The Urethane Blog
October 9, 2025
How truck spot rates are shifting
Tracking the changes to dry van, reefer and flatbed truck freight rates provides a window into the state of the market.
Updated an hour ago
Tracking the latest trucking spot rates can help trucking executives and shippers alike anticipate future contract rates and needs.
These highlights for national spot rates come from data from DAT Freight & Analytics, measuring a weekly moving average that excludes a fuel surcharge.
While rates surged when the COVID-19 pandemic caused demand to spike, the industry has subsequently been stuck in weaker conditions for about two years. Because rates are constantly shifting, Trucking Dive is working with DAT to bring readers frequent insights into how spot rates are shifting.
Scroll further for a deeper look at trends since 2019, in a chart, as well as frequent updates below.
https://www.truckingdive.com/news/truck-freight-rates-changes-tracker/715709/
October 5, 2025
Dow to shut Belgian polyols plant by March 2026
- Market: Petrochemicals
- 02/10/25
US chemical firm Dow will shut its 94,000 t/yr polyether polyols production site at Tertre, Belgium, by the end of March next year, it confirmed to Argus today.
The move is part of a broader review of the company’s European assets aimed at addressing “the structural challenges of high costs, driven by high energy costs and a burdensome regulatory environment”, Dow said.
The site is likely to be dismantled after closure, workers’ union FGTB said. The plant has three production lines, but two were already idled as part of a restructuring that began in 2023, according to the union. The closure will affect 37 roles and eight contractor positions.
Dow said it does not expect any impact to customers and will continue delivering the same product mix. The firm has 530,000 t/yr of polyether polyols capacity at its Terneuzen site in the Netherlands and a further 60,000 t/yr in Tarragona, Spain.
Europe’s polyether polyols market has been pressured by weak demand and excess production capacity, compounded by rising imports, mainly from Asia.
Dow said a loss of competitiveness in the face of increased imports was a key factor in the decision to close the Tertre site.
Imports of all polyethers, including polyether polyols, into the EU averaged 286,000 t/yr in 2020–24, with record deliveries of 323,000t last year. Imports in January–July this year were 6.3pc higher than the same period a year earlier. China is the leading supplier, followed by South Korea and Saudi Arabia.
Demand from key polyether polyol sectors — including automotive, appliances and soft furnishings — has been hit by limited consumer confidence and lower spending on durable goods. Demand from the construction sector has also faltered on economic uncertainty and a weak investment environment.
Argus assessed the September contract price for flexible slabstock polyether polyols at €1,030–1,100/t, down from a midpoint of €1,225/t in January and 24pc lower than the September 2024 price. Early indications for October suggest continued softening in the polyols market.
By Laura Tovey-Fall
October 2, 2025
Please celebrate the life of our amazing, vibrant colleague and dear friend, Chris Gallagher, who passed in March.
Chris and one of his many colorful jackets!
Chris Gallagher began his urethane career at Albright and Wilson, then later moved on to Air Products and finally Evonik, after they purchased the Air Products urethane business. He was well known and liked in the industry, always cheering people on with both his attitude and his attire! He loved hot Mexican food, college football, and created a lot of nicknames for people. As we gather at the CPI meeting this year, please remember Chris and his family.
Chris was a great person and a great salesperson!
September 29, 2025
India Imposes ADD on Chinese Copolymer Polyol Following DGTR Investigation
PUdaily | Updated: September 29, 2025
On September 26, 2025, the Indian government took steps to protect its domestic chemical industry from unfairly traded imports, announcing definitive anti-dumping duties on a key polymer imported from China. The decision follows an extensive investigation by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which found evidence of significant dumping causing material injury to a local producer.
The duties apply to imports of “Copolymer Polyol of hydroxyl value >= 23.5” (HS Codes 3907 2910 and 3907 2990), a chemical primarily used in the production of flexible foam for mattresses and other applications. The DGTR clarified that Polyester Polyol of the same grade is excluded from this measure.
The investigation, initiated in September 2024, concluded that imports from China were entering the Indian market at dumped prices, with margins ranging from 20% to over 50%. This unfair pricing undercut domestic sales and severely harmed the financial health of the sole Indian manufacturer, M/s Expanded Polymer Systems Pvt. Ltd.
The following key findings from the investigation formed the basis for the final determination:
- Massive Import Surge & Market Displacement: Import volumes from China surged by 287% (from 4,988 to 19,338 MT), seizing over 90% of the total import market. This massive influx displaced traditional suppliers from Europe and the USA and severely eroded the domestic industry’s market share.
- Significant Price Undercutting & Suppression: The landed value of Chinese imports was consistently 10-20% below the domestic industry’s price. This forced the domestic producer to suppress its prices below its own cost of sales for the entire period, directly preventing profitability.
- Severe Financial Injury: Despite a 96% growth in domestic demand, the domestic company operated at a loss with negative returns. Its capacity utilisation was critically low at around 32%, while inventories swelled by 137%, confirming financial distress due to unfair competition.
- Causal Link Established: The Authority definitively ruled out other factors like demand contraction or technological changes, concluding that the surge of low-priced, dumped imports was the primary cause of the material injury.
In its final findings, the DGTR affirmed that Expanded Polymer Systems Pvt. Ltd. constitutes a valid ‘domestic industry’ and that a direct causal link exists between the dumped imports and the injury suffered.
Recommended Anti-Dumping Duties
The DGTR has recommended the following duties (CIF value in USD per Metric Tonne) for a period of five years:
The authority stated that the imposition of these duties aligns with the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) framework and aims to restore fair competition in the Indian market. It emphasised that the measures are not intended to restrict imports but to ensure they enter India at non-injurious prices, thereby safeguarding the interests of the domestic industry.
India’s Ministry of Finance will issue the final notification for the imposition of these duties.
September 28, 2025
Chemical Grade Propylene is $0.34/lb in September, flat from August
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