Resin To Riches: Weekly Plastic Market Insights

Polymer Global Analysis

Resin To Riches: Weekly Plastic Market Insights

• General Thoughts: Global spot polymer market fundamentals suggest that price erosion is probable across most markets, further deepening the divide between virgin and recycled plastics. A risk to recycled content demand?
• Polyethylene (PE): Global spot ethylene prices continue to slide as a flatter cost curve emerges, which we think will amplify downward pressure on PE prices across most major markets heading into late March/early 2Q25.
• Polypropylene (PP): European spot PP and polymer-grade propylene (PGP) prices increased last week, while spot PP and PGP prices in the US and Asia reflect declines – we foresee Western PP prices falling toward Asia in 2Q25.   
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Global spot PVC markets remain generally weak despite European markets improving last week relative to the US and Asia – we foresee a spring pickup in US PVC demand, helping to support prices.
• Other Sector Developments: Global chemical feedstock market trends, with lower Brent crude oil prices and higher US natural gas prices, broadly favor lower global polymer prices and US profit margins in late 1Q25.

Exhibit 1 – Chart of the Day: PureCycle’s estimated aggregate recycled PP price is notably above spot virgin PP levels.   

Source: Bloomberg, C-MACC Analysis, Corporate Reports, March 2025