Hexene in the USA cooled after a firm April as demand-driven flows that supported prices earlier faced rising merchant availability and headwinds. Early April strength came from packaging and stretch-film demand, tightening the merchant pool, while mid-month condensate disruptions added upside risk. Late-April easing in ethylene and cracker runs broadened FOB availability, and that dynamic carried into early May, shifting sentiment from bullish to cautious across the Gulf Coast market. Packaging and consumer-goods sectors remained the primary demand engine through April, with stretch-film orders and resins prompting Gulf Coast producers to lift run-rates and reduce merchant barrels. In contrast, late-month buyer caution trimmed spot appetite as sanction-related trade-finance risks reappeared. The April assessment rose around eight percent month-on-month, highlighting strong pull, while early May showed a softer tone and a decline amid volatility. The near-term outlook remains mixed and volatile, with upside risks from condensate tightness and continued polyethylene procurement, offset by ethylene moves and higher cracker runs.
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.
