US polycarbonate prices increased during mid-May 2026 due to rising crude oil prices, supply chain disruptions, and stronger domestic logistics activity. Escalating tensions in the Middle East and continued uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz pushed Brent crude above USD 106 per barrel and WTI above USD 102 per barrel, raising feedstock and production costs for polycarbonate manufacturers. Additional maritime security incidents near the UAE increased freight and insurance expenses for chemical shipments. Meanwhile, North American chemical railcar loadings rose significantly, reflecting stable industrial demand. Strong procurement from packaging, electronics, and automotive sectors, along with higher operational costs across supply chains, further supported the upward price trend.
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.
