Polyol markets in the United States moved higher through April as tighter domestic availability converged with stronger downstream buying. Early April trading remained orderly, but replenishment demand and spot liquidity progressively tightened balances. Softer upstream feedstock trends offered limited relief, leaving buyers to accept higher offers for near-term cargoes. ChemAnalyst data show the market shifting from a sideways start to a firmer posture by April. Demand for Polyol across markets underpinned the upswing, with construction and insulation robust and driving tighter spot availability. Flexible polyurethane applications, including furniture foam and bedding, supported brisk activity and lifted volumes. The lift was not uniform: discount-driven automotive procurement and logistics pressures kept some buyers from fully participating, while coatings demand provided steady support. On the supply side, U.S. production met needs through mid-April, with tightening spot availability. Propylene oxide costs eased modestly but did not offset firm downstream demand, underscoring a near-term outlook that remains stable to firm as replenishment continues.
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.
