The US polymer market endured another week of downward pressure, as export prices across most grades slipped in response to abundant supply and sluggish international demand. Producers and traders grappled with mounting competition in key global markets, while buyers remained reluctant to commit beyond immediate needs, anticipating further concessions.
In HDPE, spot export prices fell as sellers slashed offers to secure deals in an oversupplied environment. Market sources noted that recent reductions left little to no margin for producers, underscoring the intensity of the competitive landscape. The weakness mirrored conditions in other regions, where weak downstream demand and plentiful resin supply converged to suppress sentiment.
LDPE exports also lost ground, pressured by a global supply glut and cautious buying patterns. US-origin cargoes, once attractive due to competitive pricing, now face resistance as importing regions grow increasingly oversupplied. Buyers limited purchases to essentials, forcing US suppliers to divert volumes and accept slimmer margins to keep material moving.
LLDPE mirrored this trend, with prices slipping further amid lacklustre demand and ample inventory. Market participants described the downturn as part of a wider global malaise in polyethylene, with excess availability from multiple sources creating persistent downward momentum. Buyers stayed on the sidelines, waiting for additional discounts, while sellers attempted to offload cargoes at increasingly competitive levels.
In polypropylene (PP), the picture was mixed. Copolymer exports weakened as sellers lowered offers to stimulate buying interest, though demand remained muted due to persistent global oversupply and cautious sentiment abroad. Homopolymer exports, by contrast, saw slight gains as tighter availability supported prices, and foreign buyers sought competitive US-origin cargoes as substitutes for more expensive local options. Despite this, most market participants characterized overall PP sentiment as fragile, with producers struggling to balance operating rates against thin margins.
Polystyrene (PS) export prices remained stable, with activity limited. While food packaging provided some steady demand, broader downstream sectors showed little appetite, leaving momentum flat. Import prices dipped slightly, reflecting the global trend of softening sentiment.
PVC exports, however, faced notable weakness. Prices dropped as buyers resisted current offer levels, pushing sellers to reduce prices in search of transactions. With demand muted in key export destinations and US supply remaining ample, many participants predicted further declines unless orders pick up in the coming weeks.
PET prices also moved lower, weighed down by lacklustre demand during what is typically the peak summer consumption period. Beverage-related demand failed to provide its usual seasonal support, while macroeconomic uncertainty and tariff-related pressures further limited activity. Sellers suggested that without a significant improvement in downstream consumption, the PET market will likely remain under strain into early autumn.
