On Tuesday, ethylene prices in the U.S. Gulf Coast gained 0.50 cents/lb, climbing to 26.50–27.00 cents/lb FD US Gulf, driven by a surge in trade activity and stronger market discussions. An industry insider told Polymerduniya that the upturn was triggered by reports of concluded trades at higher levels, underscoring increased buyer engagement.
Meanwhile, Northeast Asian markets held steady, with CFR North East Asia ethylene prices unchanged at USD 815–825/mt, mirroring Monday’s levels. This contrast highlights a divergence in regional momentum, as the U.S. experienced a pickup in sentiment while Asian markets remained quiet.
In the mid‑June period, U.S. ethylene prices had also shown modest upward movement, buoyed by firmer feedstock costs and stable demand from domestic polyethylene producers, even as German prices declined amid excess inventories and weak downstream consumption.
As of Monday, U.S. ethylene had been trading in a narrow range, reflecting muted activity and cautious market sentiment, but trading volumes on Tuesday suggest renewed interest from buyers and sellers alike.
