The IEA sharply lowered its 2026 global oil demand outlook, citing the escalating Mideast conflict and elevated energy prices. The agency now projects a significantly steeper year-on-year decline in consumption than previously forecast, warning that market tightening and demand destruction are accelerating.
Trinseo has restarted the sale of its 50% stake in the Americas Styrenics joint venture with Chevron Phillips Chemical, which produces styrene and polystyrene, following Trinseo's bankruptcy declaration earlier this year. The ownership uncertainty at one of the key styrene and polystyrene production platforms introduces supply risk for those commodity chemicals, likely supporting firmer pricing as market participants assess potential output disruptions.
| Product | Region | Incoterm Basis | Price | Last Updated Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) | USA | FOB | USD 1,234.00/MT | July 2026 |
| High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) | Europe | FOB | EUR 1765.00/MT | July 2026 |
| High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) | USA | FOB | USD 1,322.00/MT | June 2026 |
| High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) | Europe | FOB | EUR 2120.00/MT | June 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
Asia
Asian HDPE markets moved through an early-quarter supply squeeze before weakening as alternative supply became available. Chinese HDPE imports from Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan increased as buyers shifted sourcing away from disrupted Middle Eastern routes. This helped improve regional availability later in the quarter. At the same time, converters reduced operating rates and kept resin purchases limited as high inventories and weaker cost pass-through constrained demand. Asian HDPE film prices were also high in early April before easing later that month. By June, lower Gulf butane costs and improved supply conditions reduced some of the earlier cost pressure.
Europe
In June, the average price of Recycled High-Density Polyethylene (R-HDPE) in Germany settled at ~USD 1,479/MT. In Europe, HDPE markets remained affected by disrupted Middle Eastern supply, higher logistics costs, and volatile upstream production economics. Competition from imports and well-stocked inventories limited stronger price movement, while weak end-user purchasing reduced demand for both virgin and recycled grades. The narrowing cost advantage of virgin material also affected recycled resin demand, with buyers remaining focused on procurement economics. European recycled polyethylene markets were influenced by the sharp movement in virgin resin availability during the quarter.
North America
In USA, the average monthly price of Recycled High-Density Polyethylene (R-HDPE) came in at ~USD 1,336/MT in June. HDPE exports declined 3% month on month in April after rising 18.3% in March, indicating that buyers had secured sufficient material earlier and reduced additional purchases. Competition from Chinese offers and higher inventories further pressured the market. Upstream energy flows remained closely linked to global supply disruption, with US crude exports reaching a record 5.6 million barrels/day in May as buyers sought alternatives to Middle Eastern supply.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, HDPE markets are likely to remain sensitive to feedstock availability, inventory levels, import competition, and downstream converter purchasing.
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Asia
The Asian HDPE market recovered steadily during Q1’26 after a weaker start supported by improving packaging demand and rising feedstock costs. In China, the average price during Q1’26 was 8.17 RMB/kg (Spot, injection molding), which was 7.42 RMB/kg in January and increased further to 7.72 RMB/kg and 9.37 RMB/kg in the subsequent months. Last quarter prices were 7.62 RMB/kg, reflecting a quarter-on-quarter rise of ~7.2%, while prices increased by ~26.3% from January to March. Higher ethylene and naphtha costs, tighter operating rates, and improving downstream demand from packaging and consumer goods supported the market. India also witnessed stronger sentiment due to improving retail packaging demand and higher import replacement costs. Reuters reported that the Middle East accounted for more than 40% of global polyethylene exports, and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz sharply increased freight and resin replacement costs across Asia.
Europe
European HDPE prices remained under pressure during the early quarter due to weak manufacturing activity and cautious converter demand. However, elevated energy and feedstock costs limited deeper declines. Producers operated at reduced rates amid poor margins, while shipping disruptions linked to the Iran conflict increased import costs and tightened regional availability. Competitive pressure from lower-cost imports also continued affecting procurement activity across the European market.
North America
North American HDPE prices displayed comparatively firmer momentum during Q1’26 supported by higher ethylene costs and stable packaging demand. Domestic producers benefited from natural gas-based feedstock advantages and maintained export competitiveness. However, oversupply conditions restricted aggressive price hikes. Rising global freight costs and uncertainty surrounding Middle Eastern petrochemical trade flows also increased logistics expenses across the regional polyethylene market.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is known to be a thermoplastic polymer produced from the monomer ethylene. It is often called alkathene or polythene when utilised for HDPE pipes. Since it comes with a high strength-to-density ratio, HDPE is utilised in making plastic bottles, corrosion-resistant piping, geomembranes, and plastic lumber. HDPE is generally recycled and has the number 2 as its resin identification code.
Electrical insulation, Blow moulding, Film packing, Crates and dustbins, Rope, Flexible HDPE pipes and corrugated HDPE pipe, Plastic bottles and containers
HDPE, polyethylene high-density, PEHD
Dow, INEOS Capital Limited, LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V., Reliance Industries Ltd., Mitsui Chemicals Inc., SABIC, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (Phillips 66 Company), Exxon Mobil Corporation
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
Production of High Density Polyethylene via Slurry Process; via Solution Process; and via Gas Phase Process.
In the gas phase process, ethene and hydrogen are combined, and the resulting mixture is passed over a Philips catalyst in a fixed bed reactor to finally achieve polymerisation reaction and produce High Density Polyethylene grains.
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This report provides the cost structure of polyethylene furanoate production by the polymerization method.
A liquid hydrocarbon acts as diluent in this process. Ziegler-Natta is used as the catalyst which is mixed in the diluent.
The report contains the cost analysis of PET production using DMT process.
Green Ethylene Manufacturing Plant Project Report thoroughly focuses on every detail that encompasses the cost of manufacturing. Our extensive cost model meticulously covers breaking down expenses around raw materials, labour, technology, and manufacturing expenses. This enables precise cost structure optimization and helps in identifying effective strategies to reduce the overall cash cost of manufacturing.
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HDPE Prices Dropped Due to Low Demand in Asia During February 2024
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In China, HDPE Film Grade Prices are Likely to Edge Higher in the Coming Weeks Amid an Improvement in Demand
Recycled HDPE (Coloured Pellets for Blow Moulding) Import Prices in Europe Have Been Falling and Now Trading at USD 1080-1150 Per Tonne, In Line with Virgin HDPE
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