U.S. benchmark and international crude benchmarks both fell as investors took profits following prior gains on the announcement of sweeping new U.S. sanctions targeting Iran. The 'Operation Economic Outcast' campaign imposes global sanctions with no exemption for China, creating uncertainty around Iranian oil flows. Prices remain volatile as markets assess whether the sanctions will successfully isolate Iran's energy sector or be circumvented.
Trinseo has restarted the sale of its 50% stake in the Americas Styrenics joint venture with Chevron Phillips Chemical, which produces styrene and polystyrene, following Trinseo's bankruptcy declaration earlier this year. The ownership uncertainty at one of the key styrene and polystyrene production platforms introduces supply risk for those commodity chemicals, likely supporting firmer pricing as market participants assess potential output disruptions.
| Product | Region | Incoterm Basis | Price | Last Updated Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyethylene (PE) | China | EXW | USD 1,291.34/MT | July 2026 |
| Polyethylene (PE) | USA | EXW | USD 1,113.13/MT | July 2026 |
| Polyethylene (PE) | Germany | EXW | USD 1,862.10/MT | July 2026 |
| Polyethylene (PE) | Australia | CIF | USD 1,389.00/MT | July 2026 |
| Polyethylene (PE) | Brazil | CIF | USD 1,463.00/MT | July 2026 |
| Polyethylene (PE) | China | EXW | USD 1,300.00/MT | June 2026 |
| Polyethylene (PE) | USA | EXW | USD 1,120.00/MT | June 2026 |
| Polyethylene (PE) | Germany | EXW | USD 1,880.00/MT | June 2026 |
| Polyethylene (PE) | Australia | CIF | USD 1,363.54/MT | June 2026 |
| Polyethylene (PE) | Brazil | CIF | USD 1,544.21/MT | June 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest Polyethylene (PE) prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
Asia
Polyethylene (PE) was priced at about USD 1,300/MT in China in June 2026. Asian PE markets entered Q2 under strong supply pressure after disruptions to Middle Eastern polymer and feedstock movements restricted cargo availability. China was particularly exposed because around 43% of its PE imports in 2025 came from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran and Qatar. Buyers initially competed for available material, while higher freight and replacement costs reinforced the market increase. Conditions softened during May and June as alternative Asian cargoes became available and Middle Eastern shipments gradually returned. Chinese producers also redirected more material toward Southeast Asia as domestic converter demand weakened. Packaging and film processors resisted elevated resin costs and reduced inventory purchases, which accelerated the late-quarter correction.
Europe
In Germany, Polyethylene (PE) stood at around USD 1,880/MT in June'26. European PE markets strengthened sharply during April because restricted Middle Eastern imports, logistics bottlenecks and limited regional production tightened availability. Buyers built inventories aggressively during the supply shock, but this purchasing pattern reversed in May as converters became well stocked and moved toward hand-to-mouth procurement. Additional LLDPE cargoes from the United States and material from Southeast Asia increased competition, reducing supplier leverage. The unusually high cost of virgin resin also encouraged some converters to evaluate recycled PE where technical specifications allowed, further reducing pressure on conventional grades.
North America
In the USA, Polyethylene (PE) was quoted at roughly USD 1,120/MT in June 2026. North American prices followed the same early-quarter surge before correcting strongly as export demand weakened and inventories increased. LLDPE exports fell 10.2% month on month in April, indicating softer overseas absorption just as domestic availability improved. Competition from Chinese export offers also pressured U.S. suppliers. Packaging and industrial demand remained insufficient to absorb excess stocks, forcing producers and traders to adjust offers downward through May and June.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, PE prices are expected to remain relatively soft to stable as supply chains normalize and inventories remain comfortable, although renewed logistics disruptions could quickly tighten regional availability.
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Asia
Polyethylene (PE) prices in Asia moved upward during Q1’26, supported by tighter ethylene supply and firm downstream demand. Reduced operating rates at steam crackers and ongoing capacity rationalization across Japan and South Korea constrained regional olefin availability, increasing import dependence and competition for cargoes. In India, feedstock ethylene prices increased by ~5% between February and March 2026 due to constrained regional supply, elevated crude oil prices, and higher import dependence. The Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions significantly increased production and freight costs, while anticipated OPEC+ output reductions and limited strategic reserve coverage tightened market sentiment. Demand from packaging films, consumer goods, pipes, and industrial plastic applications remained stable during the quarter.
Europe
The European PE market remained subdued during Q1’26 due to persistent structural oversupply and weak downstream industrial activity. Ethylene cracker utilization rates remained near 75% during 2025, while continued imports of olefins and polymer derivatives pressured domestic producers. Economic uncertainty, inflationary pressure, and weak manufacturing activity limited demand from construction materials, automotive components, and industrial packaging sectors. However, elevated crude oil and freight costs linked to Strait of Hormuz disruptions prevented sharper PE price declines by increasing overall production and logistics expenses across the regional petrochemical sector.
North America
North American polyethylene markets remained largely stable-to-soft during Q1’26 amid oversupply and subdued downstream demand. However, rising ethane and natural gas feedstock costs provided support to regional PE pricing. Strong global demand for feedstocks and new cracker startups in Asia and Mexico compressed producer margins toward breakeven levels, increasing pressure on operating economics. Demand from packaging, consumer goods, and industrial plastic applications remained moderate, while elevated energy and transportation costs linked to geopolitical disruptions continued influencing market sentiment.
Polyethylene (PE), a synthetic thermoplastic resin, is produced from ethylene and is the one of the most common plastic type. Its is primarily utilised in packaging and production of plastic bags, plastic films, geomembranes, containers including bottles, etc. It is a combination of similar polymers of ethylene with various values of n. Its branched versions are called as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) while its linear versions are called high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
(C2H4)n
Plastic Containers, Plastic Bottles, Plastic Films, Bags
9002-88-4, Polyethene, poly(methylene)
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Exxon Mobil Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), PetroChina Company Limited, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
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.
Polyethylene is produced from ethylene through its polymerisation. As ethylene is a stable compound, it polymerises only upon its contact with a catalyst. This conversion is highly exothermic and finally produces Polyethylene.
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