Polystyrene (GPPS) Price Trend and Forecast

Polystyrene (GPPS) Regional Price Overview

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

Polystyrene (GPPS) Price Trend for Q1 of 2025

Asia

During the first quarter of 2025, the Polystyrene (GPPS) industry in Asia, particularly in China, was influenced by fluctuations in upstream costs, primarily driven by its main feedstock, styrene. The price trend of styrene remained volatile due to factors such as crude oil price variations and benzene availability. Additionally, the Lunar New Year impacted supply chains, leading to temporary production declines, which briefly pushed polystyrene prices upward. However, as supply chains stabilized, prices began to decline due to persistently weak demand.
 

Polystyrene (GPPS) Price Chart

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The situation was further exacerbated by surplus inventories at ports, limiting any upward price movement. While polystyrene production continued at a steady pace, limited demand from downstream sectors, particularly EPS manufacturing, prevented any sustained price increase. By the end of the quarter, GPPS prices had settled at a lower level than at the beginning of the period.

Europe

The European market followed trends similar to those in Asia, with price movements driven by upstream cost pressures during the first quarter of 2025. Despite stable supply levels, fluctuating crude oil prices remained a key challenge. The benzene market exhibited mixed trends, with prices partially supported by constrained supply and scheduled maintenance at major production facilities. However, these factors were insufficient to counterbalance weak demand from downstream markets.

European producers struggled to pass rising costs onto consumers, which limited price growth for GPPS. Additionally, geopolitical uncertainties and weaker-than-expected consumer demand dampened market sentiment, fostering a cautious approach among producers and buyers. As in Asia, high inventory levels in Europe suppressed any significant price increases toward the end of the quarter.

North America

In North America, GPPS price trends during the first quarter of 2025 aligned with those in Asia and Europe. Upstream cost pressures, primarily from crude oil and benzene, were present but had a less pronounced impact due to distinct market dynamics. North American producers faced challenges in raising prices despite maintaining strong inventory levels.

The regional market was marked by stable production levels and a sluggish recovery in downstream demand, which affected both styrene and GPPS prices. As seen in other regions, the North American market outlook suggested continued price volatility, influenced by external factors such as crude oil fluctuations and the ongoing supply-demand imbalance.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the polystyrene (GPPS) price curve is expected to remain influenced by upstream pricing trends and inventory levels in the coming months, exhibiting an oscillating pattern.
 

Polystyrene (GPPS) Price Trend for the Second Half of 2024

Asia

Polystyrene (GPPS) prices in Asia gradually declined throughout the second half of 2024. China, a major market player, experienced moderate price fluctuations with a downward trend during this period. Although the supply of styrene monomer remained stable, demand was weaker than expected, preventing any significant upward movement in prices. Some logistical challenges persisted, particularly during the monsoon season.

However, in the third quarter of 2024, polystyrene prices moved within a narrow range. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the upstream styrene market gradually declined due to falling crude oil prices. The polystyrene price curve followed the same trajectory, exhibiting a slight downward trend as the quarter progressed. However, market sentiment remained subdued, and no significant recovery was observed across the region.

Europe

Europe experienced a steady decline in demand for polystyrene during the second half of 2024. In Q3, an oversupply of the commodity, combined with reduced demand from key sectors such as automotive and construction, led to a gradual decrease in prices. High inventory levels and weak consumer sentiment made it challenging for producers to maintain profitability.

In Q4, demand did not recover, and prices continued on a downward trajectory. Additionally, the European polystyrene market faced further challenges due to competitive imports. While some stabilization was observed towards the end of the year, seasonal demand upticks did little to ease market pressure and had minimal impact on the polystyrene price trend.

North America

During the second half of 2024, the North American polystyrene market experienced significant price fluctuations. Slow demand from the packaging and construction industries, coupled with an oversupplied market, led to a steady decline in prices. Additionally, traders remained cautious in their purchasing behavior, anticipating further price drops.

Seasonal demand contributed to price stabilization, and some temporary upticks were observed due to pre-festive stocking. Support came from stable upstream costs and steady procurement activity from key sectors such as consumer goods and packaging, although occasional adjustments resulted from logistical disruptions. By the end of the year, the market appeared more stable, with fewer sharp fluctuations.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the polystyrene (GPPS) market is expected to show slight improvements due to lower inventories at the start of the new year.
 

Polystyrene (GPPS) Price Trend for the First Half of 2024

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Asia

In the Chinese region, the Polystyrene (GPPS) price trend remained relatively stable at the beginning of the year. Prices were kept in check by both supply and demand from the packaging and electronics industries. However, as the year progressed, the Polystyrene (GPPS) price curve experienced a significant increase driven by increases in feedstock prices and supply chain disruptions.

Increased freight costs and shipping disruptions at the Red Sea pushed up the Polystyrene (GPPS) prices, creating pressure on the market. As the supply chains adapted, Polystyrene (GPPS) prices stabilized, and the market started to settle by the end of the second quarter. The market was somewhat in equilibrium as the price volatility slowed and displayed rangebound movements towards the end of the said period.

Europe

In the European markets, the price trajectory of Polystyrene (GPPS) was similar to the Asian region. The prices were about 1620 USD/MT in January’24 and around 1777 USD/MT in June’24. Higher production costs and logistical challenges caused prices to increase rapidly in the said period. Increased freight costs and delayed shipments disrupted the supply chains of the major chemicals in the region.

Although supply chains experienced some adjustments, prices stabilized towards the end of the second quarter. However, Polystyrene (GPPS) prices were still higher when compared to the initial months of the year. Overall, the Polystyrene (GPPS) price curve showed notable fluctuations in the second half of the year due to ongoing logistical challenges and limited raw material availability.

North America

In North America, GPPS prices experienced a steady rise in the first few months due to strong demand from the downstream consumer goods and packaging industries, which saw increased activity following the New Year holidays. Similar to other regions, as the year progressed, Polystyrene (GPPS) prices were influenced by rising feedstock costs and logistical challenges driven by higher freight rates. Prices continued to climb due to escalating raw material expenses and ongoing supply chain disruptions. However, towards the end of the period, some stabilization was observed in the Polystyrene (GPPS) price trend. Prices stood at approximately 1,586 USD/MT in January 2024 and rose to around 1,653 USD/MT by June 2024.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the polystyrene (GPPS) price curve is anticipated to show upticks in the upcoming months, influenced by the rising demand from the downstream sector.
 

Polystyrene (GPPS) Price Trend for the the Second Half of 2023

Asia

The General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) prices started slowly in the Asian markets at the beginning of the third quarter as the suppliers were still dealing with the available stocks in inventories. However, soon, the prices started picking up following the surge in demand after mid-Q3.

The price graph started inclining as more and more orders came in. However, as the fourth quarter began, the situation started reversing again, and the price graph started flattening during this time. The international trade dynamics were disturbed because of the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. This massively affected the international orders for General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) and made the price trend struggle as the year-end approached. Overall, a largely lukewarm performance was witnessed in H2’23.

Europe

The European General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) industry performed well for the majority of the discussed period. As the supply and demand outlooks maintained a healthy balance, consistent growth was observed in the market.

It was only around the latter half of the fourth quarter that the price trend started going down slightly because of demand depreciation, but overall, market sentiments were largely positive. The half-yearly appreciation in the average monthly prices around the discussed span was approximately 10% as the prices went from about 1602 USD/MT in July’23 to around 1763 USD/MT in December of 2023.

North America

The American General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) industry was more influenced by the Asian market as the price trend here was observed to be struggling throughout the said period. The monthly average prices went from around 2182 USD/MT in July to about 1653 USD/MT in December ‘23. Overall, muted market sentiments were witnessed.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) price trends are expected to continue fluctuating in the coming months. The trade outlook will be more tilted towards the demand dynamics.
 

Polystyrene (GPPS) Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

The first quarter of 2023 saw a gradual decline in the price trend of polystyrene (GPPS), as the major cause of this fall was the consistent ups and downs in the crude oil sector. The supply of products was further hampered by the delays due to labor strikes. Another cause of worry for the manufacturers was the low demand from the downstream industries.

These problems were further amplified in the second quarter as the packaging and derivatives industries were hit by a low volume of sales. In the latter half of the second quarter, the level of inventories at the domestic ports inclined, causing the traders to lower their bids and thus leading to the notable decline in the price trend of polystyrene (GPPS).

Europe

High fluctuation in crude oil prices affected the domestic demand for polystyrene (GPPS), and with seasonal fluctuations in the region, the price trend of polystyrene (GPPS) declined in the first quarter of 2023. Along with the weak demand dynamics of the region, the polystyrene (GPPS) market, the second quarter also witnessed feeble trading sentiments as the oversupply at ports and sluggish consumption rates had a negative impact on the prices. In addition to this, the feedstock prices and high economic uncertainties caused the price trend of polystyrene (GPPS) to move southwards.

North America

In North America, the crude oil market led to a rise in the cost of production that widened the supply-demand gap in the region. The procurement rates improved slightly in the middle of the second quarter with the help of improvement in the consumption rates, but soon, the debt crisis swallowed the growth potential of the economy, and with struggling feedstock costs, the price trend of polystyrene (GPPS) declined gradually.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Polystyrene (GPPS) is expected to fall in the upcoming months as the demand from the end-user industries does not seem to support the growth of polystyrene (GPPS) market.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Polystyrene (GPPS). 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.