Polystyrene (PS) export prices in the United States witnessed a sharp downturn this week, as bearish market conditions weighed heavily on sentiment. The decline comes despite steady pricing in Asian markets, where momentum slowed due to the onset of seasonal holidays.
According to an industry source in the U.S., weak downstream appetite combined with falling feedstock costs placed significant downward pressure on general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) values. “Weak demand sentiments combined with a decrease in benzene contract prices exerted a bearish pressure on U.S. GPPS export prices. The situation has been exacerbated by weak overseas export demand, with buyers remaining in a wait-and-watch mode amid accumulated stockpiles, rising shipping freights, and an unpredictable economic outlook,” the source said.
Assessments confirmed the price weakness. GPPS export prices fell to USD 1330–1350/mt FAS Houston, while high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) export prices declined to USD 1395–1415/mt FAS Houston. Both categories registered a week-on-week drop of USD 30/mt, reflecting the mounting challenges sellers face in clearing material. Feedstock movements further reinforced the bearish tone, with styrene monomer (SM) spot prices slipping by 0.70 cents/lb to 36.20–36.30 cents/lb FOB U.S. Gulf.
In contrast, Asian PS markets exhibited relative stability over the same period. Golden Week holidays in China led to reduced trading activity, slowing overall momentum. Producers in the region reported that despite some fluctuations in styrene values, downstream demand showed little improvement. A Northeast Asian producer noted that even though raw material costs have shifted, “they are not expected to have a positive impact on downstream demand, with major end-use sectors exhibiting a slowdown in offtake.”
As a result, GPPS prices in Asia were assessed unchanged at USD 1020–1060/mt CFR Far East Asia, while HIPS prices also held steady at USD 1120–1180/mt CFR Far East Asia. The stability in Asia underscores a contrast to the U.S. market, where weak fundamentals, subdued global buying interest, and macroeconomic uncertainty continue to drag values lower.
Analysts suggest that unless overseas demand revives and logistical pressures ease, U.S. PS export prices may face continued downward momentum in the weeks ahead, even as Asia remains buffered by seasonal slowdowns rather than active selling pressure.
