Polyol prices in Europe increased slightly in December 2025, supported by higher energy and raw material costs, which kept the margins under pressure despite a stable production level. Demand for Polyol showed a mixed but stable pattern. Furniture and bedding manufacturers experienced weak orders, which constrained flexible foam production, but demand for insulation materials in construction and industrial projects gave a substantial boost to rigid Polyols. The automotive industry also contributed to positive utilizations of polyol-based PU foams, supported by strong car sales and increasing demand for electric vehicles. Meanwhile, Polyol production rates were balanced due to steady feedstock supply, and exports were stable but not very strong, as global trade tensions and high energy costs continued to weigh on competitiveness. Looking ahead, Polyol prices will fall in the first half of 2026 due to the slowing demand pressure, more cheap imports from Asia, enough supply of feedstock, and normal shipping, contributing to a moderate price correction.
Selenis has effectively manufactured recycled PET chips using terephthalic acid sourced from Circ®, a textile-to-textile recycler based in Virginia. The chip production took place through a series of batches at Selenis' pilot plant in San-Giorgio, Italy. By utilizing inputs recovered from polycotton textile waste, Selenis has created high-quality PET chip, which has been further processed into DTY yarn. This yarn will play a crucial role in product development as Circ prepares for additional capsule launches. Selenis is leveraging the success of this initial collaboration phase and is committed to advancing towards an offtake partnership to support Circ's inaugural industrial facility.
Eduardo Santos, Head of Corporate Strategy at Selenis, remarked that the monomer synthesis showed a performance comparable to virgin terephthalic acid. He expressed optimism about the consistent quality of Circ's monomer output and anticipated future commercial success. Santos pointed out that the Circ partnership complements Selenis's existing mission and goals for a more sustainable textile industry. He further stated their anticipation of expanding upon this collaboration and providing support for Circ's forthcoming commercial production trials.
