- Market Overview
- Strategic Analysis
- Key Features
Market Overview
Duration: Short-term – 2-year price forecast and market outlook
2025 proved to be a difficult year for producers, marking the fourth consecutive year in which commodity margins remained in negative territory. Conditions are expected to worsen in 2026 as substantial new capacity continues to enter the market, placing additional downward pressure on already depressed prices. Demand growth is unlikely to recover meaningfully given persistent macroeconomic headwinds, with polyolefins, widely used in consumer products, particularly vulnerable. Any slowdown in consumer spending is expected to translate directly into weaker demand for these materials.
Industry rationalization is anticipated to accelerate, with high-cost assets, especially those lacking integration or advantaged feedstock positions, facing heightened risk of closure. Producers are expected to refine product strategies, pursue greater operational efficiency, and explore lower-cost feedstock alternatives to alleviate sustained margin pressure. However, attracting new capital investment in the current environment will remain a substantial challenge, as investors prioritize resilience, integration, and demonstrated cost competitiveness within the global polyolefins value chain.
Comprehensive monthly market price, supply, demand, and trade data and analysis for:
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Strategic Analysis
Duration: Short-term – 2-year price forecast and market outlook
The Asia Polyethylene Report provides comprehensive coverage of commodity polyethylenes (High Density, Linear Low Density, and Low Density) in mainland China, Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East, with short summaries on the West European and North American markets. The report provides a detailed analysis of the supply and demand fundamentals impacting prices, margins, and trade. Understanding the dynamics of the global market is essential as these polymers can be shipped easily across the globe. Clients are provided weekly updates, and monthly supplement reports including mLLDPE reports, plant operating schedules, trade, supply and demand and economics reports, focus pieces, and global webinars. Clients are also encouraged to have regular dialogues with their regional experts. Understanding both short-term and long-term price forecasts is critical to successful budget planning. Let our market experts help plan for the unexpected through regular interactions.
Key Features
Duration: Short-term – 2-year price forecast and market outlook
PRICES COVERED
Contract and spot price summary with a brief review of current market conditions
Chemicals covered : High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
WEEKLY MARKET SNAPSHOT
This document encompasses an analysis of weekly data on PE in Asia (including mainland China), the Middle East, and India. It delves into notable changes in pricing, market trading ranges, supply/demand dynamics, and import/export activities. Additionally, a short-term projection of polymer prices is provided, considering imminent market influences such as supply/demand fluctuations, feedstock conditions, market momentum, and other factors affecting prices. Furthermore, a brief overview of North America and West Europe will be incorporated.
MONTHLY DATA SUPPLEMENT
There are three different supplement reports - Economics, Trade and Quarterly Supply and Demand, which provides comprehensive insights into price dynamics, profit margins, trade considerations, and operational challenges affecting the industry. It discusses the current supply and demand conditions for resin and end-use markets, analyzes purchasing trends, forecasts changes in polymer and end-use product inventory, and assesses events that may impact future markets.
There is a monthly supplement for metallocene LLDPE and Outage Schedule for PE in Asia, Middle East and India. The mLLDPE report gives insights including prices, supply/demand and a short-term outlook of the mLLDPE market. The plant operating schedule gives an outlook of the upcoming supply situation in the market.
MARKET FOCUS REPORT
This report provides deeper research into critical and emerging challenges facing the global plastics industry. Previous areas of analysis have explored recycling markets, trade disputes, weather-related disruptions, and other key industry issues that continue to influence supply–demand dynamics, competitiveness, and overall market performance.
ACCESS TO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS
Clients receive direct, one-on-one access to industry experts through phone consultations, email support, or scheduled meetings to discuss the key insights featured in the monthly market report. This personalized advisory service enables subscribers to deepen their understanding of market fundamentals, price drivers, and supply–demand dynamics, while clarifying complex data points and analysis. It also provides tailored perspectives on region-specific market trends, empowering clients to make more informed, strategic decisions across the global petrochemical value chain.
WEBINARS
Client webinars provide in-depth intelligence on critical chemical market developments, offering timely insights into global economic trends, supply–demand dynamics, trade flows, and other key factors shaping the petrochemical and energy value chain. Each session features expert analysis from industry specialists and delivers actionable perspectives on current market movements. These interactive webinars also enable clients to engage directly with our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) through live Q&A sessions, supporting clearer understanding, stronger strategic planning, and more informed decision-making across the chemical industry.