Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Price Trend and Forecast

Polyethylene Glycol Regional Price Overview

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Polyethylene Glycol in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa).

Polyethylene Glycol Price Trend for the Q4 of 2024

Asia

In Asia, the Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) market exhibited mixed demand patterns in Q4’24. While the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors continued to show steady demand for PEG, industries such as automotive and chemicals faced slower consumption. This was largely due to weaker global economic conditions and reduced manufacturing activities across the region.
 

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The price of ethylene oxide (EO), a key feedstock for PEG, experienced fluctuations, which added pressure on PEG pricing. In countries like China and India, demand from the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries remained stable, but the overall market was subdued by broader economic uncertainties and competitive pressures within the chemical sector.

Europe

In Europe, the PEG market encountered challenges during Q4’24. Demand from the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries was relatively stable, but industrial sectors showed signs of reduced consumption. This was partly due to slower economic growth and ongoing production challenges. As the price of ethylene oxide declined, there was additional downward pressure on PEG prices. A combination of decreased industrial demand and heightened competition within the chemical industry led to price reductions during the quarter. Energy costs and the adjustment of supplier discounts further impacted the overall market conditions, leading to uncertainty in PEG pricing towards the end of the year.

North America

In North America, the PEG market showed relative stability in Q4’24. Demand from the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries remained consistent, but industrial demand was more mixed due to economic slowdowns in some sectors. The price of ethylene oxide fluctuated in line with broader market trends, influencing PEG prices accordingly. Despite some reductions in demand from industrial sectors, the overall market remained balanced as producers adjusted their production levels to accommodate shifts in demand from key end-use industries.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Polyethylene Glycol market is expected to face continued pressure, driven by mixed demand from key sectors and ongoing economic challenges. The pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries may offer some support to PEG prices, but fluctuations in feedstock prices and global economic conditions will continue to influence market dynamics.
 

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Price Trend for the Q3 of 2024

Asia

In the Asian region, the PEG market showcased notable stability during Q3'24, maintaining a balanced trajectory despite minor fluctuations.

The market found support from consistent demand in the pharmaceutical and personal care sectors, while upstream ethylene oxide prices, particularly influenced by high cracker operating rates in South Korea, provided additional cost support. However, some downward pressure emerged with the anticipated restart of Vietnam's Longshan Petrochemical facility. The Indian market specifically experienced a slight weakening due to increased domestic production capacity, slower consumer spending affecting end-user demand, and the growing impact of environmental regulations on traditional polymer consumption patterns.

Europe

European PEG markets demonstrated resilience with a modest upward bias throughout the quarter. The market gained significant support from supply tightness, particularly following the Lukoil-related pipeline closure that affected Hungarian production. Steady demand from pharmaceutical and industrial applications, combined with rising production costs, helped maintain price levels. The ongoing geopolitical tensions continued to impact logistics and supply chains, while transportation costs, though elevated, remained relatively stable, contributing to the overall market stability in the region.

North America

The North American PEG market presented a mixed trend but ultimately maintained overall stability during Q3. The impact of Hurricane Beryl on ethylene production provided temporary support to prices, while facility outages at key producers like Nova Chemicals created sporadic supply constraints. Despite these disruptions, the market showed resilience through balanced supply-demand dynamics. The Mexican market reflected similar stability, though at slightly elevated price levels compared to previous quarters. Downstream demand remained steady, particularly from the pharmaceutical and personal care sectors, helping to offset any potential volatility from upstream cost fluctuations.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the global PEG market is likely to maintain its current stability, with regional variations primarily driven by local supply-demand dynamics and logistical considerations.
 

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Price Trend for the Q2 of 2024

Asia

During the second quarter of 2024, the pricing pattern of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in China experienced a slight increase due to several factors. In China, the slow production of the commodity since the last quarter, compounded by scheduled maintenance plans, led to a depletion in inventory levels. On the other hand, downstream industries saw a rebound in their sales figures, providing ample support for the polyethylene glycol (PEG) market. Additionally, while demand for downstream monomers was generally average, there was strong demand for polyether, esters, and other materials using polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Further, the stimulus provided by the Chinese government for real estate construction boosted market momentum. Therefore, despite the underperformance of production and output rates due to operational halts during the May Day holidays, the pricing pattern of polyethylene glycol (PEG) improved significantly. However, cautiousness within the downstream infrastructure industry regarding high-priced monomers also tempered the potential for significant upward price trends for polyethylene glycol (PEG) raw materials.

Europe

In Europe, the second quarter of 2024 saw a rise in price volatility in the chemical and resin markets, driven by buyers increasingly relying on overseas volumes and oscillations in the performance of the domestic production volumes. This trend supported an upward trajectory in polyethylene glycol (PEG) prices. Initially, buyers shifted from more expensive European contracts to cheaper spot volumes, often imported from the US or the Middle East.

However, various disruptions such as import delays, Red Sea freight chaos, production issues, and industrial actions increased demand for domestically produced quantities, further raising prices. Despite these market shifts, Europe continued to face challenges from its aging infrastructure, high reliance on costly naphtha-based feedstocks, and competition with Asia and the US. These factors collectively influenced the regional price trends of polyethylene glycol (PEG).

North America

In North America, Q2’24 saw a steady rise in polyethylene glycol (PEG) prices driven by supply-demand imbalances, increased production costs, and trading uncertainties. The cost of ethylene glycol surged significantly compared to the last quarter, partly due to rising feedstock prices.

The geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict between Hamas and Israel, contributed to this increase. Additionally, the announcement of production cuts by OPEC+ countries fueled the uncertainties in the market. The rising freight rates from China to North America and North Europe to North America further elevated production costs, pushing prices higher. Therefore, these factors collectively created a challenging environment for polyethylene glycol (PEG) pricing in North America.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) is expected to be driven by the complex interplay of downstream demand, rising geopolitical concerns, and escalating ocean freight charges.
 

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Price Trend for the Q1 of 2024

Asia

Polyethylene Glycol or PEG prices acquired a very versatile pattern in the Asian markets during the first quarter of 2024. In the Chinese market, the prices saw some marginal inclination initially as per the anticipated projections. Inventories were low, demands were inching gradually, and majorly, the crude oil prices exploded. However, all these factors were able to anchor the Chinese polyethylene glycol market temporarily.

After a short-term incline, the prices again turned south in the latter phase of the quarter. These fluctuations were majorly driven by the downstream demands. The feedstock ethylene oxide prices also maneuvered the price trend in the region. Similarly, in the Indian market, the ambiguous demands from the packaging and insulation sectors kept the market riddled. With both upward and downward movements of prices, the market trend remained mixed for the majority of Q1’24.

Europe

Contrary to the Asian PEG market, the European market mostly witnessed depreciating trends during the first three months of 2024. The market began on a colder note at the beginning of the quarter in January. The inventories were already glutted with the unused stocks of previous months since the market outlook was subdued even then. Continuing that same pattern, the demands remained southward, wavering for the most part.

Witnessing a harsh war for the past two years, the regional consumers witnessed a fundamental shift in their consumption and procurement patterns. With lingering economic uncertainties and phases of heightened inflation, the consumers acquired a necessity-centric approach, and because of that, the price trend remained bearish despite a rise in energy and manufacturing costs.

North America

The American PEG market replicated its Asian counterpart’s behavior during the given span of Q1’24. After some early good days for suppliers, the market movement turned southward. The initial upward push was largely subjected to the increased demands from the electronics and packaging industries and the rise in energy and manufacturing costs. However, soon the market’s momentum shifted completely as the demand started falling. Buyers were very cautious with bulk purchases, and the excess stockpiles didn’t align with this approach. Overall, mixed market sentiments were witnessed in Q1’24.

Analyst insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) price trends are likely to remain lukewarm going forward. Demands from some consuming sectors project hope, however, largely a confined movement is expected in PEG prices.
 

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Price Trend for the October - December of 2023

Asia

Polyethylene Glycol or PEG is a very versatile and potent hydrophilic (water soluble) nontoxic polymer of ethylene glycol that is used capaciously in various important downstream sectors.

During the said period of Q4’23, the Indian polyethylene glycol market performed relatively better than the Chinese polyethylene glycol market. Although the general market trend fluctuated within a narrow range during the three months, the price graph was more inclined in the Indian market. Along with the downstream demands, the feedstock ethylene oxide prices also played a crucial role in determining these market trend. Overall, mixed market trend were witnessed throughout the said time period.

Europe

The European polyethylene glycol market also experienced similar market fluctuations in the last quarter of the year 2023. Since the freight hurdles were already detrimental to the offshore trade activities, the domestic demands kept the polyethylene glycol market afloat. Conclusively, borderline buoyancy was observed in the polyethylene glycol market trend in the European region during the said period.

North America

The American polyethylene glycol market saw similar short-range oscillations in the discussed period of Q4’23. The long holiday season impacted the market behavior. Overall, swift variations were witnessed in the polyethylene glycol market trend.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the polyethylene glycol price trend are anticipated to continue wavering in the coming quarter; the current market drivers do not suggest much change in the dynamics going forward.
 

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Price Trend for the July - September of 2023

Asia

The appreciation in the Polyethylene glycol (PEG) prices during the third quarter of 2023 was on account of positive demand shown by its downstream industries. The pharmaceutical industry increased its rates of procurement of Polyethylene glycol (PEG), but the low availability of feedstock materials and, in addition to this, shutting down many petroleum plants further lowered the production of raw materials in the Asia Pacific. Further, the extreme weather conditions disrupted the supply chains while the requirement for Polyethylene glycol (PEG) remained strong, resulting in the surge in Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Price Trend.

Europe

The first month of the third quarter struggled with an excess number of inventories of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and plunging condition of the consumer sector. In keeping the Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Price Trend in the downward direction, the rise in the cost of energy production and the slow growth of the European economy played a significant role. The end-user industries also faced a limited number of orders after the onset of the summer holidays. However, soon the rise in crude oil prices and its restricted supply helped in the growth of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) prices.

North America

The Polyethylene glycol (PEG) prices moved southwards during the third quarter of 2023 as the lowering of rates of procurement from the downstream industries played a significant role in dictating the Polyethylene glycol (PEG) price graph. In addition to this, to rise in the water levels of many rivers, important from the export point of view, disrupted the supply of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hampered the overall trend of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) prices. Meanwhile, on account of restrictions imposed by OPEC+, the region also struggled with the cost of crude oil, and this, in turn, resulted in the decline in Polyethylene glycol (PEG) prices.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) are expected to trace a downward trajectory as the feedstock and demand of PEG seem bleak.
 

Polyethylene Glycol Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

Initially, the PEG prices kept stagnant, but as the period progressed, the prices declined gradually. The major factors affecting the prices were the slow movement of end-user industries and the excess availability of the product in the market. Additionally, the consumption rates of the consumers declined, and the feedstock prices also suffered from the ample availability in the region. As a result, weak support from the upstream sector and a smaller number of offtakes led to a decline in the price trend for polyethylene glycol.

Europe

The Polyethylene glycol market showcased a positive trend in the first two quarters of 2023. The price rose initially and then stabilized towards the end of the second quarter with some month-to-month fluctuations. The reduced availability of feedstock materials forced the manufacturers to reduce their production rates which eventually reduced the availability of polyethylene glycol in the region. Hence, with consistent demand and a rising number of offtakes, the price trend of polyethylene glycol inclined in the region.

North America

The prices of polyethylene glycol in North America mirrored the trend seen in the European region. The prices of the commodity were stable as the demand from the end-user cosmetics and related industries rose gradually. This steady demand reduced the stock availability, and as a result of this mismatch, the price trend of polyethylene glycol soared. In addition, the supply chain also got disrupted as several plants closed their production activities due to the initiation of the spring season. This further created shortages in the market, thereby exerting pressure on the polyethylene market.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price of Polyethylene Glycol is expected to showcase a fluctuating trend in the upcoming quarters as the demand from the end-user industries is estimated to remain uncertain amid rising inflation rates.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG). Each price database is tied to a user-friendly graphing tool dating back to 2014, which provides a range of functionalities: configuration of price series over user defined time period; comparison of product movements across countries; customisation of price currencies and unit; extraction of price data as excel files to be used offline.