HDPE markets in the United States shifted sharply in early March after a relatively steady February, as repricing disrupted short-term procurement plans. Initial activity built on routine replenishment, but the late-winter spike ended range-bound trading. Sellers cited tighter trade flows and renewed freight and insurance premiums as catalysts, while buyers re-evaluated spot needs ahead of spring restocking. Downstream demand remained constructive across packaging and construction, though some seasonal agricultural pull-through lagged into mid-March. Film led the rally, while agricultural film lagged; blowmolding and injection-moulding remained firm. Upstream, ethylene costs rose, adding pressure on producers, though higher ethane supply and abundant natural gas helped moderate the impact. Domestic inventories stayed comfortable, limiting immediate pass-through but keeping the market vulnerable to renewed re-rating with flows shifting. Near-term outlook points to heightened volatility through the spring and into early summer, with sizable but moderating monthly moves as demand replenishes align with seasonal cycles.
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.
