Czech crude imports Jan-Jul 2025

Imports from Russia have been replaced since April this year by other sources including Norway and Saudi Arabia.  Imports from Norway amounted to 569,700 tons in the first seven months against zero last year whilst imports from Saudi Arabia increased from 110,600 tons to 265,600 tons.    

Imports from Russia have been replaced since April this year by other sources including Norway and Saudi Arabia.  Imports from Norway amounted to 569,700 tons in the first seven months against zero last year whilst imports from Saudi Arabia increased from 110,600 tons to 265,600 tons. 

Hungarian crude imports Jan-Jul 2025

Hungary imported a total of 2.990 million tons of crude from Russia in the first seven months in 2025 against 2.610 million tons in the same period in 2024.  Crude imports into Hungary rose from 3.131 million tons in the first seven months last year to 3.209 million tons in the same period this year.  

There are price advantages for Hungary in buying crude from Russia, particularly comparing to the prices paid by the Czech Republic and Poland, but at the same time the Druzhba has been struck several times in the past few months affecting the flow of crude.  Although other sources of crude are available through the Adria pipeline Hungary and Slovakia have been slow to diversify.  As a result, Ukraine has seen it necessary to take matters into its own hands by targeting pumping stations and the Druzhba pipeline itself.  The US has now started applying pressure to the EU to ban the purchase of crude from Russia and thus the political pressure on Hungary and Slovakia is mounting.  

Polish crude imports Jan-Jul 2025

From the total of 14.125 million tons of crude imported into Poland in the first seven months this year, supplies from Saudi Arabia totalled 6.370 million tons followed by Norway which provided 4.044 million tons.     Other supplies came from the US, UK, Nigeria and Guyana. 

Orlen signed a contract in August with Equinor to procure more than 6.0 million tons of crude oil from the Johan Sverdrup field on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).  This supply is projected to fulfil around 15% of the Orlen Group’s annual oil consumption.  The first deliveries under the one-year contract will commence in September.

European gas imports from Russia

In addition to Russian crude, Hungary currently imports most of its natural gas from Russia.  The EU’s current deadlines for the end of all fossil fuel purchases from Russia is set for the end of 2027, but the US is applying pressure to bring this deadline forward.   Hungary and Slovakia have so far opposed measures on gas imports, which they say would raise energy prices, but it does look quite possible that the deadline could be changed to at least earlier in 2027.  Poland switched out of Russian gas long before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine whilst over the last three years, Norway has become the primary source of natural gas for the Czech Republic. 

Polish petrochemical production Jan-July 2025

Ethylene production in Poland dropped from 207,400 tons in January to July last year to 186,400 tons in January to July 2025 as Orlen reduced cracker utilisation.  Polish propylene production dropped slightly from 237,900 tons to 236,200 tons. 

Butadiene production at Plock dropped marginally to 33,562 tons from 34,155 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 25,088 tons to 22,916 tons, whilst the resumption of toluene production meant that volumes rose from only 20 tons in the first seven months last year to 8,524 tons in 2025.

In the plastics sector polyethylene production in Poland amounted to 177,100 tons in January to July 2025 versus 182,500 tons in January to July 2024.  By contrast, polypropylene production in Poland increased from 196,500 tons to 249,400 tons from the two plants at Plock and Police.  PVC production at Wloclawek decreased from 123,900 tons to 91,700 tons. 

Orlen Jan-Jun 2025

The Orlen Group’s downstream division reduced revenues from external sales and inter-segment sales by zl 11,678 million (€2,745 million) in the first half of 2025 to zl 60,619 million (€14.245 million). The decline was materially driven by lower market prices of the segment’s main products.  Compared with the same period of 2024, market prices decreased for gasoline by 18%, diesel oil by 16%, propylene by 33%, benzene by 2% and ethylene by 3%. 

Fertiliser sales from the Orlen Group fell by 22% in the first half of 2025 due to the shutdown of production units in the Czech Republic and maintenance outages at Wloclawek. PTA sales declined by 28%, PVC by 26%, polyolefins by 13% and olefins by 9%, all reflecting maintenance shutdowns of production units. 

Orlen’s operating costs decreased by zl 8,802 million (€2,069 million) to zl 59,762 million (€14.046 million), mainly due to a decline in crude oil prices of $12.2 per barrel to $71.9.  As a result, the segment’s EBITDA adjusted for impairment losses on assets amounted to zl 2,570 million, down by zl (2,633).  As part of the new project the old olefin unit at Plock will shut after 2030, and be replaced by a new, less carbon-intensive and less energy-intensive unit.  Previously it was assumed that both units would operate but dual-unit production is now seen as creating oversupply.  Apart from increasing polymer production Nowa Chemia will also enable the use of recycled feedstock, which is to be a step towards the so-called green petrochemicals.

Orlen’s petrochemical sector sales declined from 1.218 million tons in the first half last year to 1.076 million tons in January to June 2025.  Sales of ethylene to Basell Orlen Polyolefins dropped from 83,000 tons to 77,000 tons whilst propylene sales on the merchant market dropped from 255,000 tons to 234,000 tons.  Benzene sales totalled 157,000 tons against 184,000 tons in January to June 2024.  Sales of polyethylene and polypropylene both dropped in the first half, in addition to PVC and PTA.  

Overall petrochemicals continued to provide the group’s weakest link amongst the product sectors.   Orlen’s revenues from monomer sales declined from €406.9 million in the first half of 2025 to €355.8 million, whilst polyolefin revenues dropped from €409.7 million to €345.8 million.  PTA sales dropped from 134,000 tons to 95,000 tons in the first half this year, with revenues falling from €204.6 million to €115.7 million.   Regarding product margins benzene saw the largest drop in the second quarter this year, down to €135 per ton, whilst more modest declines were recorded for ethylene and toluene.  Propylene and paraxylene showed minor rises. 

Nowa Chemia project revision

Orlen is currently negotiating a contract with the general contractor of the abandoned Olefiny III project.  The details of the Nowa Chemia project will be known by the end of September or early October when the final arrangements with the main contractor of the project, i.e. the consortium of the Korean company Hyundai Engineering and the Spanish company Técnicas Reunidas, are also to be known.  The general profile of the Nowa Chemia project is expected to increase ethylene production by around 15%, whilst reduce emissions and increase production efficiency by about 30%. 

Until 30 June this year Orlen had spent a total of zl 15.8 billion (€3.7 billion) on Nowa Chemia of which zl 1.7 billion (€0.4 billion) was outlaid in the first half of this year.  In turn, at the end of last year, it reported that the optimised capital expenditures of the redefined project were estimated at about zl 34 billion (€8.0 billion), including about zl 6 billion (€1.4 billion) of financing costs.  

Polish propylene imports, Jan-Jul 2025

Poland imported 54,361 tons of propylene in January to July this year against 59,205 tons in the same period in 2024.  In the first seven months this year Germany was the main supplier to Poland, shipping 32,674 tons against 39,939 tons in January to July 2024.  Average import prices for propylene imports into Poland dropped from €757.7 per ton to €642.1 in January to July 2025.  Polish exports of propylene totalled 15,672 tons in the first seven months against 9,225 tons last year, almost exclusively supplied by Grupa Azoty Polyolefins from the Polimery Police plant. 

Polish butadiene imports, Jan-Jul 2025

Butadiene import prices for Poland rose from €836.7 per ton on average in the seven months last year to €1026.9 in January to July 2025, with import volumes rising from 58,626 tons to 62,831 tons.  Synthos is the major importer of butadiene in Poland.   Germany was the largest supplier in the seven months this year, shipping 20,282 tons against 14,865 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-Jul 2025

Exports of propylene from Hungary amounted to 53,336 tons in January to July 2025 against 62,718 tons in 2024.  Shipments from MOL’s plant at Tiszaujvaros to Slovnaft in Slovakia dropped from 61,382 tons to 43,358 tons.  Prices averaged €1035.1 per ton in the first seven months this year, down slightly against €1045.5 per ton in the same period in 2024. 

Hungarian butadiene exports dropped to 24,915 tons in the first seven months in 2025 against 33,140 tons in the same period in 2024.  Shipments from the MOL plant in Hungary to Poland dropped from 20,703 tons in January to July 2024 to 17,247 tons whilst exports to Germany dropped to 806 tons from 7,155 tons in the same period in 2024.  Average prices for Hungarian butadiene exports increased to €822.3 per ton versus €802.0 in 2024.

Orlen Unipetrol restarts ethylene complex

After a summer of interruptions due to power outages and plant maintenance, Orlen Unipetrol resumed most of the operational activity in the petrochemical and refinery segments at the Litvinov complex by the second half September.  The restart of the cracker took place in early September after repairs had been completed.  Unipetrol’s power outages in July and August were attributed to a series of failures in the Czech grid, including the V411 transmission line and the Ledvice power plant.  

Czech olefin monomer trade, Jan-Jul 2025

Ethylene exports from the Czech Republic amounted to 8,501 tons in the first seven months this year, down from 10,513 tons in 2024 whilst propylene dropped from 5,391 tons to just 79 tons. 

Czech propylene imports amounted to 39,069 tons in January to July 2025 against 24,829 tons in January to July last year.  Imports came from Germany and Poland.  Shipments from Poland increased to 39,069 tons in the first seven months this year from 24,829 tons last year, which was mainly due to the extra availability from the Polimery Police plant.  Average prices for propylene imports increased from €858.4 per ton to €885.8 per ton.  Butadiene imports amounted to 50,367 tons in January to July, rising from 25,932 tons last year.

Central European styrene market Jan-Jul 2025

Styrene imports into Hungary totalled 35,336 tons in the first seven months in 2025 against 33,466 tons in the same period in 2024.  Italy accounted for 31,921 tons of styrene imports into Hungary which was down from 29,430 tons in 2024.  Prices for styrene imports into Hungary amounted to €1435.7 per ton against €1104.7 per ton in 2024.

Styrene imports into Poland totalled 62,608 tons in the period January to July 2025 against 58,611 tons in the same period in 2024.  The largest supplier was Saudi Arabia which shipped 17,889 tons against 7,578 tons in the same seven months last year.  Belgium reduced shipments to Poland from 15,770 tons in the seven months last year to 19,139 tons this year.  Average prices for imports into Poland dropped from €1294.2 per ton in the seven months last year to €1205.0 ton this year.

Styrene imports into the Czech Republic amounted to 21,103 tons in the first seven months in 2025 against 14,356 tons in the same period last year.  This year the Netherlands supplied 10,652 tons in the first seven months in 2025 against 5,792 tons in January to July 2024, whilst shipments from Germany increased from 3,665 tons to 8,758 tons.  Styrene is used by Synthos at Kralupy to produce different grades of synthetic rubber.

Czech polyethylene trade Jan-Jul 2025

For imports of all forms of polyethylene, Czech inward shipments amounted to 125,424 tons in January to July 2025 against 128,903 tons in January to July 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 190,136 tons in the first seven months measured against 238,494 tons in January to July 2024.  Average prices increased from €1391.1 per ton to €1402.3 per ton in this year.

HDPE export shipments from Litvinov comprised 156,941 tons in the first seven months against 202,881 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-Jul 2025

Despite the fall in polyethylene production at Plock in the seven months this year the market balance increased from 814,500 tons in January to July 2024 to 853,900 tons.  Export volumes were down by 9,900 tons in the first seven months in 2025, whilst imports increased by 45,000 tons.   The outlook for polyethylene consumption in the Polish market has shown some tentative signs of improvement in 2025, although the fastest demand is being driven by recycled polyethylene.

Polish imports of polyethylene totalled 862,764 tons in January to July 2025 against 827,807 tons in the same period in 2024, with average prices falling from €1269.1 per ton to €1255.8 per ton.  In addition to the European suppliers to Poland, Saudi Arabia and the US provided 96,238 tons and 112,264 tons respectively in the first seven months in 2025. 

HDPE is the largest category of imported polyethylene into Poland, amounting to 271,710 tons in January to July 2025 versus 261,900 tons in January to July 2024.  Germany is the largest supplier of HDPE to the Polish market.  

LLDPE imports rose from 128,882 tons in January to July last year to 148,355 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 dropped to 209,219 tons versus 216,267 tons in January to July last year.  Imports from ethylene alpha olefins increased to 190,715 tons against 174,523 tons.

Polish polyethylene exports amounted to 185,933 tons in January to July this year, down from 195,776 tons in the first seven months in 2024.  A total of 65,979 tons was exported to Germany in the seven months this year and was the largest destination.  Average prices for polyethylene exports from Poland increased in the seven months to €1336.3 per ton versus €1108.2 per ton in the same period in 2024.  Exports of HDPE from Poland amounted to 117,905 tons in the seven months slightly down from 123,017 tons last year whilst LDPE exports rose from 34,544 tons to 39,307 tons.  Exports of ethylene alpha olefins amounted to 9,376 tons.

Hungarian polyethylene trade Jan-Jul 2025

Hungarian polyethylene exports amounted to 189,648 tons in January to July this year against 189,988 tons in 2024, whilst average prices dropped from €1244.6 per ton to €1202.4 per ton.  Revenues for polyethylene exports in January to July declined slightly from €236.455 million in 2024 to €228.030 million in 2025.

In terms of category HDPE exports amounted to 135,339 tons in the first seven months in January to July 2025 whilst LDPE exports dropped from 46,407 tons to 25,859 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 99,739 tons in January to July this year against 128,975 tons in 2024.  Hungarian import prices for polyethylene decreased from €1550.5 per ton to €1548.5 in 2025.  The largest category of polyethylene imports comprised HDPE, which dropped from 56,022 tons to 41,956 tons. 

Polish PP Trade Jan-Jul 2025

Polypropylene consumption in Poland amounted to 628,000 tons in the seven months against 518,200 tons in the same period last year.  Polish polypropylene imports, including homo grade and copolymers, amounted to 569,650 tons in the seven months against 559,460 tons last year, with prices rising from €1438.0 per ton to €1441.2 per ton. 

Homo grade polypropylene imports rose from 352,541 tons in January to July last year to 370,631 tons, whilst copolymer imports dropped from 190,163 tons to 183,559 tons.  Total import costs of propylene polymers were slightly higher, amounting to €810.370 million against €803.696 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 136,072 tons in January to July against 174,350 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 191,091tons in January to July 2025 against 237,794 tons in January to July last year.  Prices of Polish exports rose to €1307.2 per ton from €1304.0. 

Azoty completion of Polimery Police project

Polimery Police continues to place a burden on Grupa Azoty’s finances, reflected in the first half year’s results.  After withdrawing from the contract in August with Hyundai Engineering for completion of the Polimery Police project, Grupa Azoty is hoping to finalise the investment faster on its own or with selected partners.  The group is currently reviewing the project and analysing the paths to complete it.  Thus far, the major obstacle to completing the investment has been the lack of adequate funds.  

After cancelling the contract with Hyundai, the sum of €107.5 million was received from the former contractor which are now intended to be used for the finalisation and settlement of the Polimery Police project.  Azoty reports that the new plant is basically fully completed, as the main units have already been built and have partially passed tests.  However, in order to complete the repair, it is necessary to remove technical problems during the current maintenance shutdown.  The company sells polypropylene in Poland, and in the DACH markets (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and Central European countries.  Azoty’s management board claims that the company has the ability to place all production on the market.

Hungarian polypropylene trade Jan-Jul 2025

Exports of all forms of polypropylene from Hungary amounted to 139,800 tons in January to July 2025 versus 143,645 tons in the same period in 2024, with average prices adjusting to €1348.9 per ton from €1290.8. 

Homo-grade PP provides the main category of Hungarian polypropylene exports, amounting to 74,611 tons in the first seven months versus 76,931 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 110,325 tons in January to July 2025 from 115,827 tons in 2024, with average prices rising from €1368.5 per ton to €1451.5 per ton.  Imports of propylene copolymers dropped from 31,910 tons to 25,442 tons whilst homo grade polypropylene imports dropped from 82,565 tons to 77,374 tons.  

Czech polypropylene trade Jan-Jul 2025

Exports of all forms of polypropylene from the Czech Republic amounted to 164,112 tons in the first seven months versus 147,105 tons in January to July 2024, with average prices rising from €1460.9 per ton to €1497.2 per ton.   Homo-grade PP provides the main category of Czech polypropylene exports, amounting to 129,371 tons in January to July versus 119,443 tons in January to July 2024.   

For imports of all forms of polypropylene, Czech inward shipments amounted to 309,318 tons in January to July 2025 from 263,369 tons in January to July 2024, with average prices dropping from €1570.5 per ton to €1510.4 per ton. 

Imports of propylene copolymers increased from 109,647 tons to 134,259 tons whilst homo grade polypropylene imports increased from 145,952 tons to 167,588 tons. 

Czech butadiene rubber trade Jan-Jul 2025

The Czech Republic exported 65,496 tons of butadiene rubber in January to July this year against 64,975 tons in the same period in 2024.  India was the largest destination for Czech exports, amounting to 9,186 tons in the first seven months this year against 11,086 tons in the same period in 2024.  Average prices for butadiene rubber rose from €1677.2 per ton to €1905.2 per ton.  Besides exports the Czech Republic also imported 15,804 tons of butadiene rubber in January to July 2025, sourced largely from Germany and the US.

In synthetic rubber trade the Czech Republic exported a total of 78,476 tons in the first seven months in 2025 against 80,499 tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports at the same time rose from 81,032 tons to 81,665 tons, which were supplemented by imports of natural rubber where imports dropped from 54,403 tons to 51,032 tons.

Hungarian synthetic rubber trade Jan-Jul 2025

Hungarian imports of synthetic rubber amounted to 56,927 tons in January to July 2025 against 62,050 tons in January to July 2024.  The largest source of synthetic rubber imports came from Indonesia in the seven 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 14,805 tons to 18,142 tons, with the largest source coming from Indonesia.  SBR imports into Hungary dropped from 32,974 tons to 30,319 tons.  

Synthetic rubber exports from Hungary amounted to 33,169 tons in the first seven months this year of which SBR grades accounted for 25,112 tons.  Prices rose from €2615.1 per ton last year to €2831.4 per ton. 

Polish synthetic rubber imports Jan-Jul 2025

Poland imported a total of 131,664 tons of synthetic rubber in January to July 2025 against 215,166 tons in January to July 2024.   By category, butadiene rubber was the largest product to be imported in the seven months, although dropping from 52,391 tons last year to 30,013 tons this year.  Block SBR was the second largest product but still dropping from 28,999 tons against 18,425 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, and Saudi Arabia. 

Polish synthetic rubber exports Jan-Jul 2025

Synthetic rubber exports from Poland amounted to a total of 153,724 tons in the first seven months in 2025 against 222,448 tons in the same period in 2024.  

In contrast to the rise in 2024 this year exports of butadiene rubber from Poland dropped in the first seven months to 28,879 tons against 51,137 tons.  At the same time SBR exports dropped from 128,083 tons to 112,901 tons. 

Polish benzene exports Jan-Jul 2025

Polish exports of benzene totalled 99,877 tons in January to July 2025 against 102,677 tons in January to July last year.  Benzene exports from Poland are supplied largely from Petrochemia Blachownia at Kedzierzyn-Kozle. Benzene exports to Germany dropped from 77,794 tons to 74,589 tons in the first seven months in 2024.

Polish PTA exports Jan-Jul 2025

Exports of PTA from Poland amounted to 179,639 tons in January to July this year against 214,941 tons in January to July 2024.  Germany took 164,034 tons against 179,805 tons last year.  Prices fell from €789.8 per ton in the seven   months last year to €712.2 per ton.  PTA is also imported into Poland, amounting to 28,904 tons in January to July this year against 5,648 tons in the same period in 2024. 

Regarding Orlen’s performance on PTA, production, exports and export revenues all declined in the first half this year to €115.7 million against €204.6 million.  Demand for PTA has remained low since the beginning of 2025, which was partly due to production shutdowns at PET processors, and partly to weak demand for its derivatives. 

Polish aromatic imports Jan-Jul 2025

Styrene imports into Poland totalled 62,608 tons in the period January to July 2025 against 58,611 tons in the same period in 2024.  The largest supplier was Saudi Arabia which shipped 17,889 tons against 7,578 tons in the same seven months last year.  Belgium reduced shipments to Poland from 15,770 tons in the seven months last year to 19,139 tons this year.  Average prices for imports into Poland dropped from €1294.2 per ton in the seven months last year to €1205.0 ton this year.

Ethylbenzene imports amounted to 46,624 tons in January to July 2025 against 57,877 tons in January to July 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 seven months to 6,201 tons versus 7,695 tons in the same period last year.  Imports of phthalic anhydride dropped from 18,777 tons to 23,707 tons, whilst TDI inward shipments remained virtually unchanged at 32,767 tons.  PTA imports into Poland increased from 5,648 tons to 28,904 tons due to lower production at Wloclawek, which reduced the demand for imported paraxylene dropping from 9,104 tons to 23,869 tons. 

Average prices for phenol imported into Poland dropped to €922.3 per ton in the first seven months this year measured against €1330.7 per ton in January to July 2024.  Phenol imports into Poland amounted to a total of 59,780 tons in January to July 2025 which was down from 63,123 tons in the same period in 2024.  Germany remains the dominant supplier of phenol to Poland, shipping 49,155 tons in the seven months against 46,758 tons in the same period in 2024.    Spain and Finland accounted for smaller shipments. 

Czech aromatic trade Jan-Jul 2025

Benzene imports into the Czech Republic dropped in January to July this year to 17,036 tons against 32,345 tons in January to July 2024, whilst exports increased from 5,276 tons to 9,564 tons.  Toluene imports dropped from 3,419 tons to 2,924 tons. 

Imports of bisphenol A into the Czech Republic increased from 19,199 tons last year to 19,332 tons in January to July 2025.  South Korea accounted for most of the imports. 

Aniline exports from the Czech Republic dropped to 45,372 tons in January to July 2025 against 67,810 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 58,676 tons last year to 36,363 tons in January to July 2025.  Average prices for Czech aniline exports dropped from €1444.8 per ton to €1404.4 per ton this year.  Ethylbenzene exports from the Czech Republic decreased from 52,938 tons in the first seven months last year to 49,571 tons in January to July.

Czech epoxy resin exports Jan-Jul 2025

Czech exports of epoxy resins amounted to 31,978 tons in January to July against 30,146 tons in January to July 2024.  Prices rose from €2520.1 per ton to €2678.5 per ton.  Germany remains the largest market for Czech epoxy resins, accounting for 5,854 tons in January to July 2025 which was up from 7,388 tons in January to July 2024.  Czech exports of epoxy resins amounted to 49,063 tons in the twelve months of 2024 against 46,888 tons in 2023.  The European Commission imposed anti-dumping measures on 28 July 2025 concerning imports of epoxy resins originating in China.  The anti-dumping duties imposed have been set to last five years.

Hungarian aromatic trade Jan-Jul 2025

Hungarian benzene exports dropped in the first seven months to 10,300 tons in January to July 2025 against 30,856 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 seven months to 27,958 tons against 11,499 tons in the same period last year.  Poland increased shipments to 13,451 tons against 7,457 tons in 2024.

Toluene imports into Hungary amounted to 20,918 tons in January to July this year for costs of €19.452 million.  This represented a fall from 24,484 tons in the first seven months in 2024 for costs of €26.520 million.  The main source of toluene supply includes Germany, followed by Romania and Slovakia.

Hungarian TDI-MDI exports Jan-Jul 2025

Hungarian TDI exports fell from 154,205 tons in January to July in 2024 to 152,709 tons in the same period this year.  Average prices dropped from €1958.8 per ton in 2024 to €1818.6 per ton.  For raw materials for TDI production BorsodChem sources toluene from MOL which is supplemented by imports. 

In Central Europe shipments of TDI from Hungary to Poland increased from 17,026 tons in the first seven months in 2024 to 20,449 tons in the same period in 2025 and to Turkey reduced from 23,959 tons to 17,353 tons.  Shipments to Romania fell from 7,804 tons to 5,151 tons.  The major user of TDI in Romania is Chimcomplex.   In West Europe exports of TDI from Hungary to Belgium dropped from 24,209 tons in the first seven months last year to 21,868 tons in January to July 2024, whilst volumes to Italy increased from 19,282 tons to 20,084 tons in the same period in 2025. 

For the MDI sector, exports from Hungary amounted to 138,499 tons in January to July 2025 against 127,123 tons in 2024.  MDI export prices dropped from €1930.6 per ton in the first seven months last year to €1832.2 per ton this year.  

In terms of geographical breakdown, Poland was the largest destination for Hungarian MDI exports, accounting for 33,036 tons in the first seven months in 2025 versus 23,211 tons in the same period in 2024.  Exports to Germany fell slightly from 14,697 tons to 11,968 tons, and to Turkey from 1,525 tons to 9,494 tons.  Shipments to Romania rose from 10,807 tons to 14,521 tons.  

Central European isocyanate trade Jan-Jul 2025

TDI imports into Poland amounted to 32,767 tons in January to July against 32,791 tons in January to July 2024.  Prices of TDI imported into Poland dropped from €1993.7 per ton to €1869.0 per ton.  Hungary was the largest supplier in the seven months this year, shipping 20,966 tons to Poland followed by 12,347 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 108,086 tons in January to July this year against 80,013 tons in January to July 2024.  Average prices dropped from €2310.6 per ton to €1876.7 in January to July this year. 

Germany increased MDI shipments to Poland to 33,418 tons in the first seven months in 2025 against 22,909 tons in January to July 2024, whilst imports from Hungary increased to 33,313 tons against 20.534 tons in 2024.  Other suppliers included the Netherlands, Belgium and South Korea.

MDI imports into the Czech Republic totalled 25,016 tons in January to July 2025 against 23,886 tons in January to July 2024.  Average prices decreased from €2097.6 per ton to €1980.9 per ton.    The leading supplier was Belgium which shipped 6,671 tons against 6,084 tons in January to July 2024.  Imports from Hungary increased from 5,275 tons to 5,609 tons. 

Czech polyol imports Jan-Jul 2025

Czech polyol imports amounted to 27,592 tons in the first seven months this year against 26,294 tons in the same period in 2024, with average prices rising from €2308.8 per ton to €2504.4 per ton.  The leading supplier to the Czech Republic Belgium shipping 7,675 tons in the first seven months this year, followed by 4,768 tons from the Netherlands and 4,755 tons from Germany.    

Hungarian polyol imports Jan-Jul 2025

Imports of polyols into Hungary rose in the first seven months to 23,309 tons against 21,588 tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports from China amounted to 8,650 tons from 5,877 tons in January to July 2024.  Imports from the Netherlands increased from 4,913 tons to 5,575 tons.  Prices for polyol imports into Hungary amounted to €1593.8, down from €1788.9 per ton in the previous year. 

Polish polyol trade Jan-Jul 2025

Polish polyol imports amounted to 85,155 tons in January to July 2025 against 79,934 tons in January to July 2024.  The Netherlands reduced shipments from 21,536 tons to 16,907 tons, whilst Germany increased shipments from 19,026 tons to 20,342 tons.  Polyol import prices into Poland dropped from €1865.3 per ton to €1713.0 per ton.

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 seven months this year amounted to 30,624 tons against 32,553 tons in January to July 2024.  Prices dropped from €2129.8 per ton to €1945.5 per ton.  Destinations for deliveries were focused mostly on Europe, led by Italy taking 4,826 tons against 5,176 tons in the first seven months last year.  Shipments to Germany amounted to 3,282 tons in the first seven months against 3,837 tons in the same period in 2024.

For polyether polyols, imports from Asia increased significantly in the second quarter in 2025 forcing PCC Rokita to introduce price reductions resulting in a decrease in profitability.  One of the main challenges for European polyether-polyol producers in 2025 is striving to improve the efficiency of production costs.  The geopolitical situation could moreover significantly influence the flow of imports, including propylene, the price of gas and energy. 

European polyurethane production has been lower this year due to several plants incurring technical problems.  For consumption some customers have already reported a 20-30% drop in consumption in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024.  Currently the market size of polyether polyols in Europe is estimated at about 1.2 million tpa.  Despite the temporary downturn in the construction industry, thermal insulation is part of the EU s efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and has the potential to generate a further increase in demand.    

PCC Rokita-polyol division

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.  In the polyol sector 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 half of 2025, the polyurethanes segment for PCC Rokita recorded a decrease in results compared to 2024.  The segment's EBITDA fell 49.8% to zl 18.2 million (€4.27 million), whilst sales volumes dropped fractionally from 44,900 tons to 44,300 tons.    The first half of 2025 was mainly characterized by low demand on the polyether polyols market, but a market environment for polyester polyols.   

PCC Rokita Jan-Jun 2025

PCC Rokita s results came under continued pressure this year from weak demand in Europe and competition from Asia.  PCC Rokita reduced total revenues by 4.23% to zl 958.07 million (€224.6 million) in the first half in 2025, reduced net profit by 82.11% to zl 8.25 million (€1.93 million), and EBITDA by 29.08% to zl 118.28 million (€27.7 million).  Factors that affected PCC Rokita’s performance in the first half included persistently low margins due to aggressive price competition in the market, and increasing imports of polyether polyols of Asian origin.

Stagnation of demand in the consumer market was also seen in Europe in both the construction and automotive industries and furniture.  PCC Rokita has a 4-5% market share of polyether polyols in Europe. 

PCC Rokita-chlorine division

Results for PCC Rokita in the chlorine division were significantly lower than in the same period in 2024 including a drop of 54.6% for the EBITDA.  The results were affected by the situation on the propylene oxide market and also declines in the sales prices of hydrochloric acid.  Sales volumes of soda lye was 6.4% higher compared to the same period of the previous year.  

In the first half of the year, PCC Rokita continued to expand the membrane electrolysis unit with two more electrolyzers. The aim is to reduce electricity costs by increasing the variable load on the electrolysis plant, resulting from increased production capacity and the ability to adjust the load to changing energy prices.

Chimcomplex polyol sales Jan-Jun 2025

Chimcomplex achieved total revenues of 713.02 million lei (€142.6 million) in the first half of the year, down by 14.06% versus the same period in 2024.  Due to market factors Chimcomplex was forced to adjust its production, optimize its portfolio and make important production decisions, such as the temporary shutdown of the oxo-alcohol unit. At the same time, the company increased domestic sales and continued to attract new partners to the specialty polyether markets.

Net profits dropped for Chimcomplex from €6.539 million in the first half last year to minus €3.211 million in the first six months in 2025.   Polyol revenues dropped from €77.4 million in the first half in 2024 to €55.1 million. 

Polyols accounted for 45.1% of Chimcomplex’s sales in the first half of 2025, slightly up from last year.   The polyether market in the first half of 2025 fell into line with expected trends in consumption.  Major costs for Chimcomplex include propylene, natural gas and electricity.  Margins were restricted by the price of raw materials, including slightly higher prices for propylene.  Significantly electricity prices amounted to €147 per megawatt against €87 in the six months in 2024.   The supply-demand ratio was assessed as balanced in the first quarter, while the second quarter was characterized by decreases in prices and consumption.

Chimcomplex achieved total revenues of 713.02 million lei (€142.6 million) in the first half of the year, down by 14.06% versus the same period in 2024.  Due to market factors Chimcomplex was forced to adjust its production, optimize its portfolio and make production decisions, such as the temporary shutdown of the oxo-alcohol unit. At the same time, the company increased domestic sales, and continued to attract new partners to the specialty polyether markets.

Net profits dropped for Chimcomplex from €6.539 million in the first half last year to minus €3.211 million in the first six months in 2025.   Polyol revenues dropped from €77.4 million in the first half in 2024 to €55.1 million. 

Polyols accounted for 45.1% of sales in the first half of 2025, slightly up from last year but that is due to falls in other divisions.   The polyether market in the first half of 2025 fell into line with expected trends in consumption.  Major costs for Chimcomplex include propylene, natural gas and electricity.  Margins were restricted by the price of raw materials, including slightly higher prices for propylene.  Electricity prices amounted to €147 per megawatt against €87 in the five months in 2024.   The supply-demand ratio was assessed as balanced in the first quarter, while the second quarter was characterized by decreases in prices and consumption.

Hungarian maleic anhydride exports Jan-Jul 2025

Hungary exported 8,145 tons of maleic anhydride in January to July this year against 14,421 tons in January to July 2024.   Average prices rose from €1187.9 per ton to €1332.7 per ton.  Exports of maleic anhydride to Poland from Hungary decreased from 4,486 tons in 2024 to 1,210 tons in 2025.

Hungarian organic chemical exports Jan-Jul 2025

Exports of organic chemicals from Hungary totalled 313,508 tons in the first seven months in 2025, down from 375,865 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 €849.240 million which was down from €942.735 million in January to July 2024.

Imports of organic chemicals amounted to 479,390 tons in the first seven months this year against 420,410 tons in January to July 2024.  Imports consist of such products as styrene, methanol, aniline and acrylonitrile. 

Hungarian aniline & acrylonitrile imports Jan-Jul 2025

Aniline imports into Hungary dropped from 67,740 tons in January to July 2024 to 37,509 tons in January to July this year.  Inward shipments from BorsodChem-MCHZ in the Czech Republic dropped to 37,305 tons against 59,773 tons in 2024.  Cost prices of aniline imports declined from €1431.1 per ton to €1417.6 per ton.

Acrylonitrile imports into Hungary increased from 6,988 tons in the first seven months to 2024 to 13,587 tons in the same period in 2024.   Imports from the Netherlands increased from 5,356 tons to 11,572 tons.  Average prices for acrylonitrile imports increased from 1510.4 per ton to €1578.3.

Polish glycol-oxide imports Jan-Jul 2025

Ethylene glycol imports into Poland dropped in January to July to 15,759 tons from 32,652 tons in the same period last year.  Belgium is the main supplier of glycols to the Polish market.  DEG imports amounted to 18,607 tons against 19,112 tons.

Ethylene oxide imports into Poland totalled 14,170 tons in January to July 2025 versus 12,843 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. 

The PCC Exol Group is the largest consumer of ethylene oxide in Poland.  The company recorded margins of 17.0% in the first half against 17.6% in the same period last year.  Revenues also include sales of ethylene oxide to PCC Group companies, which account for more than 8% of total revenues.  The largest increase in sales volume was recorded in the group of products for industrial applications.  In this group, volume sales in the first half in 2025 were 37.7% higher than in the first half of 2024, rising from 20,700 tons to 28,500 tons.  For detergents and cosmetics sales volumes increased by 2,400 tons to 38,800 tons.

Polish organic chemical trade Jan-Jul 2025

Organic chemical trade in Poland was overall higher in the first seven months this year against January to July 2024, although export volumes were slightly lower.  Exports of organic chemicals from Poland dropped by volume to 882,500 tons from 935,200 tons, whilst imports increased from 2.296 million tons to 2.471 million tons.  Despite lower volumes, export values increased from €747.5 million to €761.9 million, whilst import values rose from €1.585 million to €1.693 million.    

The largest organic chemical import is methanol where the inward flow into Poland totalled 360,761 tons in January to July 2025, which was down from 370,761 tons in the same period last year.  Regarding methanol derivatives Poland imported 24,852 tons of acetic acid in January to July against 20,541 tons in the same period last year.  The US provided 19,807 tons in the first seven months this year.

Imports of ethyl acetate into Poland amounted to 9,403 tons in January to July, down from 9,949 tons.  Mexico supplied 2,349 tons of ethyl acetate to Poland in the first seven months this year, with other sources coming from Belgium and the Netherlands.  VAM imports into Poland increased in January to 23,304 tons against 12,661 tons in January to July 2024. 

Isopropanol imports into Poland totalled 9,371 tons in January to July 2025, against 7,284 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 23,473 tons in the seven months against 18,991 tons in January to July 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 6,475 tons versus 6,050 tons in January to July 2024.   The main markets for Polish acetone exports included Italy, Germany, Romania and Lithuania.

Czech organic chemical trade Jan-Jul 2025

Czech imports of organic chemicals are led by methanol where volumes amounted to 30,499 tons in January to July 2025 against 43,861 tons in January to July last year.  2-EH imports dropped from 12,865 tons to 12,308 tons, with Poland providing the largest source of supply.   Oxygenated solvent imports include acetone and ethyl acetate, amounting to 3,156 tons and 2,162 tons respectively in the seven months. 

Organic chemical imports totalled €787.5 million in value in the first seven months this year against €800.6 million in the same period in 2024, with import volumes dropping to 405,200 tons against 408,800 tons.  Organic chemical exports from the Czech Republic dropped by value to €751.0 million against €669.0 million in January to July 2024, with volumes dropping from 342,900 tons to 296,900 tons.  Imports of DINP plasticizers increased to 6,901 tons against 4,434 tons in the same period in 2024.

Czech methanol imports Jan-Jul 2025

Czech imports of methanol amounted to 30,499 tons in the first seven months this year against 43,861 tons in the same period in 2024.  Prices per ton for methanol imports increased from €385.9 per ton to €461.2 per ton.  Poland was the largest supplier, accounting for 9,684 tons against 31,605 tons in the same period in 2024.  The US has started supplying the Czech Republic this year, totalling 7,281 tons in the first seven months in 2025. 

Hungarian methanol imports Jan-Jul 2025

Methanol imports into Hungary in January to July increased to 64,532 tons from 61,253 tons in the same period in 2024.  Imports from Germany dropped from 37,192 tons to 25,599 tons, whilst imports from the Netherlands increased from 9,727 tons last year to 17,870 tons.  Imports from Slovenia amounted to 8,644 tons in the first seven months this year, against 11,801 tons in 2024.  Average prices of methanol imports into Hungary amounted to €479.8 per ton in 2025 against €433.3 per ton in 2024.

Polish methanol trade Jan-Jul 2025

Polish imports of methanol amounted to 360,761 tons in the seven months this year against 370,218 tons in January to July 2024.  Average prices amounted to €381.7 per ton against €326.1 per ton last year.  

Imports from Trinidad totalled 79,267 tons in the seven months against 1,543 tons in the same period in 2024.   Supplies from the US this year totalled 80,752 tons, replacing shipments from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.  Imports from Germany declined from 56,611 tons in the seven months to 39,746 tons in the same period in 2025, whilst volumes from the Netherlands dropped from 38,766 tons to 15,450 tons.