Price Reports February 2026

The following information is provided by Plastics Information Europe.  For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read entire versions of the following reports, go to www.pieweb.com and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!

  Standard thermoplastics February: Polyolefin producers face resistance to hikes / PVC stalled by winter slowdown / Styrenics rise with the feedstock / PET prices inch higher on supply hiccups

PE: At the beginning of the month, producers entered price negotiations with confidence. For standard material, price increases in the range of EUR 50/t to EUR 80/t were on the table, and for specialities, the figures were as high as EUR 100/t. In fact, however, only moderate rises were implemented, in most cases oriented to the increase in the cost of the monomer (C2: up EUR 15/t). Although a number of plants were running at reduced rates, there were no supply bottlenecks for any products, and all contracts were fulfilled across the board. In many cases, the order situation was described as significantly better compared with the same month last year. Nevertheless, as stocks of many converters are already well filled, they bought only what was strictly necessary. The European ethylene contract price for March rose by EUR 50/t compared with the previous month, reaching EUR 1,145/t. This is likely to drive up polyethylene prices as well. However, the generally solid supply situation is not expected to change. Demand is also expected to remain at its current level. Processors will likely continue to act cautiously, maintain slightly higher inventories, and purchase material in line with their order books – not least because further price increases are looming for April as a result of the war in Iran.

PP: Producers’ attempts to raise prices significantly above the increased cost of propylene (up EUR 15/t) were unsuccessful. In most cases, the mark-ups were between EUR 10/t and EUR 20/t. Compounders, too, were able to pass on the increased costs of the feedstock. However, demand remained too weak to achieve any improvement in margins. The market for PP homopolymer did not return to a balanced state, even though some lines ran at a reduced speed – some planned, some unplanned. None of the PIE panellists reported significant supply bottlenecks. In terms of demand, certain segments and specific grades showed positive signals – but the key customer, the automotive industry, remained largely inactive. As a result, demand improved for certain processors, albeit from a continued low level. The propylene contract rose again in March, by EUR 35/t. Due to the recent geopolitical escalation in the Middle East, oil and naphtha prices rose significantly. This is likely to set the direction for the contract price in April as well. Producers therefore have enough arguments to adjust their prices noticeably upwards. Imports are also expected to pick up slightly.

PVC: The ethylene contract went up by EUR 15/t in February, driven by the increase in the price of naphtha. The hoped-for seasonal pickup in demand failed to materialise, however. The cold winter pushed down demand to below the planned level. Producers could thus only price in the increased costs in exceptional cases; rollovers were the most frequent result. Converters suffered similarly due to the ice and snow. Although some curtailed their production, they still ended up producing for stock. Ethylene is set to become more expensive again in March and will most likely go up even more than in February. Producers could thus step up the pressure to have the pro-rata costs priced in. Supply is expected to exceed demand, with or without imports from Asia. Many players are confident of a seasonal pickup in demand once milder weather arrives.

Styrenics: Once again, the styrenics markets did not dare to experiment: prices for all materials followed the cost development of the primary products very closely. Polystyrene and EPS largely followed the styrene reference, even if the EUR 120/t increase was not always fully priced in, given the weak demand and ample supply. Cost transfers were also the rule for ABS – in addition to styrene, butadiene (up EUR 30/t) and ACN (up EUR 17/t) were part of the cost mix, of course. Neither suppliers nor processors had much leeway for deviating from this. This situation is unlikely to change in March. The recent increase in the styrene contract (up EUR 73/t) will continue to be the central point of reference for price changes. Again, for ABS, the respective cost increases in March for butadiene (up EUR 55/t) and ACN (up EUR 37/t) are also expected to weigh on pricing. The cost hikes are likely to prompt processors to also increase selling prices. Market observers expect that any growth in demand, fuelled by a possible spring revival, might support this endeavour.

PET: The European PET market in February was still marked by the trend seen in the previous month, with imports again subject to delivery delays. Despite the continuing slump in end-market demand, many buyers were prompted to continue building up stocks due to the uncertainties surrounding the escalating conflict between the US and Iran, plus the highly restrained signals coming from the Chinese market. In many cases, only European goods, in limited quantities, were available for these purchases, which meant that prices for large volumes went up somewhat more than those for small volumes. The February paraxylene contract in Western Europe was settled at EUR 790/t. Once again, pricing was guided almost exclusively by the stronger Asian reference market, resulting in a EUR 10/t increase in the contract price. European production and imports are keeping market supply at a normal level. Slightly more material is required from the polyester chain, and demand from the petrol-blending segment has also increased. However, normal levels have not yet been reached.

For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read the entire report, go to www.ki.de and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!

  Engineering thermoplastics February: Several months of falling prices come to an end / Middle East conflict causes rise in quotations / Reliability of supply takes priority

Despite continued meagre demand, producers were able to push through slightly higher prices, although not across the board and not for all types. Quarterly contracts had a supporting effect. The multi-month downward trend in prices came to an end. What had been seen as a mere breather before the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East now has the makings of a structural trend reversal.

Producers continued to curb output. Production rates, which have been reduced since at least the summer, appear to have become the new normal – without jeopardising supply. Demand has stabilised at a low level. This was accompanied by cautious restocking by processors. The agricultural and E&E sectors showed the first signs of life.

In view of the conflict in the Middle East, the PIE panel expects prices to rise significantly in March. Contract agreements will still likely mitigate any overly radical swings. But from April at the latest, producers and processors will have to come to an understanding regarding sharply rising quotations. Processors will therefore likely try to buy and store more material in the short term. Reliability of supply is moving up the list of priorities.

For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read the entire report, go to www.ki.de and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!

 Polyurethane feedstocks February: Downward trend for TDI remains intact / Rollover predominates otherwise / Little restocking at start of year / End of Chinese export subsidies could cause disruption for polyols

Although the European benzene contract was firmer by EUR 130/t for February, the reported PU components did not move beyond a rollover in most cases. However, the spread for the majority of precursors widened noticeably. Isolated discounts as well as surcharges were observed, though these have yet to establish a clear overall trend. Only TDI remained under significant pressure – a situation likely to continue in March.

Ordering activity was also weak in the short production month of February. The build-up in inventory levels expected in some quarters failed to materialise. However, it was unclear in the PIE panel discussions whether the reason for the subdued demand was due solely to the lack of demand or also the widespread hope that prices would continue to fall.

The market is generally expected to stabilise in the coming weeks. However, producers’ demands in this regard are likely to be realised only in isolated cases. One exception is polyols, where the discontinuation of export subsidies from Beijing could generate upward momentum.

The PIE panel expects a slight improvement in demand. However, this reflects the higher number of working days in March rather than a genuine month-on-month increase.

For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read the entire report, go to www.ki.de and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!

  Composites/GRP February: Prices for ortho resins go up / Discounts being offered for glass fibre products / Escalation in Middle East aggravates supply fears

The increase in the cost of styrene was reflected in the price of ortho resins in February, while glass fibre products were impacted by low demand. Price movements for the two products – increases for ortho resins and reductions for glass fibre products – were, however, limited by quarterly agreements.

After the sharp rise in the styrene reference in February (up EUR 120/t), prices for ortho resins also trended firmer. Monthly contracts rose by as much as EUR 120/t at their peak. The situation for monthly contracts for glass fibre products was very different – price reductions dominated the picture here, some of which were in triple digits, depending on the grade. 

While demand for both product groups was initially very sluggish, considerably more movement was seen in material orders in the second half of the month. Growing concerns about developments in the Middle East prompted converters to order larger quantities to secure their stocks. And this was certainly not a mistake, since, together with the further rise in styrene costs (affecting ortho resins) and the EU’s anti-dumping duties (on glass fibre products), the escalation of the Middle East conflict is set to trigger price rises in March.

For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read the entire report, go to www.ki.de and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!

 Standard recyclate February: Sluggish oscillation around rollover / Volumes take precedence over margins / Imports enrich supply while demand remains weak

Prices for standard recyclate developed unevenly across grades, oscillating around the rollover mark. There were no remarkable outliers. Premiums maxed out at EUR 20/t.

Most recyclers were keen not to stifle the slight upturn in demand with calls for price hikes at the outset. Instead, they preferred to push volumes at the expense of margins. There was always enough material available, as stocks were still high. Market fundamentals have hardly changed. The order situation for many processors continued to languish. Ordering activity increased only slightly, largely because February had more production days.

In March, some recyclers might try to increase their prices, especially as virgin material prices are expected to trend further up. There are also signs of a slight improvement in order activity in March. Be that as it may, ordering remains markedly below normal levels. The beverage industry in particular remained in winter hibernation in February, with no signs of the usual start to seasonal preparations. With the start of spring and milder temperatures, demand is likely to gradually recover as initial stock-building begins in preparation for the peak season.

For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read the entire report, go to www.ki.de and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!

 Engineering recyclate February: Prices stay where they were / General mood brightens / Hopes of increase in demand in March alive

A sense of relief can be felt as the mood among recyclers brightens for the first time in months. This has brought renewed confidence to the overall market. The cautious optimism stems primarily from the fact that in February prices did not once again fall short of the already low expectations. Most price assessments show a rollover.

In addition, prices on the virgin polymer markets are starting to rise. As a result, competition between virgin and recycled material is losing at least some of its intensity. The downward spiral that had seemed potentially damaging for all involved now appears to have stopped – at least for the time being.

The long production month of March requires slightly higher material volumes. This should keep prices stable. However, whether the modest increase in incoming orders already signals the hoped-for spring revival is uncertain. PIE’s advisory panel seems to be divided on its assessment here, with some still hesitant to embrace this more positive outlook.

For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read the entire report, go to www.ki.de and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!