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Market Forecast
Canadian Plastics podcast: Resin supply, demand and pricing during COVID-19, Part 3: Polystyrene
by Canadian PlasticsResin supply, demand and pricing during COVID-19 – A podcast series GUEST: Zachary Moore TOPIC: Resin supply, demand and pricing during COVID-19, Part 3: Polystyrene DESCRIPTION: In part three of our series, market expert Zachary Moore gives an overview of the North American…
Pace of the decline in global auto sales “moderated” in May, report says
by Canadian PlasticsThe latest Global Auto Report from Scotiabank says that a slow climb back has begun for global auto sales.
Canadian Plastics podcast: Resin supply, demand and pricing during COVID-19, Part 2: Polypropylene
by Canadian PlasticsResin supply, demand and pricing during COVID-19 – A podcast series GUEST: Zachary Moore TOPIC: Resin supply, demand and pricing during COVID-19, Part 2: Polypropylene DESCRIPTION: In part two, market expert Zachary Moore gives an overview of the North American polypropylene (PP) market,…
COVID-19 is hurting demand for PET, report says
by Canadian PlasticsLockdowns and restrictions are dampening demand for PET in what should be a season of high demand, according to a new report from an analyst at ICIS.
Moldmakers predict 25% drop in revenue from original 2020 forecasts, survey shows
by Canadian PlasticsDie builders and die casters are expecting the most significant drop, the survey conducted by Harbour Results Inc. says, followed by stamping, molding, and mold builders.
Manufacturing sales see largest-ever drop in April: StatCan
by Canadian PlasticsThe April decline was much deeper than many analysts had been expecting.
Chemical industry faces volatile backdrop on road to recovery
by Joseph Chang, Global Editor, ICIS Chemical BusinessThe coronavirus crisis may simply accelerate key macro trends already underway, creating a volatile backdrop for chemical companies to navigate on the road to recovery. Four key macro trends are shaping global discontentment: growing income inequality; the displacement of labour…
Plunge in Canadian auto sales decelerated in May, Scotiabank says
by Canadian PlasticsU.S. auto sales also saw a smaller decline in May, according to Scotiabank’s latest Auto News Flash.
Global polyester production is expected to decline by more than half a million tonnes this year, report says
by Canadian PlasticsThe knock-on effects will also hit global demand for polyester’s key raw materials paraxylene and PTA in the coming years, the new report from Wood Mackenzie said.
Small business confidence fell in May, CFIB survey says
by Canadian PlasticsThirty-nine per cent of reporting manufacturing firms identified business health as bad.
Pandemic pauses North American plastics machinery shipments during first quarter
by Canadian PlasticsBut a new report by the Plastics Industry Association does show increases in some areas.
OPINION: The chemical industry’s response to a crisis while in crisis
by Dean Curtis, president and CEO of ICISIn recent months, it has never been clearer just how important and responsive this industry is when faced with a global health crisis.
Canadian small business confidence on the rise, but half are still in bad shape: CFIB
by Canadian PlasticsSevere operating challenges remain, but Canada’s small business sentiment improved in early May, according to new figures from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
Plastics and composites will maintain growth trajectory through 2020 despite COVID-19, report says
by Canadian PlasticsDespite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across industries, the demand for modular building materials and advanced admixtures will propel the construction chemicals segment, according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan.
Oil supply cuts could curtail 15% of ethylene supply in Middle East, analyst says
by Canadian PlasticsThe potential loss is due to oil supply dynamics, according to new analysis from Wood Mackenzie, and equates to around 1.5 million tons of ethylene.
Barnes Group projects sales to drop more than 20% in Q2 for industrial units
by Canadian PlasticsThe Bristol, Conn.-based company said first-quarter sales in its industrial businesses, which include its plastics-related units, automation, engineered components, and motion controls, fell 18 per cent to US$199.1 million.
Canadian auto sales plunged in April, Scotiabank says
by Canadian PlasticsAnd while provinces will gradually start re-opening on varying timelines in May, Scotiabank expects auto sales to remain weak throughout the second quarter.
European olefins production could recover in 2020 despite COVID-19, report says
by Canadian PlasticsThe recovery could be due to lighter turnaround schedules and competitive naphtha prices making Europe’s steam cracker fleet more competitive, according to a new report from Wood Mackenzie.
China’s economy contracts for the first time on record
by Canadian PlasticsFor the first time since at least 1992, China’s economy contracted as the COVID-19 pandemic brought economic activity in the country to a halt.
COVID-19 crisis boosts flexible packaging demand in U.S. and Europe, forecast says
by Canadian PlasticsResearch firm Wood Mackenzie forecasts U.S. demand for consumer flexible packaging to increase by up to 10% this year, compared to 3% in 2019; and in Europe, demand growth could climb to above 5% this year.