US ethylene spot prices declined last week as transactions closed at lower levels, pressured by soft regional demand and a drop in upstream contract values. Market participants noted increased paper market activity, a sign of growing instability, while polyethylene export prices held steady thanks to balanced supply and persistently weak demand.
Domestic ethylene production has remained steady, creating elevated inventories and ample supply. Key consuming sectors such as packaging and industrial markets continue to show reduced demand, reinforcing a negative market outlook.
On Friday, ethylene spot prices were assessed at 20.00–20.50 cents/lb FD US Gulf, down 0.50 cents/lb from the previous week. In Asia, prices moved in the opposite direction, rising to USD 845–855/mt CFR Northeast Asia, up USD 10/mt week on week. The US ethylene contract price for August 2025 settled at 32.00 cents/lb, a decrease of 0.50 cents/lb from July levels.
