Polymer Prices World Regions

North America December 2023: Weak 2023 ends with price reductions, rollovers / Economic slowdown continues to affect demand / Falling feedstock quotations put polymers under pressure at start of 2024

China standard thermoplastics November 2023: Off season lull prevails in consumer markets / Preparations for New Year's celebrations begin / Further discounts seen in December apart from PET

China engineering thermoplastics November 2023: Prices mostly lower due to softer feedstock cost, low demand, healthy supply / Only polyamides, POM up / December seen sideways to lower

North America November 2023: Rollovers, reductions prevail / Only PP moves higher / Weak orders coincide with ample supply / Year set to end on soft note

China engineering thermoplastics October 2023: Prices broadly lower as feedstocks take cue from softer crude oil / November prices expected to ease on softer demand

China standard thermoplastics October 2023: Prices fall across the board / Demand largely weak / Buying to remain slow in November

North America October 2023: Rollovers predominate, only PP and PS move up / Surplus in nearly all segments / End of strike in auto industry unlikely to affect prices / Reductions expected in November / Further uncertainty due to Middle East conflict

China engineering thermoplastics September 2023: Expensive crude oil pushes polymer prices / National holiday paralyses demand in October / Unchanged to falling quotations expected

China standard thermoplastics September 2023: Price increases across the board / Expensive feedstock drives prices / Demand to enter off-season soon / PE grades to continue upward trend

North America September 2023: Mixed picture for standards / Forces majeures remain for PE, PP / Car industry strike hurts ordering / Price cuts likely in October

China standard thermoplastics August 2023: Prices rise / Supply declines / Market shows positive sentiment

China engineering thermoplastics August 2023: Prices mostly higher as feedstock prices firm, supply slows / Only PA 6.6, ABS lower amid higher supply or lower feedstock cost / Seasonal demand to support September prices

North America August 2023: Prices vary / Firmer styrene costs prop up PS / Hurricane Idalia has no effect on prices so far / Extent of damage to polymer production not yet clear / September likely to be generally weaker

China standard thermoplastics July 2023: Most grades dearer amid lower supply / Rise in crude prices drives production costs / August forecast flat to higher as costs rise, demand firms

China engineering thermoplastics July 2023: Weak demand pushes PA 6.6, PMMA, PBT prices lower / Other grades supported by higher feedstock prices or higher demand / August seen bullish

North America July 2023: Contracts roll over or fall further / Oversupply of engineering thermoplastics / Feedstock prices rise / Styrene increases significantly / No trend turnaround in sight

China standard thermoplastics June 2023: Prices mostly lower / Weak demand and ample supply / July demand for most plastics set to remain weak

China engineering thermoplastics June 2023: Prices down across the board / Feedstocks mostly lower / Lackluster buying as market enters summer lull / July seen softer

North America June 2023: Weak market fundamentals and falling feedstock prices depress polymer markets / Producers cut back capacities

China engineering thermoplastics May 2023: Ample supply, weak demand depress / Only PMMA, PBT firmer as feedstock costs firm / Downward trend to continue in June

China standard thermoplastics May 2023: Prices fall across the board / No stimulus expected for June / Sideways trend in demand; recession concerns

North America May 2023: Low prices in all segments except PS / Surplus with most types / Recovery in construction and automotive without an effect on prices / Weak start to the summer season

China engineering thermoplastics April 2023: Prices of most thermoplastics lower due to ample supply and low demand / Only PMMA and PBT prices up / May prices seen as mixed

North America April 2023: Widespread reductions despite a few plant outages / Feedstock prices softer / Revival in demand still on hold / May prices expected to be lower across the board

China standard thermoplastics April 2023: Prices broadly lower / Adequate supply meets tepid interest / Demand outlook for May mixed