Resin To Riches: Weekly Plastic Market Insights

General Thoughts: Oversupply persists across most polymer markets despite some evidence of price strength during the past 30 days. We anticipate a weak 2H25 for most global polymer markets before improvement emerges in 2026.
Polyethylene (PE): Global PE spot prices show some support from earlier cost spikes, but fading momentum, weak demand, and regional margin pressure suggest range-bound conditions are more likely than otherwise in 2H25.
Polypropylene (PP): Global PP spot prices face renewed pressure as soft demand, falling feedstock costs, and ample supply override pricing efforts, pointing to likely margin stress and cautious producer strategies in 2H25.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC):  Despite global PVC oversupply, plant closures, rising Chinese prices, and regulatory shifts suggest limited near-term downside, with structural changes shifting markets for a more balanced 2026 recovery.
Other Sector Developments: Crude oil prices support in the US$70/bbl range suggests polymer prices will unlikely return to 2Q25 lows in 3Q25, and absent unplanned events, 1Q25 price points look out of reach for most in 2H25.

Exhibit 1 – Chart of the Day: Global spot PE shows the broadest strength since 30 days ago, but momentum is fading.