The CR coil (cold rolled coil) market strengthened through March as steady domestic demand and limited import availability supported a firm upward trend. Early buying from automotive programs and scheduled white goods production set a constructive tone, while mid month construction activity and seasonal restocking kept offtake stable. Mills focused on fulfilling contracts, and service centre purchasing remained largely just in time, preventing speculative stockpiling. The automotive sector continued to absorb substantial CR coil volumes for stamping and body panel applications, with planned capacity expansions at major manufacturers expected to secure additional offtake. Appliance, HVAC and construction needs added consistent support. Feedstock conditions were stable, allowing mills to maintain normal operations, while rising freight risk premiums encouraged cautious purchasing. Weekly assessments showed a steady, measured price advance into mid April, reflecting firm automotive draws and spring restocking. Looking ahead, construction seasonality, tariff protection and strong mill utilisation are expected to keep CR coil pricing supported into the spring.
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.
