republic exported a total of 58,444 tons in the first five months in 2025 against 58,296 tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports at the same time decreased from 61,729 tons to 60,804 tons, which were supplemented by imports of natural rubber where imports dropped from 39,594 tons to 33,913 tons.

Hungarian synthetic rubber trade Jan-May 2025

Hungarian imports of synthetic rubber amounted to 40,670 tons in January to May 2025 against 46,316 tons in January to May 2024.  Average prices increased from €2460.1 per ton to €2514.5 in 2024.  The largest source of synthetic rubber imports came from Indonesia in the five months, amounting to 15,644 tons.  Hungary previously imported a large part of its synthetic rubber from Russia.

Butadiene rubber imports into Hungary increased from 10,994 tons to 12,446 tons, with the largest source coming from Indonesia.  SBR imports into Hungary dropped from 24,096 tons to 22,049 tons.   

Synthetic rubber exports from Hungary amounted to 25,471 tons in the first five months this year of which SBR grades accounted for 25,112 tons. Prices rose from €2460.1 per ton last year to €2515.5 per ton.  Production of  solution styrene-butadiene rubber takes place in Hungary at Tiszaujvaros with capacity of 60,000 tpa.

Polish synthetic rubber imports Jan-May 2025

Poland imported a total of 93,446 tons of synthetic rubber in January to May 2025 against 173,069 tons in January to May 2024.   By category, butadiene rubber was the largest product to be imported in the five months, although dropping from 43,149 tons last year to 21,428 tons this year.  Block SBR was the second largest product but still dropping from 24,145 tons against 12,628 tons in the same period last year.   The largest suppliers of all grades of synthetic rubber included Germany and South Korea, in addition to the US, Belgium, Saudi Arabia. 

Polish synthetic rubber exports Jan-May 2025

Synthetic rubber exports from Poland amounted to a total of 117,922 tons in the first five months in 2025 against 172,170 tons in the same period in 2024.   In contrast to the rise in 2024 this year exports of butadiene rubber from Poland almost halved in the first five months to 20,587 tons against 40,516 tons.  At the same time SBR exports dropped from 93,685 tons to 88,618 tons.  Although Europe comprises the largest regional destination for Polish synthetic rubber exports, India is the largest single country export destination. 

Central European aromatics and derivatives

Polish benzene exports Jan-May 2025

Polish exports of benzene totalled 69,995 tons in January to May 2025 against 72,889 tons in January to May last year.  Benzene exports from Poland are supplied largely from Petrochemia Blachownia at Kedzierzyn-Kozle. 

In addition to benzene Poland exported 9,288 tons of toluene in the first five months this year against only 614 tons in 2024.  The increase has been made possible through the restart of production at Plock.  

Polish PTA exports Jan-May 2025

Exports of PTA from Poland amounted to 113,395 tons in January to May this year against 142,756 tons in January to May 2024.  Germany took 104,304 tons against 123,362 tons last year.  Prices fell from €791.1 per ton in the five months last year to €730.7 per ton.  From the total sales, exports totalled 381,700 tons in 2024 against 238,800 tons in 2023, reflecting in an increase in revenues from €196.2 million to €286.9 million.   PTA is also imported into Poland, amounting to 22,930 tons in January to May this year. 

Polish aromatic imports Jan-May 2025

Styrene imports into Poland totalled 41,251 tons in the period January to May 2025 against 53,651 tons in the same period in 2024.  The largest supplier was Saudi Arabia which shipped 10,563 tons against 7,578 tons in the same five months last year.  Belgium reduced shipments to Poland from 14,295 tons in the five months last year to 10,228 tons this year.  Average prices for imports into Poland dropped from €1371.0 per ton in the five months last year to €1175.8 ton this year.

Ethylbenzene imports amounted to 39,633 tons in January to May 2025 against 38,724 tons in January to May 2024.  All the ethylbenzene was shipped from Kralupy to Oswiecim, all within the structures of the Synthos Group. 

In other areas of aromatic derivatives imports of caprolactam increased in the first five months to 6,200 tons versus 5,498 tons in the same period last year.  Imports of phthalic anhydride dropped from 15,374 tons to 12,316 tons, whilst TDI inward shipments remained virtually unchanged at 32,767 tons.  PTA imports into Poland increased from 4,893 tons to 22,930 tons due to lower production at Wloclawek, which reduced the demand for imported paraxylene dropping from 9,104 tons to 2,966 tons. 

Average prices for phenol imported into Poland dropped to €968.6 per ton in the first five months this year measured against €1338.3 per ton in January to May 2024.  Phenol imports into Poland amounted to a total of 42,369 tons in January to May 2025 which was up from 31,930 tons in the same period in 2024.  Germany remains the dominant supplier of phenol to Poland, shipping 36,562 tons in the five months against 23,122 tons in the same period in 2024.    Spain and Finland accounted for smaller shipments. 

Czech aromatic trade Jan-May 2025

Benzene imports into the Czech Republic dropped in January to May this year to 11,486 tons against 30,218 tons in January to May 2024, whilst exports increased from 3,300 tons to 9,564 tons.  Toluene imports dropped from 2,482 tons to 2,050 tons. 

Imports of bisphenol A into the Czech Republic dropped from 14,361 tons in January to May 2024 to 13,331 tons in the five months this year.  South Korea accounted for most of the imports. 

Aniline exports from the Czech Republic dropped to 32,963 tons in January to May 2025 against 50,832 tons last year.  All of the aniline shipped from the Czech Republic is produced at Ostrava by BorsodChem-MCHZ, and most of the exports are shipped to BorsodChem in Hungary. Shipments to Hungary dropped from 45,193 tons last year to 25,148 tons in January to May 2025.  Average prices for Czech aniline exports dropped from €1452.3 per ton to €1372.9 per ton this year.  Ethylbenzene exports from the Czech Republic increased from 20,301 tons in the first five months last year to 31,595 tons in January to May. 

Czech epoxy resin exports Jan-May 2025 

 Czech exports of epoxy resins amounted to 13,679 tons in January to May against 13,082 tons in January to May 2024.  Prices rose from €2494.0 per ton to €2610.4 per ton.  Germany remains the largest market for Czech epoxy resins, accounting for 5,288 tons in January to May 2025 which was up from 4,134 tons in January to May 2024.  Czech exports of epoxy resins amounted to 49,063 tons in the twelve months of 2024 against 46,888 tons in 2023. 

Hungarian aromatic trade Jan-May 2025

Hungarian benzene exports dropped in the first five months to 6,165 tons in January to May 2025 against 22,571 tons in the same period in 2024.  Benzene production in Hungary takes place at the Danube refinery at Szazhalombatta but exports have dropped due to higher domestic demand. 

 By contrast imports of benzene into Hungary increased in the first five months to 18,513 tons against 10,419 tons in the same period last year.  Poland increased shipments to 9,340 tons against 6,377 tons in 2024.

Toluene imports into Hungary amounted to 19,333 tons in January to May this year for costs of €17.914 million.  This represented a fall from 23,342 tons in the first five months in 2024 for costs of €25.375 million.  The main source of toluene supply includes Germany, followed by Romania and Slovakia.

Styrene imports into Hungary dropped to 25,533 tons in the first four months in 2025 against 27,923 tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports from Italy dropped from 25,022 tons in the first five months last year to 23,276 tons due to lower processing into polystyrene.  Average prices dropped from €1435.1 per ton to €1313.8 per ton. 

Central European isocyanates & polyols

Hungarian TDI-MDI exports 

Hungarian TDI exports increased from 117,146 tons in January to May in 2024 to 124,087 tons in the same period this year. Average prices dropped from €1981.1 per ton in 2024 to €1837.9 per ton. 

In Central Europe shipments of TDI from Hungary to Poland increased from 13,000 tons in the first five months in 2024 to 14,628 tons in the same period in 2025 and to Turkey reduced from 20,617 tons to 14,638 tons.  Shipments to Romania fell from 4,053 tons to 5,750 tons.  The major user of TDI in Romania is Chimcomplex.   In West Europe exports of TDI from Hungary to Belgium rose from 16,865 tons in the first five months last year to 19,804 tons in January to May 2024, whilst volumes to Italy increased from 13,940 tons to 15,086 tons in the same period in 2025. 

For the MDI sector, exports from Hungary amounted to 103,959 tons in January to May 2025 against 92,150 tons in 2024.  MDI export prices increased from €1914.8 per ton in the first five months last year to €1827.0 per ton this year.  

Prices could see upward movement in the third quarter due to higher production costs.  BASF increased prices for all its Lupranat MDI in July by €70 per ton and for its Lupranat® TDI by €50 per ton in the EMEA region.  This increase is driven by high raw material costs and a strong demand from major business segments.  Covestro may follow on TDI prices from its production plant at Dormagen which is Europe’s largest. Earlier this year Covestro completed a major modernisation this year which has helped reduce energy costs in addition to reducing CO2 emissions. 

 In terms of geographical breakdown, Poland was the largest destination for Hungarian MDI exports, taking 25,543 tons in the first five months in 2025 versus 16,861 tons in the same period in 2024.  Exports to Germany increased slightly from 10,118 tons to 10,186 tons, and to Turkey from 1,154 tons to 8.813 tons.  Shipments to Romania rose from 8,464 tons to 10,952 tons.  

Central European isocyanate trade Jan-May 2025

TDI imports into Poland amounted to 32,767 tons in January to May against 32,791 tons in January to May 2024.  Prices of TDI imported into Poland dropped from €2035.6 per ton to €1930.0 per ton.  Hungary was the largest supplier in the five months, shipping 16,906 tons to Poland followed by 9,099 tons to Germany.  Poland previously produced TDI at Bydgoszcz, but the plant was closed in 2013 after its acquisition by BASF from Ciech.

MDI imports into Poland totalled 71,945 tons in January to May this year against 67,193 tons in January to May 2024.  Average prices dropped slightly from €1900.4 per ton to €1896.1 in January to May this year. 

Germany increased MDI shipments to Poland to 22,684 tons in the first five months in 2025 against 19,533 tons in January to May 2024, whilst imports from Hungary increased to 22,545 tons against 16.639 tons in 2024.  Other suppliers included the Netherlands, Belgium and South Korea.

MDI imports into the Czech Republic totalled 17,475 tons in January to May 2025 against 17,414 tons in January to May 2024.  Average prices decreased from €2081.7 per ton to €2045.9 per ton.    The leading supplier was Belgium which shipped 2,470 tons against 2,140 tons in January to May 2024.  Imports from Hungary increased from 3,760 tons to 4,944 tons. 

Czech polyol imports Jan-May 2025

Czech polyol imports amounted to 21,464 tons in the first five months this year against 19,592 tons in the same period in 2024, with average prices dropping from €2296.4 per ton to €2120.2 per ton. Polyol prices in Europe continue to suffer from weak demand.  The leading supplier to the Czech Republic Belgium shipping 6,177 tons in the first five months this year, followed by 3,606 tons from Germany and 3,223 tons from the Netherlands. 

Hungarian polyol imports 

Imports of polyols into Hungary rose in the first five months to 16,187 tons against 15,334 tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports from China amounted to 5,679 tons from 3,958 tons in 2024.  Prices for polyol imports amounted to €1610.8, down from €1865.7 per ton in the previous year. 

Polish polyol trade Jan-May 2025

 Poland remains a net importer of polyols, with the export focus on slightly higher value products than those imported.  Exports of polyols from Poland in the five months this year amounted to 22,693 tons against 24,105 tons in January to May 2024.  Prices dropped from €2118.1 per ton to €1962.9 per ton.  Destinations for deliveries were focused mostly on Europe, led by Italy taking 3,505 tons against 3,773 tons in the first five months last year. 

Polyether polyol suppliers in Europe were forced to reduce production levels last year due to cost pressures partly from propylene oxide prices and that trend has not fundamentally changed in 2025   Thus the overall market is tight due to weak demand, especially in the automotive and upholstered furniture sectors.  The main application areas have demonstrated a significant reduction in demand for polyether polyols.  The upholstered furniture industry was particularly affected last year, with many furniture manufacturers having to reduce production or even face the risk of bankruptcy due to falling demand.  Demand for polyester polyols has been better than polyether polyols in the past eighteen months.  The main sales application is polyurethane insulation panels. 

Polish polyol imports amounted to 61,905 tons in January to May 2025 against 58,509 tons in January to May 2024.  The Netherlands reduced shipments from 16,954 tons to 12,320 tons, whilst Germany reduced shipments from 14,871 tons against 13,801 tons.  Polyol import prices into Poland dropped from €1865.3 per ton to €1738.9 per ton. 

Central European organic chemical trade

Hungarian maleic anhydride exports 

Hungary exported 6,723 tons of maleic anhydride in January to May this year against 10,882 tons in January to May 2024.   Average prices rose from €1165.6 per ton to €1365.7 per ton.  Exports of maleic anhydride to Poland from Hungary decreased from 3,782 tons in 2024 to 1,120 tons in 2025. 

Hungarian organic chemical exports 

Exports of organic chemicals from Hungary totalled 238,965 tons in the first five months in 2025, down from 312,020 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 last year by volume and 33% by value.   Overall, the value of organic chemical exports from Hungary amounted to €647.490 million which was down from €696.065 million in January to May 2024.

Imports of organic chemicals amounted to 312,020 tons in the first five months this year against 303,045 tons in January to May 2024. Imports consist of such products as styrene, methanol, aniline and acrylonitrile. 

Hungarian aniline & acrylonitrile imports Jan-May 2025

Aniline imports into Hungary dropped from 51,833 tons in January to May 2024 to 26,294 tons in January to May this year.  Inward shipments from BorsodChem-MCHZ in the Czech Republic dropped to 26,090 tons against 46,091 tons in 2024.  Cost prices of aniline imports declined from €1444.6 per ton to €1368.8 per ton. 

Acrylonitrile imports into Hungary increased from 4,484 tons in the first five months to 2024 to 8,583 tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports from the Netherlands increased from 3,830 tons to 6,568 tons.  Average prices for acrylonitrile imports increased from 1709.3 per ton to €1947.0.

Polish organic chemical trade Jan-May 2025

Organic chemical trade in Poland was overall higher in the first five months this year against January to May 2024, although export volumes were slightly lower.  Exports of organic chemicals from Poland dropped by volume to 630,800 tons from 664,000 tons, whilst imports increased from 1.632 million tons to 1.832 million tons.  Despite lower volumes, export values increased from €417.3 million to €534.0 million, whilst import values rose from €1.144 million to €1.267 million.    

The largest organic chemical import is methanol where the inward flow into Poland totalled 267,262 tons in January to May 2025, which was down from 276,785 tons in the same period last year.  Regarding methanol derivatives Poland imported 17,015 tons of acetic acid in January to May against 14,553 tons in the same period last year.  The US provided 13,419 tons in the first five months this year.

Imports of ethyl acetate into Poland amounted to 5,219 tons in January to May, down from 6,699 tons.  Mexico supplied 1,796 tons of ethyl acetate to Poland in the first five months this year, with other sources coming from Belgium and the Netherlands.  VAM imports into Poland increased in January to 19,739 tons against 9,054 tons in January to May 2024.  Over 3,000 tons of VAM were supplied this year from Saudi Arabia.

Isopropanol imports into Poland totalled 7,088 tons in January to May 2025, against 4,936 tons in the same period in 2024.  Aside Germany, imports come from the Netherlands and South Africa. 

Regarding export activity in organic chemicals, Polish shipments of monochloroacetic acid (MCAA) amounted to 16,106 tons in the five months against 12,933 tons in January to May last year. MCAA production is undertaken by the PCC Group at Brzeg Dolny. 

Other organic chemical exports from Poland include acetone where shipments amounted to 4,727 tons versus 5,145 tons in January to May 2024.   The main markets for Polish acetone exports included Italy, Germany, Romania and Lithuania

Polish glycol-oxide imports Jan-May 2025

Ethylene glycol imports into Poland dropped in January to May to 10,873 tons from 24,099 tons in the same period last year.  Belgium is the main supplier of glycols to the Polish market.  DEG imports amounted to 13,240 tons against 13,729 tons.

 Ethylene oxide imports into Poland totalled 11,493 tons in January to May 2025 versus 9,221 tons in the same period in 2024.   Germany currently represents the main source of inward shipments.  Ethylene oxide consumption in Poland is expected to increase after the completion of PCC Exol’s second line of the Ethoxylates II plant at Plock. 

Czech organic chemical trade 

Czech imports of organic chemicals are led by methanol where volumes amounted to 19,863 tons in January to May 2025 against 31,891 tons in January to May last year.  2-EH imports dropped from 9,275 tons to 8,944 tons, with Poland providing the largest source of supply.   Oxygenated solvent imports include acetone and ethyl acetate, amounting to 2,212 tons and 1,526 tons respectively in the five months. 

Organic chemical imports totalled €583.4 million in value in the first five months this year against €584.8 million in the same period in 2024, with import volumes dropping to 287,000 tons against 302,000 tons. 

Organic chemical exports from the Czech Republic dropped by value to €494.6 million against €541.9 million in January to May 2024, with volumes dropping from 243,500 tons to 217,600 tons. 

One of the main export commodities is plasticizers which are produced by Deza at Valasske Mezirici.  Exports dropped in the first five months this year to 6,711 tons against 17,554 tons in the same period in 2024, with revenues dropping from €26.096 million to €9.735 million.  

Central European methanol markets

Czech methanol imports 

Czech imports of methanol amounted to 19,863 tons in the first five months this year against 31,891 tons in the same period in 2024.  Prices per ton for methanol imports increased from €382.6 per ton to €502.2 per ton.  Poland was the largest supplier, accounting for 8,663 tons against 23,964 tons in the same period in 2024.  Czech imports of methanol amounted to 64,513 tons in the twelve months of 2024 against 76,290 tons in the same period in 2023.  Prices per ton for methanol imports increased from €373.6 per ton to €406.8 per ton. 

Hungarian methanol imports Jan-May 2025

Methanol imports into Hungary in January to May increased to 45,677 tons from 40,422 tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports from Germany dropped from 26,929 tons to 22,066 tons, whilst imports from the Netherlands increased from 3,295 tons last year to 14,158 tons. Imports from Slovenia amounted to 5,877 tons in the first five months this year, against 8,584 tons in 2024. Average prices of methanol imports into Hungary amounted to €497.0 per ton in 2025 against €436.3 per ton in 2024.

Polish methanol trade Jan-May 2025

Polish imports of methanol amounted to 265,901 tons in the five months this year against 277,300 tons in January to May 2024.  Average prices amounted to €407.6 per ton against €317.5 per ton last year.  Belgium supplied 26,349 tons against 75,231 tons in January to May 2024, whilst imports from Venezuela dropped from 77,788 tons to 26,824 tons.

Imports from Trinidad totalled 66,458 tons in the five months against no activity in the same period in 2024.   Supplies from the US this year totalled 56,022 tons, replacing shipments from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.  Imports from Germany declined from 39,462 tons in the five months to 31,827 tons in the same period in 2025, whilst volumes from the Netherlands dropped from 38,766 tons to 15,450 tons. 

Exports of methanol from Poland amounted to 79,070 tons in the five months declining from 88,245 tons in the same period in 2024.  Volumes have fallen since the peak of Polish methanol trade whereby Polish traders could access Russian methanol for sale in Central and South East Europe. 

The largest destination for Polish exports in January to May this year was Germany which took 44,408 tons against 44,282 tons in January to May 2024.  Ukraine imported 8,825 tons of methanol from Poland in the five months against 10,528 tons. Polish methanol export prices increased from €374.6 per ton to €453.0 per ton.  Exports of methanol from Poland amounted to 201,476 tons in 2024 declining from 264,289 tons in 2023.  Germany took 104,380 tons in 2024 against 79,930 tons in 2023.  Ukraine imported a total of 25,932 tons of methanol from Poland in 2024 against 25,175 tons in 2023. 

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