Echoes from Plast 2026: MOL Group takes stock

Following Plast 2026, we interviewed Péter Császár, Senior Vice President of MOL Group Chemicals, to take stock of the company's achievements at the international exhibition in Milan, discuss the current dynamics of the raw materials market, and explore the outlook on sustainability and circularity.

How would you assess MOL Group's participation in Plast 2026? What contact or business opportunities has this edition generated for your company?
“Plast 2026 once again demonstrated that the event goes far beyond a traditional exhibition. It provides a strategic platform to engage directly with key industry stakeholders across the plastics value chain, strengthen existing strategic partnerships, and connect with potential partners to explore new opportunities. We were pleased to welcome a large number of visitors to our stand and to hold numerous meetings and discussions. Our sales and technical representatives demonstrated how we can serve the European market with a wide range of products and the latest innovations from our petrochemical facilities in Hungary and Slovakia. Whether it’s high-performance virgin grades, or polypropylene and polyethylene based compounds, we use these events to demonstrate how our solutions contribute to a more sustainable and efficient future”.

Against a backdrop of complex and uncertain market conditions, what signals did you pick up from the processors and other supply chain operators you met at the fair regarding demand for raw materials? 
“The European chemical industry is currently operating in a highly volatile environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, supply security risks and structural competitiveness challenges, further pressured by operational and structural constraints. Besides unplanned outages and spring turnarounds, refiners prioritising fuel production over chemical feedstocks have significantly reduced feedstock availability for chemicals, limiting flexibility on the supply side. At the same time, recent developments around the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting increase in crude oil prices may introduce additional market volatility, creating further uncertainty for both feedstock costs and demand outlook”.

Sustainability, circularity and AI were central themes at Plast 2026: to what extent are these priorities influencing your customers' requirements and the direction of your product offering?
“MOL Group is actively present in circular polymer solutions, including engineering plastics based on post-industrial waste through the AURORA Kunststoffe portfolio, as well as ISCC PLUS-certified circular polymers. Our recycled polyethylene (rPE) blends combine post-consumer and post-industrial recyclates to deliver virgin-like quality while meeting the latest regulatory and sustainability standards, including PPWR compliance. Our high-performance polypropylene PP compound grades with possible recyclate content include homopolymer and copolymer-based compounds reinforced with glass fibers, natural fibers, post-industrial recycled fillers, and mineral talc. The development of this market is primarily driven by regulatory requirements, customer demand linked to sustainability targets, and the availability of high-quality, traceable feedstock, while consistent quality and performance remain essential across the industry. Despite the EU’s ambitious recycling targets for 2030, the European plastic recycling sector is currently under pressure rather than expanding. To close the gap between the lack of viable business cases for recyclers and the EU’s policy ambitions, urgent regulatory action is needed. While the transition towards recycled and circular plastics is progressing more gradually than initially expected, circularity remains a strategic priority for MOL Group. We are actively supporting our customers today through our ISCC+ certified product offering and continue to explore further recycled solutions, including mechanically recycled products. We believe the EU regulations entering into force in 2030 will provide a significant boost to market development and create new momentum for recycled plastics”.