European PET markets are navigating choppy waters this week. Spot prices for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) continued their gentle descent, pressured by sluggish consumption and the holiday-induced lull in purchasing activity. In contrast, contract prices remain steady, providing some semblance of stability amid widespread pessimism.
An industry insider informed a Polymerduniya team member that PET spot fundamentals remain notably weak across August, with demand at historically subdued levels during what is traditionally the peak preform season. Spot prices tumbled to a four-year low, intensifying supplier competition and pushing volumes ever lower at increasingly discounted rates. Further weighing on sentiment, the European Commission launched an anti-dumping investigation on August 13, 2025, into purified terephthalic acid (PTA) imports from South Korea and Mexico. While the probe may not trigger immediate price hikes, it could establish a floor under PET pricing, preventing further steep declines.
In the spot markets, PET FD North-West Europe was assessed at € 935–945/mt, marking a €10/mt drop from the previous week.
Contract pricing held firm across key regions: bottle-grade PET remained at € 1000–1005/mt in Germany, Italy, and France (FD NWE), while the UK maintained prices at GBP 855–860/mt—all unchanged week on week.
Feedstock dynamics reflected slight shifts. Spot MEG prices rose by €5/mt, reaching € 585–590/mt (FD NWE), whereas PTA fell by €5/mt to € 704–705/mt (FD NWE).
In Asia, downward pressure extended globally, PET prices in North-East Asia dropped by USD 10/mt, reaching USD 770–790/mt FOB.
