Asian ethylene prices journey southward due to weak downstream demand

Last week, ethylene prices trended lower in the Asian region.

An industry source in Asia informed a Polymerupdate team member, “Ethylene prices in Asia declined as cautious buying sentiment and weak downstream demand outweighed supply tightness. Despite producers maintaining firm offers due to limited availability, buyers resisted higher price levels, citing poor margins in derivatives such as polyethylene and glycols. This created a gap between bids and offers, resulting in muted trading activity. With limited buying interest and transactions occurring at lower levels, prices came under pressure and moved downward.”

CFR South East Asia ethylene prices were assessed at USD 1475-1485/mt levels, lower by USD (-20/mt) from the previous week.

CFR North East Asia ethylene prices were assessed at USD 1425–1435/mt levels, a week-on-week drop of USD (-20/mt).

FOB Korea ethylene prices were assessed at USD 1375–1385/mt levels while FOB Japan ethylene prices were assessed at USD 1370-1380/mt levels, both plunged by USD (-60/mt) from the previous week.