Price Reports July 2025

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 July 2025: Precursors once again set the pace / Rollovers prevail for the majority of grades / Only styrene plastics are trending lower again / Imports offset European plant cutbacks

PE: The rollover in ethylene feedstock prices set the tone for polyethylene grade pricing. Due to the summer holidays, some negotiations were concluded early in the month, with prices for the majority of reported grades remaining unchanged. Despite the continuing oversupply on the market, attempts by converters to push through price adjustments were rejected. Order activity remained at a low level, and some companies decided to send their workforce on an early summer break. The holiday season is expected to have a continued impact. Overall, incoming orders are being described as slow. However, a major slump in ordering activity has failed to materialise, not least because some converters are taking the opportunity to build up stocks with lower-priced material. Material bottlenecks are unlikely, even if producers continue to scale back their operations. The ongoing influx of imports is helping to offset this. In view of their dwindling margins, producers are likely to try to retain the reduction of EUR 10/t on the contract price for ethylene in August. Converters, on the other hand, are insisting on an adjustment in view of their own situation.

PP: There were no significant price movements on the Western European polypropylene market in July 2025. Following the recent rollover for the precursor propylene, PP prices generally remained at the previous month’s level. Only in a few instances were processors able to negotiate slight downward adjustments. This was particularly true for talc-filled PP compounds. The already sluggish demand was further dampened by the start of the summer holidays, during which many processors stopped production and carried out maintenance work. As a result, unplanned plant outages at PP producers did not have a major impact, especially as another production unit returned from a force majeure and imports increased supply levels. The rather calm situation is unlikely to change much in August. This is because, on the one hand, the summer holiday season is in full swing, and on the other, only slight discounts are to be expected after the slight fall in C3 in August (down by EUR 10/t).

PVC: In July, PVC prices moved sideways across the board, mainly due to the fact that ethylene rolled over again. Producers stuck to their significant cutbacks in output and, in addition, a plant was shut down for maintenance. Nevertheless, contracts could be fulfilled without exception. Little movement with very little fresh stimulus is forecast for August. No major changes to the market are to be expected. The ethylene contract is trending somewhat lighter (down EUR 10/t), which means that, if at all, minor price reductions may come up for discussion. On the procurement side, the situation remains stable – despite constantly reduced plant capacities, all contracts will likely be fulfilled as planned. For converters, when they take a look at their order books, the situation is likely to be much more tense. The miserable incoming order activity is a serious cause for concern. Only a few are remaining optimistic and are currently considering, in view of the low prices, topping up their stocks or buying cheap material from Asia. Meanwhile, producers’ quarterly figures are showing a clear picture – the figures are deep in the red. From their point of view, something has to change regarding the PVC price structure. Correspondingly, it can be expected that after the holidays, suppliers will undertake fresh attempts to raise margins in order to have at least something to negotiate with during the annual talks.

Styrenics: Prices for Western European styrenics declined for the fourth month in a row in July 2025. EPS insulation materials reached their lowest level since January, while polystyrene was cheaper than it has been for two years and ABS injection moulding cheaper than last in February 2021. But no one, among neither suppliers nor processors, was really happy about it. On the one side, volumes were below expectations; on the other, margins weren’t good, either. “At the moment, nobody is earning any money,” complained one participant in the PIE price survey. All of this leads to almost no room for manoeuvring and styrenics prices have as a result essentially followed the changes in costs; an example of this is ABS. Meanwhile, some polystyrene suppliers insisted on retaining part of the cost reduction of styrene (down EUR 72/t) in order to bolster their emaciated margins. Some EPS contracts, by contrast, were concluded with discounts exceeding the SM cost change because some suppliers attempted to place additional volumes on the market in the second half of the month. The market is likely to be similarly weak in August, when the peak holiday season puts an additional damper on the already sluggish demand. As the SM reference also declined by EUR 35/t, prices for styrenics will certainly erode a bit further in August.

PET: The European PET market in July was divided into two. In Southern Europe, the heatwave boosted demand for drinks – and consequently for PET – quite notably. But demand in Northern Europe remained very weak. Overall, inventories in the value chain are well stocked, and PET producers responded with further cutbacks in production. Import offers were, in price terms, not far away from European quotations. In this environment, regular purchases all in all witnessed some minor hikes. No positive impulses are evident anywhere in August, neither on the supply nor on the demand side. On the contrary, most players anticipate a further decline in purchasing activity because inventories are adequately filled to cope with all eventualities. The marginal increases seen in July could quickly be reversed.

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 July 2025: Abundant supply meets meagre demand across all grades / Europe dozes during summer holidays / Prices to decline further in August

July produced nothing new as far as engineering thermoplastics were concerned. The market remained abundantly supplied, while ordering activity remained weak. This combination led to further price erosion. Price negotiations were largely shaped by sluggish demand and falling costs for base polymers. Producers looking to generate any sales during the holiday period were often forced to grant converters substantial concessions. Quarterly contract prices saw even more pronounced downward adjustments.

For some applications, existing material commitments helped prevent sharper price declines for compounders. Nevertheless, the mix of weak demand and aggressively priced imports from Asia exerted considerable pressure on prices, resulting in a further fall. Production plants were operating at sharply reduced rates. However, producers had sufficient material to fulfil the contracts on time and in full. With the holiday season in full swing, the market lacked any stimulus, and order activity remained low.

In negotiations for August, converters are expected to again push for further price cuts in line with movements in quarterly contract prices. On the demand side, no positive impulses are expected, which will likely worsen the strained market situation. The market is expected to remain slightly oversupplied, and supply shortages appear unlikely. But where are fresh orders supposed to come from? Peak summer holidays continue across Europe, with multi-week plant shutdowns still common – particularly in southern regions.

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 July 2025: Noticeable discounts at beginning of Q3 / Large amounts of material meet little demand / Prices expected to bottom out in August

Although the benzene contract for July rose slightly to a plus of EUR 26/t, producers of polyurethane started the third quarter with noticeable discounts. The oversupply on the market continued. Aggressively priced imports from Asia exerted additional pressure. At the peak, discounts were even able to reach figures in the triple digits.

One system was shut down for maintenance work. However, this did not affect the supply situation on the market. The warehouses of PU producers were full to the brim, meaning that they were running their plants at a very low level. Even when one supplier declared force majeure, there was no shortage of material on the market. This is because ordering remained characterised by low activity. As summer holidays have begun in Europe, there was no significant momentum from either the automotive or comfort sectors. At least the construction industry kept its purchases stable, at a low level.

After significant price reductions in the past three months, producers are expected to try hard to keep their prices stable. A trough seems to be forming. In view of the FM and a slowdown in import volumes, prices are likely to be more stable than in previous months. Planned production cutbacks and declining imports are unlikely to cause noticeable changes in supply for the time being. There are no signs of new impulses. On the contrary, many processors could continue to reduce their orders due to the holiday 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!

  Composites/GRP July 2025: Small reductions predominated / Prices appear to have bottomed out / EU anti-dumping investigations prompting uncertainty

Prices for medium-reactive ortho resins and all reported glass fibre products continued to erode in July. In both cases, this was due to the even weaker demand during the holiday season, with resins additionally being hit by the EUR 72/t reduction for the main precursor, styrene. Contract prices for maleic anhydride (slightly down) and phthalic anhydride (slightly up) balanced each other out.

The price of styrene fell again in August, this time by EUR 35/t. It remains to be seen whether the resins will follow suit. Producers’ margins are already dangerously low. At most, only slight corrections are to be expected. Moreover, little stimulus is anticipated on the demand side in August. Since customers have abundant stocks at their disposal, there is little incentive for them to replenish their inventories. The industry is thus focusing on September and hoping for a surge in orders once the holiday season comes to an end.

Glass fibre products also saw small price reductions overall. As before, this was driven by low-cost imports and weak demand. Significant uncertainty among processors and importers is being caused by two ongoing EU anti-dumping investigations. It is generally expected that the compensatory measures on Chinese goods that have been in force since 2014 will be kept at more or less the same level as before – although Glass Fibre Europe is calling for them to be increased. Potential measures against imports from Bahrain, Egypt, and Thailand – all three of which are currently not subject to tariffs on glass fibre or are only subject to these in part – are expected to be on at least the same level as those for China. The potential retroactive payments due on volumes imported since May 2025, which are now being registered, are a cause of concern. The pressure on glass fibre prices is, however, set to continue.

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 July 2025: Weak demand leads to widespread production cutbacks / Off-spec material puts additional pressure on prices

Rollover, rollover, rollover – there was little to no change across all grades of standard recyclates. Only two products – rHDPE pipe and rPET clear – were able to achieve higher prices because their user industries benefitted from seasonal demand. In summer, people are building more, and they are drinking more.

Otherwise, cheap off-spec virgin material often put pressure on recyclate prices, even on rPP homopolymer, rPP copolymer and rPS. The rLDPE market remained stagnant. Demand was poor. There were no signs of improvement.

Holidays throughout Europe will hardly allow any upward changes in the price structure. On the contrary, recyclers will be struggling to assure price stability. Some processors claim to have identified a slight oversupply on the market. This reportedly applies to the stocks held by individual recyclers. The throttling of plants will keep the market balanced. As the summer holidays also come with a number of plant closures, demand is likely to remain weak.

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 July 2025: Holiday season, overproduction, aggressively priced imports, virgin material, weak demand create toxic combination

Prices fell significantly in July, mainly because of the sluggish demand. Less specified grades in particular even experienced triple-digit falls. The inventories of many recyclers increased despite the fact that a number of facilities were operating with reduced output. Imports from China appeared on the scene in large quantities and at very aggressive prices, and converters were increasingly affected by the weakness of the automotive sector. In addition, the start of the holiday season put further pressure on demand.

Because market circumstances are unlikely to change in the near future, further price reductions can be expected. The market is trending increasingly towards an oversupply situation. Demand is expected to decline further due to the holiday period. Some converters are thinking of reducing production shifts, and in some cases are also considering shutting down for holidays.

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!