For the Oxoplast Segment, the periodic meetings of the European Petrochemical Luncheon International (EPL) are key industry events. EPL is a European “mood exchange,” a place for intensive networking, where directions for the coming months are established behind the scenes.

During the event, discussions focused on the impact of geopolitics on supply chains, particularly the situation in the Middle East and its impact on the costs, availability, and logistics of products and raw materials for production in the advanced chemicals sector. There was also a lively discussion on the assumptions of the EU’s “Fit for 55” package – how European climate policy affects the profitability of European industrial economies and how to cope with growing competition from Asia, and beyond, with significant cost advantages.

– We returned from Hamburg with clear conclusions – the sudden price and demand rebound that occurred in recent months has ended, and the market is returning to trends from the beginning of the year. However, processors will be closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, taking into account, on the one hand, the security of supply, and, on the other, the rapid price correction and the desire of Asian producers to restore regular supplies to Europe. European producers will, however, seek modern, specialized solutions – providing an advantage over the mass import of cheaper raw materials and products, but also continue to protect local markets from unfair competition. We must base our market policy on these assumptions – says Waldemar Pawelczyk, Commercial Director of the Oxoplast Segment, after returning from the Event.