Resin To Riches: Weekly Plastic Market Insights

Polymer Global Analysis

Resin To Riches: Weekly Plastic Market Insights

• General Thoughts: Chinese PVC, PE, and PP spot prices have strengthened from midyear lows, while Dalian futures suggest steadier PVC support as PE and PP face heavier supply growth through 3Q27.
• Polyethylene (PE): US PE exports are carrying production, Europe is paying up for prompt LDPE, and China’s capacity build puts HDPE export pricing and US producer export netbacks at the center of global competition.
• Polypropylene (PP): US PP spot economics improve as resin outpaces PGP, Europe gains support from delayed imports, while firmer Chinese pricing limits homo PP export pressure for the moment.
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Global PVC sellers lack leverage despite European and Asian cost pressure, while US pricing gains support from outages, exports, and favorable substitution in selected building applications.
• Other Sector Developments: Feedstock control is separating chemical assets as Europe absorbs gas and naphtha pressure, Asia pays more for imported feedstocks, and North American integration supports operating continuity.

Exhibit 1 – Chart of the Day: Dalian futures separate a softer PVC reset from more persistent polyolefin pressure.

Source: C-MACC Analysis, Dalian Commodity Exchange; Bloomberg. Note: China spot prices and Dalian futures are shown ex-VAT. Dalian futures are converted from CNY/mt to US$/mt after removing China’s 13% VAT.