Fresh activity has been reported in the Chinese polyethylene market, with a producer from Thailand heard to have announced its latest offer for metallocene linear low-density polyethylene (mLLDPE) grades. According to a source, the offer has been set at USD 1,010 per metric ton on a CFR China Main Port basis for September 2025 shipment.
Market participants noted that the offer arrives at a time when Chinese polymer demand remains uneven, with converters taking a cautious approach to procurement amid pressure from weak downstream margins and relatively high inventories. Although mLLDPE grades are often sought for premium applications in packaging and films due to their superior performance properties, many buyers are still weighing whether to commit to fresh volumes at current levels, citing uncertainties in near-term consumption trends.
The USD 1,010/mt level is broadly aligned with recent regional discussions, but traders observed that competitive offers from the Middle East and South Korea could shape negotiations in the coming weeks. The timing of the offer, just ahead of China’s anticipated September replenishment phase, is seen as strategic, as converters typically step up purchasing before seasonal demand in packaging and agriculture.
Industry sources suggested that while the Thai producer’s offer underscores continued efforts to maintain a foothold in the Chinese import market, the final acceptance will depend heavily on how buyers assess feedstock cost trends, inventory pressures, and the balance between virgin polyethylene and recycled material. For now, the market remains cautious but alert to opportunities, with participants closely watching whether September will bring the anticipated uptick in demand.
