This week, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) prices in Latin America drifted downward, pressured by tepid demand, abundant supply, and ongoing economic uncertainty. A Polymerduniya industry source in the region explained that a sluggish August forecast, limited purchase interest from key downstream sectors, and competitive import offers, especially from Asia and the Middle East, forced sellers to trim prices amid persistently high inventory levels.
In Brazil, CFR assessments dipped across the board, with HDPE Injection and Blow-Moulding grades both falling to USD 920–950/mt, and HDPE Film easing to USD 960–990/mt, each marking a USD 10/mt week-on-week decline.
Moving to the West Coast of South America, HDPE Injection fell to USD 890–920/mt (-USD 10/mt), HDPE Film dropped more steeply to USD 940–970/mt (-USD 30/mt), while Blow-Moulding prices held within USD 910–940/mt, unchanged from the prior week.
In the Mercosur region, HDPE Blow-Moulding prices dropped by USD 20/mt to USD 920–950/mt, and HDPE Film fell by USD 10/mt to USD 950–980/mt. However, HDPE Injection prices stayed steady at USD 940–970/mt.
Meanwhile, upstream spot ethylene prices in the U.S. Gulf continued to soften, falling to 24.50–25.00 cents/lb FOB, a 3.00 cents/lb weekly drop. Over in the U.S. export markets, HDPE prices for blow-moulding, injection, and film all remained flat at USD 830–855/mt, USD 830–850/mt, and USD 875–895/mt, respectively, a stark contrast to the Latin American price declines.
