ABS: Although production capacities were well utilised and converters were sitting on full order books, ABS prices were soft at the beginning of October. Producers continued to defend price hikes of 10 pfennigs put through in the second quarter. This was about all they could manage, despite all the talk and announcements to the contrary. The fight for market shares continued unabated, whereby the presence of polymer from southern Europe in northwestern markets at prices below the level shown in the Plasteurope.com table played a role. As there was plenty of standard polymer available, delivery times were short. Sellers of Asian material also were present in the market with attractive prices.

Unlike standard products, pre-coloured ABS was not readily available. Converters complained of higher prices as well as longer delivery times. Market observers were not quite sure whether this tightness heralded the coming of higher prices for all grades, or if it was just a quirk

PA: Manufacturers' efforts to push numbers forward by as much as 30 pfennigs seem to be still stuck in the mud. Market players describe overall order levels as good. Producers and compounders are trying their best to keep material flowing. Increases implemented in recent months have kept prices for standard and automotive grades so firm that material priced below the broad range shown in the Plasteurope.com table has been hard to come by. The next target for an increase is PA 6.6, and polymer players hope the market will take off over the next several weeks.

POM: In early October, the market leader tried to lift prices, apparently with little success, according to what Plasteurope.com has heard from customers for medium-sized to large shipments. "Talks are still going on, and no conclusion has been reached" was the general message. By contrast, some smaller converters reported having to plunk down an additional 15-20 pfennigs. Second-tier manufacturers appeared to be waiting in the wings with price hikes of their own if the time seemed ripe. Sellers of Asian and eastern European material evidently didn't know which way to go. Their motto seemed to be: stay flexible, and don't take risks that would endanger market share.