LONDON (ICIS)--Europe oxo-alcohols and derivatives markets have seen prices spike in the wake of the US-Iran war, although they have started to stablize through the month of April.

With a challenging two months since the start of the US-Iran war pushing prices up dramatically and tightening the global supply chain, the European markets have been hit hard. However, there are some signs that prices are starting to stabilize, even if supply remains tight and prices high.

Acrylate esters editor Mathew Jolin-Beech speaks to oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate editor Marion Boakye and glycol ethers editor Cameron Birch about how each sector has been hit and impacted by the war.

In the latest episode of the ICIS Sustainably Speaking podcast, PETCORE Europe’s Jose‑Antonio Alarcón talks to Matt Tudball, ICIS Senior Editor, Recycling, why PET thermoform recycling remains significantly behind bottle recycling and what must change as the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) approaches.

He outlines efforts to move from theory to real‑world compliance, including tray‑to‑tray recycling demonstrators and the development of functional barrier technologies under Regulation (EU) 2022/1616. Alarcón also warns that progress will depend heavily on earlier investment and stronger engagement from packers and retailers, despite growing technological readiness across the recycling value chain.

The PETCORE Europe Thermoforms Conference on 18-19 June 2026 in Valencia, Spain.

Key topics discussed:

• PET thermoform recycling lags far behind bottles
• PPWR demands proven, scalable recycling solutions
• Tray‑to‑tray recycling is achievable, not theoretical
• Functional barriers critical for food‑contact approval
• Packers and retailers remain key bottleneck
• Early action and enforcement needed to meet targets

The Middle East conflict has affected fertilizer markets pushing prices up due to tight availability and leading to demand destruction in some regions.

In this podcast, urea editor Deepika Thapliyal, sulphur editor Manuja Pandey, phosphates editor Chris Vlachopoulos, sulphuric acid editor Andy Hemphill and ammonia editor Sylvia Traganida discuss the latest market developments.

· Urea prices jump on tight availability, drop in demand on low affordability

· Sulphur supply tightness leads to two-tier market for industrial users and fertilizer producers

· China export ban of sulphuric acid pushes prices to record highs

· Concerns arise in Europe on farmer affordability leading to phosphates demand destruction

· Lack of ammonia availability from the Middle East pushes Asian prices up and makes buyers look eastward for product