This week, LDPE spot prices climbed in the European region.
An industry source in Europe informed a Polymerupdate team member, "The LDPE market in Europe continued to grapple with a tight supply situation stemming from currently reduced output levels and limited imports. Even though the ethylene contract price registered a decline towards early this month, prices have held firm on the back of tight LDPE grade supplies which has offset the potential pricing impact of low-cost feedstock."
The source added, "Trading activity has not picked up significantly with most players yet to return from their summer break. A few converters were seen adopting a wait-and-watch approach while tracking the potential response of the market to the decline in upstream ethylene prices. Meanwhile, elevated freight costs from Asia and declining material supplies from the US reduced imports into Europe."
In the spot markets, LDPE prices were assessed at the Euro 1285-1295/mt FD Northwest Europe mark, a week on week rise of Euro (+20/mt).
In the contract markets, General Purpose LDPE grade prices were assessed at the Euro 1830-1835/mt FD NWE Germany and FD NWE Italy levels, both flat from last week. LDPE General Purpose grade prices were assessed at the Euro 1830-1835/mt FD NWE France levels, unchanged from the previous week. Meanwhile, LDPE grade prices were assessed at the GBP 1540-1545/mt FD NWE UK levels, steady week on week.
FCA Antwerp LDPE General Purpose film prices were assessed at the Euro 1270-1290/mt levels, up Euro (+20/mt) from last week.
Ethylene spot prices on Thursday were assessed at the Euro 920-930/mt FD North West Europe levels, a gain of Euro (+20/mt) from the previous week.
European ethylene feedstock contract price for September 2024 settled at the Euro 1215/MT FD North West Europe levels. This price represents a decline of Euro (-25/mt) from its August 2024 settlement levels.
