Daily Market Report

PET prices dropped last week due to weak raw material costs and sluggish demand, despite a slight price hike by Wankai. Leading Chinese producers have begun output cuts, but high inventories persist. Exports rose in May, though global competitiveness is under pressure from higher freight rates and US anti-dumping tariffs.

PVC prices saw a marginal rise in early July, supported by export demand and energy market trends. However, subdued domestic consumption, rising inventory, and limited downstream activity are capping major gains. While supply remains high due to increased plant operations, the market is expected to stay stable with slight upward potential.

Polyethylene prices remained stable in East China during early July, supported by improving ethylene margins and slight production disruptions in LDPE. Indian producers raised domestic prices modestly, while global supply adjustments continue. However, downstream demand remains subdued, and the market awaits clearer cues from packaging, agriculture, and macroeconomic trends in H2 July.

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.

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.

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.

PET bottle chip prices remained under pressure amid weak feedstock costs and muted downstream demand. While domestic production dipped due to maintenance, supply remains ample. Export momentum slowed, and high end-product inventories curbed fresh bulk buying. Crude oil weakness and global trade uncertainties are expected to keep prices subdued.

The Chinese polypropylene market continued consolidating in May 2025, with wire-drawing grade PP prices dipping 1.18% to $1,030/ton. Stable production, high inventories, and off-season demand weighed on prices. Despite slight export improvements and tariff optimism, buyers remain cautious amid macroeconomic uncertainty and incoming capacity expansions expected to pressure the market further.

Indian ABS prices varied across brands and cities, reflecting regional differences. China’s ABS market saw initial declines followed by recovery, driven by supply adjustments and improved trade relations with the U.S. Overall, the ABS market is expected to remain stable or slightly weaker in the near term amid balanced demand and supply conditions.

PVC K67 prices in Mundra range from ₹64,500 to ₹68,750/MT, with Chinese SG5 grades leading on price. Despite strong 10% YoY demand growth, oversupply and Chinese dumping have pressured international prices, now 25% lower than FY 2022–23. India’s PVC market is poised for structural change, with BIS certification and anti-dumping duties kicking in by mid-2025.

In the first week of June 2025, polyethylene (PE) product prices remained largely stable across LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE categories. Downstream demand from agricultural and packaging films remained supportive, but segments like raffia and injection moulding showed weaker activity. HDPE supply constraints continue due to maintenance shutdowns. Market sentiment suggests limited price upside without stronger demand or feedstock cost increases.