The European market for polymers has been under pressure for several months and the negative consequences of raw material shortages and price increases are seriously impacting the production of plastic products in the EU. Plastic converting companies all over Europe are reporting difficulties in getting the necessary raw materials to keep their production running, as well as alarmingly low stocks.

EUPC MANAGING DIRECTOR: THE SITUATION HAS WORSENED RAPIDLY

"Since December 2020, the situation has worsened rapidly. Additionally, extreme weather conditions in the USA have lead to production losses also affecting the European market. In addition, European producers have also been declaring increased numbers of Force Majeure cases in the past months, as the Polymers for Europe Alliance already reported in January." Explains EuPC Managing Director Alexandre Dangis.

50,000 SMALL TO MEDIUM PLASTIC CONVERTER COMPANIES IN EUROPE FACE RAW MATERIAL SHORTAGES

"There are about 50,000 small to medium plastic converter companies in Europe, which have to face raw material shortages and significant price increases without any leverage in the negotiations with multinational polymer producers," says EuPC President Renato Zelcher. "If the situation continues like this, more and more companies will have to reduce their production, leading in turn to shortages of plastic products such as food packaging or parts for the construction or automotive industry."

PLASTICFINDER READY TO DO ITS BEST

EuPC calls upon its partners in the European polymer manufacturing industry to work together with their European customers to try and resolve this difficult situation as soon as possible in order not to put supplies of essential goods in danger. PlasticFinder will do its best to help the plastic sector.