US Carbon Black markets softened into mid-May after a mixed April, as weekly assessments turned down with demand cooling and producers facing softer economics from lower crude and aromatics. Still, steady furnace utilization and export inquiries cushioned the decline in the Carbon Black, keeping markets cautious. Logistics remained orderly, while typical summer demand softness could cap upside for Carbon Black. Demand was uneven across end-use sectors. Automotive and tyre demand remained the primary anchor for Carbon Black on healthier vehicle output, with North American light-vehicle assemblies up versus prior period and replacement tire shipments holding firm. In contrast, construction rubber goods showed softer activity amid flat non-residential demand and only modest cement gains. On the supply side, major Texas and Louisiana furnaces operated well above standard thresholds, sustaining output and avoiding tightness. Inventories stayed around normal levels, and late-April bids edged lower. Looking ahead, analysts see a modest upside of around 5% for Carbon Black, driven by feedstock and energy cost dynamics, export availability, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, tempered by seasonal demand rhythms.
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.
