Polypropylene (PP) export prices in the United States displayed a mixed undertone this week, with copolymer values weakening while homopolymer prices edged higher.
FAS Houston PP copolymer prices were assessed at USD 1005–1025/mt, down by USD 35/mt from the previous week. An industry source told a Polymerduniya team member that spot export prices for polypropylene copolymer fell as trading largely revolved around testing lower price levels. Persistent weak demand and ample inventories continued to weigh heavily on the market, while sellers faced difficulties in stimulating fresh buying interest. International buyers remained cautious amid ongoing global oversupply, with manufacturers struggling to balance operating rates against subdued consumption. Tight margins and strong competition from alternative supply sources further added to the pressure.
In contrast, PP homopolymer prices strengthened slightly. FAS Houston homopolymer prices were assessed at USD 970–990/mt, a week-on-week gain of USD 10/mt. Market participants noted a pick-up in export activity, with some foreign buyers showing renewed interest in competitively priced US-origin material. Traders attributed the uptick to relatively tighter supply compared to earlier weeks and consistent overseas demand. Still, sentiment remains cautious, as fundamentals of global demand remain weak, with buyers closely tracking shifts in trade flows and production trends.
Upstream, polymer-grade propylene spot prices moved higher, assessed at 31.50–32.00 cents/lb FOB US Gulf on Thursday, up by 0.50 cents/lb from the prior week. In the contract markets, US propylene contract prices for July 2025 settled at 37.50 cents/lb for polymer grade and 36.00 cents/lb for chemical grade, both down by 1.00 cent/lb compared to June 2025 settlements.
