PAO values in the US firmed in early March as feedstock inflation and geopolitical risk encouraged buyers to lock in volumes ahead of volatility. After a largely flat late February, downstream procurement shifted toward pre-season stocking and pre-summer lubricant intake. PAO domestic supply remained broadly adequate with Gulf Coast operations normal, yet sentiment tilted toward sellers as energy costs rose and export inquiries weighed on the market. The balance favored sellers in the opening weeks, tightening spot availability and drawing interest from automotive and industrial lubricant buyers. Demand remained steady across core sectors, supporting a modest price rise for PAO. Automotive firms continued sourcing for advanced engine oils and lubricant base stocks; industrial machinery and wind turbine operators kept purchasing heavy-duty synthetics. Export activity to Latin America absorbed volumes, underpinning sentiment. February assessments showed PAO at elevated levels, reflecting vendor-side push to shield margins against rising feedstock spends. Upstream cost pressures, including ethylene and natural gas constraints, added to PAO production costs.
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.
