News Plastech
How can Europe ensure a level playing field in the global plastics market? That question was at the heart of the latest Plastics Industry Meeting, held on 18 May 2026 at Targi Kielce on the eve of Plastpol, with more than 100 representatives of industry, public administration, industrial organisations, recyclers, processing companies and market experts in attendance.
In the first week of January 2026, market participants gradually returned to activity after the long Christmas and New Year break. The period was marked by waiting for the first price offers and by analysis of the current market situation.
Several converters have confirmed that they will maintain production on 29–30 December, as they have orders for finished products. As a result, trading companies will be able to continue selling and looking for customers this week, if they deem it appropriate.
In line with earlier ChemCourier forecasts, the December ethylene contract price in Europe remained unchanged. In the first weeks of the month, HDPE suppliers will attempt price increases in an effort to improve margins before year-end.
The propylene price fell by EUR 25/t in November. After a slow first week, the polypropylene market in Poland stabilised towards the end of the second week of the month.
In the final weeks of October, several incidents at Central European petrochemical producers could tighten polyethylene supply in the region.
By the end of the current month, polypropylene prices are expected to remain stable with a marginal decline. Although increased activity is observed among converters, particularly in PP homopolymer, this is not a broad-based trend.
Although the October ethylene price was unchanged, HDPE, LLDPE and LDPE prices are expected to fall next week. Weak market conditions and persistently low converter activity are the drivers.
The situation on the Polish polypropylene market remains stable but difficult. Low demand and the presence of cheap imported material are limiting the ability of producers and trading companies to maintain polypropylene prices.
The first days of September brought a development that many market players did not anticipate. Instead of stability or slight increases, the market continued to feel the effects of the summer slowdown.
The issues faced by European polypropylene producers may lead to a slight increase in prices in Poland in the last week of August - early September.
At the start of August 2025, as expected, producers rolled over last month’s prices, but by the middle of the first week they began offering small discounts.
In August, the contract price of propylene is expected to fall, which will automatically translate into lower polypropylene prices
The second week of July was a period of low activity on the Polish polyethylene market, especially on the part of converters. Many producers and traders do not anticipate any significant changes in the coming days.
The contract price of propylene is expected to rise in July. However, unlike the polyethylene market, European polypropylene producers will have limited opportunities to raise prices due to continued low demand and the availability of cheaper imports.
The expected increase in demand in mid-June did not materialise, at least not to the extent predicted by producers and traders. Converters traditionally have been referring from purchasing materials for stock.
In the last week of May, the price of propylene for June was announced, remaining unchanged compared to May. A slight increase in demand for polypropylene is forecasted for June, as for many converters it will be a month preceding planned shutdowns or holidays.
In Poland, participants in the polyethylene market hope for a demand recovery in the second week of the month after a weak start in May. Producers of finished goods were hoping for a decrease in material costs, which prompted them to take active steps in the first working week of the month.
The polypropylene market in Poland has been showing signs of poor activity for an extended period. Market participants point to a decline in orders for finished products, stagnation in the automotive industry in Europe, as well as overall economic slowdown.
Recently, there has been some turmoil in the market, caused by actions taken by the White House administration and reactions from China and the European Union. Market participants closely followed the changing situation regarding tariffs.
Propylene contract price is expected to decline in April. Many traders do not see positive prospects for the polypropylene market in the coming months.
The demand for polyethylene decreased in March. Converters, observing the decline in crude oil prices, expect polymer prices to drop in April and are taking a wait-and-see approach.
Low demand for polypropylene hindered price large increases despite producers’ efforts to improve margins. Throughout February, traders hoped for a market revival at the beginning of March, when the construction and agricultural sectors are traditionally more active.
Market participants assessed that the polyethylene demand will slow down by the end of the month. The announced order stoppages for this material as well as production overhauls further limited the number of transactions.
Prices in the polyolefin market in Poland in 2024 changed due to various factors, such as: the level of demand from converters, the availability and quantity of imported material, the price of oil, the impact of the overall European economy, as well as the geopolitical situation worldwide.
After increased activity in mid-January, the PP market calmed down and by the end of the month prices remained stable. In H2 January, converters started to inquire materials for February delivery.
During the first working week of the new year, following a long holiday break, the market remained relatively slow. By midweek, there was still a lack of clarity regarding pricing policies from producers.
Most players expect the market to recover only in mid-January or early February, following the holiday season and the associated downtime.
Given market players' expectations of a rise in material costs in September and the end of production downtime for most converters, demand is likely to increase next week.
Market players expect an increase in demand after the long weekend in Poland. Many producers will return from the summer shutdown next week. Processors will want to replenish their stocks of raw material ahead of a projected price increase in September.
The tense political situation in various parts of the world may affect the plastics market in Poland. A Hungarian PE producer, for example, will face the issue of oil supply diversion.
Judging by the first market offers, the price in August will increase by €30-60/t; however, whether the market will accept the increase will be known by the end of next week.
European PE producers plan to increase prices next month in line with rising ethylene rates. According to Chem-Courier forecasts, the value of ethylene is expected to advance by €20-25/t in August.
European producers of LLDPE and LDPE plan to increase prices next month in line with the rise in ethylene costs.
As forecasted by Chem-Courier, due to shortages of certain materials in the market, their prices have increased. However, if there are further increases, it will be by another 10-20 euros.
Market participants anticipate another price increase in the second half of the month. Such assumptions are based on the progressive reduction in the availability of polyethylene, both European and imported.