NBR market in the US shifted from early-month firmness to late-month softening as logistics and import flows rebalanced, prompting price discipline among sellers. April offered firming sentiment driven by tightened logistics and rising NBR costs, while mid-April momentum supported by feedstock risk premiums and resilient NBR buying. Late April, import volumes and easing freight costs reduced pressure, enabling stock clearance by NBR suppliers. Overall, the NBR market moved from tight upward pressure to a balanced, range-bound stance as buyers pursued destocking and cautious procurement. NBR demand dispersion widened as automotive components, rubber goods and hoses reduced purchases, while general demand provided intermittent support, especially earlier. Upstream volatility in butadiene and acrylonitrile shaped NBR input costs, with freight-insurance risk premiums linked to regional tensions tightening early offers, then easing. Spot levels and fresh offers circulated as distributors rebuilt inventories and suppliers cleared cargoes. The near-term outlook remains mixed to range-bound, with downside risks from imports and softer demand; procurement teams should monitor flow data and inventory levels.
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.
