Renewed fighting between US and Iran has slowed shipping through the Gulf of Hormuz, disrupting supply routes. Benchmark crude prices have climbed sharply from pre-conflict levels, reflecting heightened geopolitical risk. The upward price pressure is likely to continue while tensions persist.
Intensified US-Iran military actions disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, causing a sharp spike in crude oil prices. The price jump leads to severe depreciation of the Indian rupee, raising import costs and inflationary concerns.
Asia
Unsaturated Polyester Resin prices in Asia increased during Q1’26, supported by rising feedstock costs and improving downstream consumption. Higher costs of styrene, maleic anhydride, and phthalic anhydride elevated production expenses throughout the region. Market sentiment strengthened further as buyers increased procurement activity amid concerns regarding supply security and shipping disruptions. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz created uncertainty across petrochemical supply chains, leading to higher freight rates, insurance costs, and logistics expenses. Demand from fiberglass products, construction materials, marine applications, and industrial composites remained healthy, allowing suppliers to pass through a portion of the increased production costs.
Europe
European Unsaturated Polyester Resin prices moved upward during the first quarter as manufacturers faced rising raw material and energy-related costs. Supply chains experienced additional pressure from disruptions in global trade routes linked to Middle Eastern tensions, increasing transportation expenses for imported feedstocks. Producers responded to elevated input costs by maintaining firm offers, while buyers continued procurement to meet project requirements. The combination of higher operating costs and stable downstream demand supported the bullish market direction.
North America
North American Unsaturated Polyester Resin prices also recorded gains during Q1’26, although the pace of increase was comparatively moderate. Firm feedstock markets continued to support resin production costs, while healthy demand from transportation, marine, construction, and composite manufacturing sectors sustained consumption levels. Regional supply remained relatively balanced; however, global shipping disruptions and increased freight expenses raised replacement costs for imported materials.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, UPR prices are expected to remain firm in the near term as feedstock markets continue to receive support from elevated energy and logistics costs.
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Asia
UPR prices in Asia followed a largely stable-to-soft trend during H2 2025 as demand growth slowed and buyers adopted increasingly cautious purchasing strategies. While consumption from fiberglass products, construction materials, wind energy components, and transportation composites remained present, procurement was largely need-based amid broader economic uncertainty. Feedstock costs eased compared with earlier periods, reducing cost pressure on manufacturers. Chinese producers continued operating in a competitive environment characterized by adequate supply availability and moderate export activity. The combination of softer raw material costs, sufficient inventories, and subdued demand growth resulted in limited upward pricing momentum during the second half of the year.
Europe
European UPR prices remained under pressure during H2 2025 as weak industrial activity and cautious downstream demand weighed on market sentiment. Although construction and composite applications continued to provide baseline consumption, buyers generally avoided large-volume purchases amid uncertain economic conditions. Feedstock costs trended lower, reducing production expenses and easing replacement cost pressure. Producers faced growing competition and margin challenges as demand growth remained limited across several manufacturing sectors. Consequently, the market was characterized by stable-to-soft pricing conditions, with cost reductions partially offsetting the impact of subdued demand.
North America
North American UPR prices displayed a stable-to-soft trend during H2 2025 as balanced supply conditions coincided with conservative purchasing behavior. Demand from marine, automotive, infrastructure, and composite manufacturing sectors remained steady but lacked significant growth momentum. Lower feedstock costs reduced production pressure on suppliers, while adequate inventory availability prevented supply-side tightness. Buyers continued to procure material primarily based on immediate requirements, reflecting cautious market sentiment. Although long-term demand fundamentals for composite materials remained supportive, slower industrial growth and competitive market conditions limited opportunities for sustained price increases during the second half of the year.
Polyesters are one of the most versatile classes of synthetic polymers. They are produced globally in high volume and are widely used as fibres, plastics, coatings, etc. Unsaturated polyester resins are condensation products of unsaturated acids or anhydrides and diols. The unsaturation in this type of polyester provides a site for subsequent cross-linking, thereby influencing its properties. The properties of these compounds also depend upon the chemical substrates used, and the fillers or composites added.
Fibre-reinforced plastics, Pipes/ Mouldings, Sanitary ware, Coatings, Adhesives, Automotive/Marine Industry
UPR, Unsaturated Synthetic Resin
Ashland, Reichhold, Royal DSM., Deltech, Dow
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.
The process of producing an unsaturated polyester comprises many steps. Firstly, depolymerizing polyethene terephthalate with polyhydric alcohol and adding maleic anhydride to the depolymerization product to allow them to react with each other and then adding dicyclopentadiene to the reaction mixture to cause an addition reaction. To the product obtained, polyhydric alcohol and a polybasic acid is added to cause a polycondensation reaction, thereby giving the desired product.
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