Plastic
Plastic
Price movements (monthly)
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HDPE spot cfr CN
Month-on-month Change
Year-on-year Change
LDPE spot cfr CN
Month-on-month Change
Year-on-year Change
PET spot cfr CN
Month-on-month Change
Year-on-year Change
PP spot cfr CN
Month-on-month Change
Year-on-year Change
PVC spot cfr CN
Month-on-month Change
Year-on-year Change
PS spot cfr CN
Month-on-month Change
Year-on-year Change
China Plastics
PET prices rose throughout December 2025, supported by higher raw material prices that increased production costs.
In the wider plastics market in China, sources reported elevated inventories and notably weak demand, weighing on product prices.
According to market sources, inventories remain elevated across China and players do not expect this situation to change in the coming months, thus resulting in a well-supplied market.
Market participants note that manufacturers are not reportedly lowering output despite lower order levels. As a result, sources expect this dynamic to apply downward price pressure across certain product segments.
Activity has increased in the PET market ahead of seasonally higher demand in the spring and players expect this market to remain firm over the coming months.
Feedstock prices are stabilizing or rising, increasing production costs for manufacturers and, potentially, product prices, according to sources.
Market sentiment
US Plastics
Market sources continued to report weak demand from the packaging sector, extending a trend evident throughout 2025.
HDPE and LDPE prices rose throughout the month after a period of falling prices. The rise in HDPE and LDPE prices was due to higher feedstock prices that increased production costs.
Market participants continue to report a weak market, with activity at low levels, and few expect any catalyst for a change in fundamental sentiment.
Production cutbacks continue to be undertaken on the supply side, and sources expect this to continue in the coming months as manufacturers seek balance in a market defined by poor demand.
According to players, firmer feedstock prices could limit the downward move in product prices brought about by fundamental demand weakness.
Market sentiment
EU Plastics
In line with the continued poor demand across most products, sources note the continuing effort by manufacturers to reduce output through cutbacks and maintenance.
Converters are reportedly are also operating a lower levels, further reducing demand for resins and resulting in prolonged market inactivity, according to market participants.
Market players noted an uptick in certain raw material prices, notably paraxylene, and anticipate this trend to impact product prices in the coming months.
Market sentiment
Plastic
Supply trends
China
In November (latest available data), the China Output of Plastics Products Index rose by 2.1% M-o-M, representing a 3.4% Y-o-Y decrease.
Output increased following the slump in the previous month. Sources believe that moderate output increases are occurring due to increased optimism over government stimulus packages in 2026.
Output trended upward following the marked decline in October.
US
In November (latest available data), the Manufacture of Plastics Products Index in the US fell by 0.5% M-o-M, representing a 0.5% Y-o-Y decrease, slowing from a 2.3% Y-o-Y decline the previous month.
According to sources, manufacturers continued to undertake cutbacks to address the situation of oversupply in the market.
Manufacturers continued to engage in cutbacks to address oversupply.
EU
The EU Manufacture of Plastics Products Index fell by 0.1% M-o-M in October (latest available data), representing a 0.4% year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase, continuing to recover following the seasonal low in August.
Market activity was reportedly sluggish from November to December 2025, owing to the Christmas holidays.
Despite the manufacturing recovery, sources noted weakened market activity.
Plastic
Price forecast
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