European ethylene prices began the week without fanfare, holding their ground despite broader economic uncertainties and uneven performance in downstream markets. According to an industry source in Europe who requested anonymity, the European ethylene market remained balanced on Monday, buoyed by consistent demand within the ethylene segment even as other derivative sectors exhibited signs of sluggish activity.
Producers opted to maintain pricing levels, citing stable fundamentals and sufficient supply. However, traders and buyers remained cautiously optimistic, wary of macro-economic headwinds that could quickly alter sentiment. The steady tone underscores a delicate equilibrium: inventories remain comfortable, yet any unexpected shift in feedstock costs or downstream pull could test that balance.
Assessments on Monday reflected the calm. CIF Northwest Europe (NWE) ethylene prices were reported at USD 740-750 per metric tonne, unchanged from Friday’s evaluation. Similarly, FD NWE prices held at EUR 675-685 per metric tonne, mirroring the previous session’s readings.
The stability was not confined to Europe. In Asia, market participants likewise observed little movement. Ethylene cargoes bound for North East Asia were assessed at USD 845-855 per metric tonne CFR, also flat compared with Friday’s levels. The parallel steadiness across these key global hubs highlights a market currently treading water, with neither strong bullish nor bearish impulses taking hold.
Industry observers suggest that upcoming shifts in crude oil pricing, cracker operating rates, and seasonal demand patterns could provide the next catalyst for movement. For now, however, ethylene producers and buyers are navigating a narrow channel of supply-demand balance, choosing to wait for clearer signals before adjusting positions.
