Chemicals & Polymers

Polypropylene (PP) markets in both Europe and India remain subdued. Despite crude oil strength, oversupply and poor downstream demand are capping prices. European spot and contract rates are stagnant, while Indian PP prices vary by grade. Market players are adopting a wait-and-watch approach ahead of July’s propylene settlement.

Polyethylene prices rose moderately across Asia, led by LDPE amid tight supply and crude-driven cost pressure. However, weak demand from agricultural and pipe sectors capped the upside. Ongoing plant shutdowns globally, including in China, Egypt, and Israel, are reinforcing short-term supply tightness, keeping price sentiment steady despite soft downstream activity.

Toluene prices rose by ₹3/kg across India, fueled by tight import supply and uncertainty around July shipments. Importers are withholding fresh offers, leading to panic buying in the spot market. Despite a price rally, downstream demand outside pharmaceuticals remains weak. Margins for refiners are under pressure as BTX spreads shrink.

Importers have lowered Acetonitrile prices by ₹5/kg this week, bringing bulk offers down to ₹100/kg Ex-Mumbai on 60 days payment terms. Traders' spot offers currently stand at ₹101/kg Ex-Kandla, also on 60 days credit terms.

Ethyl Acetate prices have surged by ₹3–4/kg across major producers due to tight raw material availability, geopolitical tensions, and rising freight costs. Output reductions and cautious supplier behavior have fueled bullish sentiment. With downstream demand firming up, prices are expected to remain volatile through June and may breach ₹75/kg.

India’s PVC market is expanding, driven by infrastructure and agriculture growth. With imports filling the supply gap, low-cost Chinese PVC—often non-compliant with BIS norms—is raising serious safety and quality concerns. Despite robust demand, weak QCO enforcement continues to challenge domestic manufacturers striving for regulatory compliance and long-term market sustainability.

Importers have raised Toluene prices by ₹1/kg, with bulk deals now quoted at ₹68.50++ Ex-Mumbai and ₹68.00++ Ex-Kandla on 60 days credit terms. Traders' spot offers are even firmer, ranging between ₹70-71++ Ex-Mumbai and Ex-Kandla on similar terms. Toluene prices have surged nearly ₹4.5/kg on a week-on-week basis, primarily driven by the sharp rally in crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel.

Week-on-week, methanol prices have risen by ₹6/kg—triggered primarily by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. On June 14, 2025, Iran’s South Pars gas field in Kangan (Bushehr province) was reportedly struck by an Israeli drone. The attack has severely disrupted Iranian methanol shipments and raised alarms across global petrochemical markets.

The Indian polymer market remains subdued amid monsoon-driven demand slowdown and global freight issues. While domestic suppliers offer incentives to stimulate sales, geopolitical tensions—especially the Strait of Hormuz crisis—are driving crude prices higher, impacting raw material costs. BIS compliance deadlines are also reshaping sourcing behavior toward certified domestic suppliers.