Major polymer futures in China closed lower on Monday, reflecting a cautious start to the trading week amid steady currency levels and restrained buying interest. With the yuan holding near 7.11 to the U.S. dollar, contracts for leading plastics drifted lower across the board despite intraday swings.
Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) January 2026 contract (l2601) began the session at RMB 7,116, equivalent to USD 832 per metric ton, and moved within a narrow band of RMB 7,128 to 7,090 before settling at RMB 7,105 (USD 830). The close marked a decline of 0.67 percent, or RMB 48 (USD 5.61 per ton), from Friday’s settlement at RMB 7,153 (USD 836).
Polypropylene (PP) January 2026 contract (pp2601) followed a similar path, opening at RMB 6,866 (USD 802), touching a high of RMB 6,870 (USD 803) and a low of RMB 6,830 (USD 798) before ending at RMB 6,842 (USD 800). This represented a 0.77 percent loss, or RMB 53 (USD 6.19 per ton), against the previous close of RMB 6,895 (USD 806).
The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) January 2026 contract (v2601) showed the sharpest drop. It opened at RMB 4,927 (USD 576) and moved between RMB 4,935 (USD 577) and RMB 4,868 (USD 569) before settling at RMB 4,891 (USD 572). That finish was 1.29 percent lower, a fall of RMB 64 (USD 7.48 per ton), from Friday’s RMB 4,955 (USD 579).
Monoethylene glycol (MEG) January 2026 contract (eg2601) also softened, opening at RMB 4,231 (USD 494) and trading between RMB 4,235 (USD 495) and RMB 4,188 (USD 489) before closing at RMB 4,212 (USD 492). The contract ended 0.87 percent down, shedding RMB 37 (USD 4.32 per ton) from the prior settlement of RMB 4,249 (USD 497).
The across-the-board declines underscore persistent caution in China’s polymer markets as traders weigh global economic signals and seasonal demand patterns while the currency remains stable.
