Polymer prices have not been showing any significant improvement owing to weak demand dynamics

Despite ongoing supply disruptions, including reduced production and plant outages like Borealis' force majeure for LDPE and EVA in Belgium, polymer prices have fallen due to low demand. Converters, holding enough inventory, have not increased their purchases significantly. This restraint in buying, even amid notable supply issues and maintenance activities across European facilities, continues to suppress price increases. Demand remains subdued, with only a few converters purchasing additional material in anticipation of potential price hikes before the August holiday period.

In recent months, thermoplastic prices have been closely influenced by the cost of feedstocks, like ethylene, propylene, and styrene. Polyethylene prices remained stable in early July, consistent with the ethylene contracts from June. However, contradicting the stable prices for ethylene and propylene, benzene prices witnessed a steep decline, causing a steep reduction in styrene monomer contracts. This impacted polystyrene prices, which fell for the third consecutive month.

The PET market experienced growth, with prices strengthening due to increased demand and reduced imports from China, driven by the enforcement of anti-dumping duties since April. PVC prices, which had dropped in June alongside ethylene costs, increased in early July as producers adjusted to anti-dumping duties on imports from the US and Egypt.