Ethylene Prices Index and Trend Chart with Quarterly Forecast Prices

Ethylene Price trend recorded a mixed regional trend in July 2026, with Northeast Asia registering a 3.5% increase, while Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America experienced declines. Prices ranged from USD 0.58/KG in North America to USD 1.17/KG in Europe, reflecting significant differences in feedstock economics, cracker operating rates, downstream demand, inventories, and regional trade flows.

The market remained influenced by contrasting supply-demand conditions across major producing and consuming regions. Northeast Asia experienced firmer pricing amid tighter availability and steady downstream consumption, while Europe and Southeast Asia saw sharper corrections as supply conditions improved and purchasing remained cautious. North America maintained the lowest price, supported by comparatively competitive feedstock economics and established production capacity.

Regional Ethylene Prices Outlook – July 2026: Where Are Prices Highest?

• Europe: USD 1.17/KG (-11.4% ↓ Down)
• Northeast Asia: USD 0.88/KG (+3.5% ↑ Up)
• Southeast Asia: USD 0.84/KG (-11.6% ↓ Down)
• North America: USD 0.58/KG (-9.4% ↓ Down)

The highest ethylene price was recorded in Europe at USD 1.17/KG, followed by Northeast Asia at USD 0.88/KG and Southeast Asia at USD 0.84/KG. North America recorded the lowest price at USD 0.58/KG, reflecting its relatively competitive production economics and strong availability of feedstocks for ethylene crackers.

The regional divergence was particularly notable because Northeast Asia moved upward while all other reported markets declined. The 11.6% reduction in Southeast Asia represented the sharpest downward movement, while Europe's 11.4% decline brought its pricing lower despite retaining the highest absolute price. These differences highlight the influence of regional cracker utilization, feedstock costs, downstream demand, and inventory positions.

Regional Price Analysis of Ethylene Prices – July 2026

Northeast Asia

Northeast Asia recorded ethylene prices at USD 0.88/KG, increasing 3.5% during July 2026. The upward movement reflected comparatively tighter regional availability and steady purchasing requirements from polyethylene, ethylene oxide, styrene, and other downstream producers.

Buyers maintained regular procurement despite broader uncertainty in the petrochemical market. Cracker operating conditions and feedstock availability remained important market variables, while downstream consumers focused on securing sufficient volumes for continuous production. The firmer regional balance supported higher spot and contract pricing.

Europe

Europe reported ethylene prices at USD 1.17/KG, representing an 11.4% decline during July. Despite remaining the highest-priced region, the market experienced a significant correction as supply availability improved and downstream buyers reduced procurement urgency.

European ethylene demand remained linked to polyethylene, PVC-related value chains, ethylene oxide, and other derivatives. However, cautious manufacturing activity and relatively comfortable inventories limited purchasing pressure. Lower feedstock-related costs and improved supply conditions allowed producers and distributors to adjust prices downward.

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia recorded ethylene prices at USD 0.84/KG, declining 11.6%, the sharpest reduction among the reported regions. The correction reflected improved availability, weaker procurement intensity, and softer downstream buying conditions.

Polyethylene, ethylene glycol, styrene, and other derivative industries continued to consume ethylene, but buyers adopted shorter purchasing cycles and limited inventory accumulation. Increased regional supply availability reduced the urgency to secure material, placing downward pressure on spot-market pricing.

North America

North America recorded the lowest ethylene price at USD 0.58/KG, down 9.4% during July 2026. The market retained a competitive cost position due to established cracker capacity and favorable feedstock economics.

Downstream demand from polyethylene, ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide, and other derivative markets remained steady but did not generate sufficient purchasing pressure to offset available supply. Buyers maintained disciplined inventory positions, while producers faced a market in which competitive feedstock conditions supported lower pricing.

Supply and Demand Overview – July 2026

Global ethylene supply conditions varied considerably across regions during July 2026. Cracker operating rates, feedstock availability, maintenance schedules, and derivative demand influenced local supply balances. North America continued to benefit from competitive feedstock economics, while some Asian markets experienced more constrained availability.

Demand remained steady across major downstream industries:

• Polyethylene Manufacturing: Strong structural consumption for packaging and industrial applications
• Ethylene Oxide: Stable requirements for surfactants, detergents, and chemical intermediates
• Ethylene Glycol: Continued consumption for polyester fibers, PET, and antifreeze
• Styrene Production: Ongoing demand for polystyrene and synthetic rubber value chains
• PVC and Chemical Derivatives: Consistent ethylene requirements across multiple petrochemical applications

The global market remained regionally unbalanced. Improved supply and cautious downstream purchasing created downward pressure in Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America, while tighter availability and stable consumption supported the Northeast Asian increase.

Key Factors Affecting Prices – Monthly Perspective

Several critical factors influenced ethylene pricing during July 2026:

• Raw Material Availability: Naphtha, ethane, and other cracker feedstocks strongly influenced production costs and regional price competitiveness.
• Downstream Demand: Polyethylene, ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide, styrene, and other derivatives maintained varying levels of consumption.
• Logistics: Regional transportation, port conditions, storage capacity, and international trade flows influenced delivered ethylene economics.
• Energy Costs: Energy-intensive cracking operations remained sensitive to electricity, natural gas, and broader energy-market conditions.
• Trade Dynamics: Import requirements, export availability, regional arbitrage opportunities, and petrochemical trade flows contributed to price differences.

Recent Developments (July Highlights)

• Northeast Asian ethylene pricing strengthened as regional availability remained comparatively constrained.
• European prices corrected significantly as supply conditions improved and buyers maintained cautious procurement.
• Southeast Asia recorded the strongest decline amid improved availability and softer downstream purchasing.
• North American prices remained comparatively low due to competitive feedstock economics and established cracker capacity.

These developments resulted in a distinctly mixed regional market, with supply availability and feedstock economics driving significant differences in monthly price performance.

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Ethylene Price Chart Analysis – Monthly Movement

The Ethylene Price Chart for July 2026 shows a divergent regional movement, with Northeast Asia trending upward while Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America moved lower. The contrasting performance demonstrates the influence of localized supply-demand conditions and feedstock economics.

Key monthly movements include:

• Early July: Buyers monitored cracker operating rates and downstream demand while maintaining controlled procurement strategies.
• Mid-July: European and Southeast Asian prices began experiencing stronger downward pressure as supply availability improved and buyers reduced inventory accumulation.
• Late July: North American prices remained at lower levels, while Northeast Asia maintained its upward trajectory as regional availability remained comparatively tighter.

The chart highlights the importance of region-specific monitoring when managing ethylene procurement. Understanding the timing and magnitude of price changes can help downstream manufacturers optimize inventory levels, assess supplier offers, and negotiate contracts more effectively.

Ethylene Price Index & Historical Analysis

The Ethylene Price Index reflected a mixed market direction in July 2026, with Northeast Asia increasing by 3.5% while the other reported markets declined. The broad regional spread, from USD 0.58/KG in North America to USD 1.17/KG in Europe, demonstrates the influence of feedstock economics, production capacity, logistics, and regional demand.

Historically, ethylene prices have remained closely linked to crude oil, natural gas, naphtha, ethane, and other feedstock markets. Cracker operating rates, planned maintenance, unplanned shutdowns, derivative demand, and global petrochemical cycles also create significant fluctuations in ethylene pricing.

The ethylene price history is shaped by:

• Feedstock Economics: Ethane, naphtha, and other feedstock costs directly influence cracker margins.
• Cracker Utilization: Changes in operating rates affect regional ethylene availability.
• Polymer Demand: Polyethylene remains a major driver of ethylene consumption.
• Derivative Production: Ethylene oxide, glycol, styrene, and other derivatives influence demand intensity.
• Petrochemical Cycles: Changes in manufacturing activity and global economic conditions affect downstream procurement.

The July 2026 trajectory indicates that regional fundamentals remain highly influential. Northeast Asia's price increase contrasts with substantial declines elsewhere, suggesting that supply-demand conditions were not synchronized across major markets.

What Is Ethylene?

Ethylene is a colorless, highly flammable hydrocarbon gas and one of the most important basic petrochemical building blocks. It is primarily produced through steam cracking of hydrocarbons such as ethane, naphtha, propane, and other feedstocks.

Key applications include:

• Polyethylene: Used extensively in packaging, films, containers, pipes, and industrial products
• Ethylene Glycol: Used in polyester production, PET, antifreeze, and heat-transfer applications
• Ethylene Oxide: Used to produce surfactants, solvents, glycols, and other chemical intermediates
• Styrene: Supports production of polystyrene, ABS, synthetic rubber, and other materials
• Vinyl Products: Contributes indirectly to several chemical and polymer value chains

Ethylene serves as a foundation for a broad range of plastics, chemicals, fibers, and industrial materials. Its central role in petrochemical manufacturing makes its pricing closely connected to energy markets, cracker economics, and downstream industrial demand.

Ethylene Price Forecast – Next 12 Months

The ethylene price forecast for the next 12 months indicates a regionally mixed but broadly stable outlook, with pricing likely to remain sensitive to feedstock costs, cracker utilization, and downstream polymer demand. Periodic volatility could emerge from maintenance outages, changes in refinery operations, and shifts in global manufacturing activity.

Key growth drivers include:

• Polyethylene Demand: Continued packaging and industrial consumption should provide a strong structural demand base.
• Infrastructure and Construction: Demand for pipes, films, insulation, and other polymer products can support ethylene derivatives.
• PET and Polyester Growth: Increasing requirements for packaging and synthetic fibers can sustain ethylene glycol consumption.
• Chemical Manufacturing: Expanding derivative capacity can increase regional ethylene demand.

Potential risks include:

• Feedstock Price Volatility: Sharp movements in naphtha, ethane, or other inputs could alter cracker economics.
• Cracker Overcapacity: High operating rates and excess supply could place downward pressure on prices.
• Weak Polymer Demand: A slowdown in packaging, automotive, construction, or consumer goods production could reduce ethylene consumption.
• Production Disruptions: Unplanned cracker shutdowns could rapidly tighten regional availability.

Overall, ethylene prices are expected to remain stable with periodic regional volatility over the next 12 months. Feedstock economics and downstream polyethylene demand will remain the primary market indicators, while regional supply balances are likely to continue producing significant price differences.

FAQs About Ethylene Prices Insights & Market Analysis

What does the Ethylene Price Index indicate in July 2026?

The Ethylene Price Index indicates a mixed regional market, with Northeast Asia increasing 3.5% while Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America declined. Europe retained the highest price at USD 1.17/KG.

How does the Ethylene Price Chart help procurement managers?

The Ethylene Price Chart helps procurement managers monitor regional price movements, evaluate supply-demand conditions, compare sourcing economics, and optimize inventory and contract purchasing decisions.

What is the ethylene price forecast for the next 12 months?

Ethylene prices are expected to remain stable with regional volatility, influenced by feedstock costs, cracker operating rates, polyethylene demand, derivative consumption, and potential production disruptions.

How IMARC Pricing Database Can Help

The latest IMARC Group study, "Ethylene Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data 2026 Edition," provides a detailed analysis of ethylene price trends and global market dynamics. The study examines regional pricing movements, historical developments, supply conditions, demand patterns, and the key factors influencing current and future market performance.

The analysis evaluates the relationship between supply and demand while examining feedstock economics, cracker utilization, downstream petrochemical consumption, logistics, trade dynamics, and regional market developments. These insights help businesses strengthen procurement planning, supplier negotiations, inventory management, budgeting, and strategic decision-making.

About Us:

IMARC Group is a global management consulting firm that provides a comprehensive suite of services to support market entry and expansion efforts. The company offers detailed market assessments, feasibility studies, regulatory approvals and licensing support, and pricing analysis, including spot pricing and regional price trends. Its expertise spans demand-supply analysis alongside regional insights covering Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. IMARC also specializes in competitive landscape evaluations, profiling key market players, and conducting research into market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. IMARC’s data-driven approach helps businesses navigate complex markets with precision and confidence.

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