This week, polypropylene prices in Europe came under sustained pressure across both spot and contract assessments, with declines visible across homopolymer, and copolymer grades in key markets including Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Antwerp. Meanwhile, weak demand fundamentals, ample availability, and softer upstream sentiment weighed on negotiations heading into the summer period.
An industry source in Europe, on condition of anonymity, informed a Polymerupdate team member, "Market fundamentals continue to favor buyers as supply exceeds demand. Most converters are holding healthy inventory levels following strong purchases in March and April and are reluctant to take fresh positions ahead of the summer lull. With limited cargo demand, suppliers are competing aggressively for business, and offers from both domestic producers and import origins are weighing on the market. In contract negotiations, converters have been pushing for triple-digit decreases from May, exceeding the decline in the June propylene contract price and further squeezing producer margins.”
In Europe, PP homopolymer grade prices on a spot FD NWE basis were assessed at Euro 1475-1485/mt levels, softening, Euro (-15/mt) week on week. PP block copolymer grade prices on a spot FD NWE basis were assessed at Euro 1575-1585/mt levels, easing, Euro (-20/mt) week on week.
In the contract market, PP injection grade prices on an FD NWE France basis were assessed at Euro 2300-2305/mt levels, declining, Euro (-50/mt) week on week. PP injection grade prices on an FD NWE Germany basis were also assessed at Euro 2300-2305/mt levels, moving lower, Euro (-50/mt) week on week. PP injection grade prices on an FD NWE Italy basis were assessed at Euro 2290-2295/mt levels, slipping, Euro (-50/mt) week on week. PP injection grade prices on an FD NWE UK basis were assessed at GBP 1990-1995/mt levels, edging lower, GBP (-35/mt) week on week.
PP block copolymer grade contract prices on an FD NWE France basis were assessed at Euro 2380-2385/mt levels, easing, Euro (-50/mt) week on week. PP block copolymer grade prices on an FD NWE Germany basis were also assessed at Euro 2380-2385/mt levels, declining, Euro (-50/mt) week on week. PP block copolymer grade prices on an FD NWE Italy basis were assessed at Euro 2370-2375/mt levels, moving lower, Euro (-50/mt) week on week. PP block copolymer grade prices on an FD NWE UK basis were assessed at GBP 2060-2065/mt levels, softening, GBP (-35/mt) week on week.
In the FCA Antwerp market, PP homopolymer grade prices were assessed at Euro 1460-1490/mt levels, easing, Euro (-15/mt) week on week. PP copolymer grade prices on an FCA Antwerp basis were assessed at Euro 1560-1590/mt levels, slipping, Euro (-20/mt) week on week.
Feedstock propylene values in the Northwest European region were assessed lower during the week, which may have contributed to the softer tone in downstream PP assessments. Propylene on a CIF NWE basis was assessed at Euro 935-945/mt, moving lower, Euro (-220/mt) week on week. Propylene on an FD NWE basis was assessed at Euro 1000-1010/mt, easing, Euro (-155/mt) week on week.
The broader pricing weakness also reflected cautious sentiment linked to falling upstream values amid market anticipation of a potential US–Iran peace agreement, which further weighed on sentiment alongside demand-side softness. With selling pressure elevated and buyers comfortably covered, downward pressure dominated negotiations throughout the week.
This news synopsis and insights are generated using Polymerupdate’s advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, leveraging proprietary data, pricing benchmarks, and domain expertise. The content is intended for informational purposes only and does not represent the official views of Polymerupdate. Users are advised to conduct their own independent research before making any commercial or business decisions.
