Ethylene Price Trend Analysis 2026: Historical Prices, Latest News, Supply Demand Analysis, Price Drivers & Market Insights

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Written ByPragati Agarwal

Procurement Resource Database

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  • Global ethylene pricing in Q2’26 was volatile, driven by early Middle East supply shocks, later easing feedstock pressure, and weakening downstream demand across regions.
  • Feedstock trends reflected naphtha and LPG disruption via the Strait of Hormuz, followed by easing crude benchmarks that reduced production cost pressure.
  • Downstream demand from polyethylene, packaging, and construction-linked sectors weakened after the initial spike, with buyers focusing on inventory reduction.

Asia

In China, the monthly average ethylene price was ~RMB 9.78/kg in April and about RMB 8.48/kg in the subsequent month, showing a decrease of ~13.2%. Similarly, in Japan, the monthly average ethylene price was around JPY 238.91/kg in April and approx. JPY 207.54/kg in the subsequent month, showing a decrease of ~13.1%. In South Korea, the monthly average ethylene price was ~KRW 2,291.69/kg in April and around KRW 1,986.70/kg in the subsequent month, showing a decrease of ~13.3%. Prices dropped once initial increases related to supply shocks subsided as disruptions in the Middle East have reduced along with this demand for polyethylene products has also weakened.

In India, the monthly average ethylene price was approx. RMB 142.02/kg in April and ~RMB 125.52/kg in the subsequent month, showing a decrease of ~11.6%. Prices softened in line with broader Asian correction as import availability improved and downstream demand from polymer processing sectors slowed after earlier supply-driven volatility.

Europe

In Europe, ethylene prices corrected after an earlier sharp spike driven by Middle East supply disruption and elevated energy-linked feedstock costs. Despite tight cost conditions from global supply risk, downstream demand from packaging and construction-linked polymer sectors remained weak, while industrial production growth stayed limited, leading to resistance from buyers and subsequent price easing as supply concerns moderated.

North America

In North America, the monthly average ethylene price was approx. USD 1,527.44/MT in April and ~USD 1,369.19/MT in the subsequent month, showing a decrease of around 10.4%. Prices corrected as export demand weakened after earlier PE shipment surges, while inventories rose and derivative demand from polyethylene markets slowed. Reopened European supply channels further reduced export support, adding downward pressure.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, ethylene prices are expected to remain volatile but gradually softer, as easing feedstock constraints and weakening downstream polyethylene demand outweigh temporary supply-side disruptions.

About Ethylene

Ethylene appears as a colourless gas with a sweet odour and taste. It is lighter than air. It is the simplest alkene and flammable in nature. It is extensively used in the industrial sector to produce polyethylene, a widely used plastic having polymer chains of ethylene units. It can also be hydrated to produce ethanol.

Ethylene Product Detail

Chemical Formula

C2H4 

CAS Number
74-85-1
Molecular Weight
28.05 g/mol
Industrial Uses

Polymerisation, Oxidation, Intermediates, Halogenation and hydrohalogenation, Manufacturing, Plasticisers, Hydration and oligomerisation, Processing aid, specific to petroleum production

Synonyms

Ethene, Green ethylene

Supplier Database

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Dow Chemical Company, LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V., INEOS Capital Limited, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC

Regional Coverage

Asia Pacific

China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand

Europe

Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece

North America

United States and Canada

Latin America

Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru

Africa

South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco

CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)

Supplier Database AvailabilityYes

Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer

Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery

Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.

Ethylene Production Process

  • Production of Ethylene via Steam Cracking Process

In this process, ethane is used as a feedstock and is heated at a temperature ranging from 750 to 950 °C with steam.  This results in the conversion of large and complex hydrocarbons into smaller ones and further causes unsaturation, which finally produces Ethylene.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ethylene prices in India showed a firm trend during Q1 2026, increasing by around 7.24% from January to March. The rise was supported by stronger downstream demand, higher naphtha-linked production costs, which were directly influenced by the freight disturbances caused by the Iran war, and improved buying from polyethylene, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, and other derivative markets toward the end of the quarter.
Ethylene prices in India remained largely stable on a quarter-on-quarter basis. Q4 2025 prices averaged USD 782.91/MT, while Q1 2026 prices averaged USD 783.33/MT, showing a marginal 0.05% increase. This indicates that the overall quarterly market stayed steady, even though prices strengthened from January to March, since the key ethylene markets like China were already struggling with excess supplies.
Ethylene demand in 2026 is expected to remain linked to polyethylene, PVC, ethylene oxide, styrene, and glycol markets. However, global overcapacity and weak cracker margins may pressure operating rates, especially in Asia and Europe. Ethane-based producers in the United States and the Middle East are expected to retain a cost advantage over naphtha-based producers.
Geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz were a key driver of ethylene prices in Q1 2026. Crude oil prices surged amid disruption risks to nearly 20% of global oil and LNG flows through the route. This lifted naphtha costs, freight rates, and insurance premiums, raising production and landed costs for ethylene.
The United States, China, Saudi Arabia, India, South Korea, Japan, and several European countries are major participants in the ethylene market. The United States and the Middle East benefit from low-cost ethane feedstocks, while China is both a major producer and the world’s largest downstream consumer due to its extensive plastics and petrochemical industries.
BASF started up the steam cracker at its Zhanjiang Verbund site in China in January 2026. The cracker has 1 million metric tons per year of ethylene capacity and supplies basic chemicals including ethylene and propylene to multiple downstream plants at the site. This expansion strengthened China’s integrated petrochemical production base.
Ethylene is produced through steam cracking of feedstocks such as naphtha, ethane, propane, and butane. Naphtha-based producers are highly exposed to crude oil price movements, while ethane-based producers depend more on natural gas liquids. Rising feedstock costs increase cracker production expenses and typically support higher ethylene pricing when derivative demand remains stable.
Polyethylene remains the largest downstream outlet for ethylene, followed by ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, ethylene dichloride, vinyl acetate monomer, alpha olefins, and styrene-related products. Demand from packaging, construction, textiles, automotive, consumer goods, detergents, and industrial manufacturing sectors largely determines ethylene consumption trends.
Cracker operating rates directly affect ethylene availability. Lower run rates reduce spot supply and can support prices when downstream demand is stable. Higher operating rates improve availability but may pressure margins if derivative demand is weak. Planned maintenance, unplanned outages, feedstock economics, and cracker profitability strongly influence operating decisions.
Procurement Resource employs a structured methodology combining primary research, secondary market intelligence, analytical models, and validation processes to assess ethylene prices and market trends. Evaluations incorporate feedstock costs, cracker operating rates, derivative demand, capacity additions, trade flows, and value chain analysis, supported by continuous market monitoring and cross-verification.

Our Price Analysis Methodology

About the Author

Pragati Agarwal profile photo

Pragati Agarwal

Senior Business Insights Analyst

Delivering price trend analysis and procurement market insights at Procurement Resource, with expertise in identifying commodity patterns, supporting purchasing strategies, and improving cost efficiency through actionable market intelligence.

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