China rPET Prices Hold Steady Despite vPET Volatility: Sources
China’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET bale and flake prices have stayed unchanged for a third consecutive week, with market sources reporting a relatively calm market despite continued volatility in virgin PET or vPET prices. Read More
Asia rPET Stable as Rising vPET Prices Lift Sentiments Despite Weak Demand: Sources
Asia’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET market remained largely stable this week, with buying interest continuing to be restrained by weak downstream demand. However, recent increases in virgin PET or vPET prices could provide support to recycled resin values after two weeks of price declines, according to market sources. Read More
China’s rPET Prices Stable as Higher vPET Supports Market Sentiment: Sources
China’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET bale and flake prices have stayed unchanged this week, as steady downstream demand and rising virgin PET or vPET prices have helped stabilize market sentiment, according to market sources. Read More
China Emerges as SM Swing Supplier Amid Mideast Crisis
The recent conflict in the Middle East has fundamentally altered the global styrene monomer trade, accelerating China’s emergence as the region’s dominant swing supplier while exposing the petrochemical industry’s dependence on Gulf feedstock and exports. Read More
Asia’s rPET Demand Subdued Despite Lower Prices: Sources
Demand for recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET in Asia remains muted this week despite prices falling for a second consecutive week, as buyers in countries without mandatory recycled content requirements continue to favor cheaper virgin material. Read More
China’s rPET Prices Firm Despite Volatile vPET Market: Sources
China’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET bale and flake prices rose this week, despite volatility in the virgin PET or vPET market, where prices initially increased before retreating at the start of the week, market sources said. Read More
Polyurethanes Market Under Geopolitical Strain
The first quarter of 2026 put the global polyurethanes (PU) value chain under significant strain, as geopolitical disruption added to existing oversupply and margin pressure. Read More
Malaysia, Indonesia rPET Sales Slowed by Higher Freight Costs: Sources
Malaysia’s and Indonesia’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET sellers are facing weaker overseas demand as rising freight costs reduce the competitiveness of recycled material in international markets, according to market sources. Read More
EU Recycled Plastic Market Battled Weak Demand, Low-Cost Virgin Prices in June
The European recycled plastics spot market remained largely subdued in June this year, with limited trading activity, while pricing continued to echo movements in virgin polymer markets, according to sources. Read More
China rPET Prices Fall Further as Lower Virgin PET Weighs on Demand: Sources
China’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET flakes and PET bale prices declined further this week, as weaker virgin PET or vPET prices and slow downstream demand continued to pressure the recycled market, market sources said. Read More
China’s Bale Prices Fall on Improved Supply, Lower Virgin PET Prices: Sources
China’s polyethylene terephthalate or PET bale prices declined this week on improved bottle collection, weaker demand for recycled materials reducing feedstock prices, and falling virgin PET or vPET prices, market participants said. Read More
Unpacking the EU Plastics Tax
Introduced as part of the 2021–27 EU budget, the EU plastics levy requires member states to contribute to the EU budget at a rate of €0.80/kg of non-recycled plastic packaging waste. Read More
China’s rPET Prices Stable as vPET Falls on US-Iran Deal: Sources
China’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate bale and flake prices have been largely stable this week, even as virgin PET prices declined following news of the U.S.-Iran agreement, market participants said. Read More
China’s PET Bale Prices Extend Decline on Improved Bottle Supply: Sources
China’s polyethylene terephthalate or PET bale prices declined for a second consecutive week, while flake prices remained stable, as improved bottle collection rates continued to increase feedstock availability during the summer season, according to market sources. Read More
Demand Erosion, Softer Pricing Loomed Over Europe Recycled Plastics in May
Spot recycled plastic purchasing in the European market slowed through May, following a period of panic buying in April that subsequently took the urgency out of demand, sources told OPIS. Read More
China’s PET Bale Prices Fall on Higher Bottle Collection in Summer: Sources
China’s polyethylene terephthalate or PET bale prices declined this week, while rPET flake prices remained largely stable, as higher bottle collection rates during the summer season increased feedstock availability, according to market participants. Read More
US Polyethylene Export Prices Fall Amid Slower Demand, China Competition
Following a rapid runup driven by geopolitical tensions, U.S. polyethylene export sales have slowed in May. This PetroChem Wire report breaks down how lower-priced Chinese material, regional logistics constraints, and buyer affordability fatigue are driving down FOB Houston prices. Read More
China rPET Prices Stable for Second Week on Unchanged Demand: Sources
China’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET bale and flake prices have remained stable for a second consecutive week, as firm feedstock and operating costs continue to be supported by steady downstream demand, market participants said. Read More
PRSE 2026: Waste Export Regulation Sparks Uncertainty for EU Recycled Plastics
The European Commission's Waste Shipment Regulation and its potential impact on the European recycled plastics market dominated much of the delegates' conversations in the 2026 Plastic Recycling Show Europe (PRSE) held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on May 5-6. Read More
Thailand’s Flake, Pellet Prices Stable; Bale Values Ease: Sources
Thailand’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET flake and pellet prices have remained stable for a second consecutive week, while bale prices have declined as improved collection rates increased feedstock availability, market participants said. Read More
China rPET Bale Prices Rise as Oil Volatility Lifts Costs: Sources
China’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET bale prices increased this week, supported by tighter feedstock availability and higher cost pressures linked to oil price fluctuations, according to market participants. Read More
European Imports of US-Origin Propylene in April Jump 37% on Month
European imports of propylene from the U.S. in April to date have jumped by 37% from the overall total for March, as supply tightens in the region amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to the latest Vortexa shipping data. Read More
China rPET Stable, Labeled Bale Prices Weaken for Second Week
China’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET flake and bale prices have been largely stable this week, although bale prices with labels declined due to weaker demand for lower-grade feedstock, market participants said. Read More
Middle East Conflict Winners and Losers: Polyolefins
The Middle East region suffered significant physical damages that potentially include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) plants and upstream facilities. Regional supply remains heavily curtailed due to feedstock shortages and inventory constraints, resulting in force majeure announcements and even forced some assets to shut down. Read More
Asia rPET Prices Up in Q1 on Holiday Disruptions, Mandates, Mideast Conflict
Asia’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET prices have strengthened since January, supported by seasonal supply disruptions in February and stronger compliance-driven demand in March amid rising cost pressure linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict, market sources said. Read More
China rPET Bale Prices Rise for Ninth Week on Higher vPET, Clean Bale Demand
China’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET bale prices have risen for a ninth consecutive week, supported mainly by higher virgin PET prices and firmer demand for clean bottle bales, market participants said this week. Read More
Europe’s Chemical Industry Faces Fight for Survival
The Cefic Chemical Trends Report published at the start of March underscores the perilous state of Europe's chemical industry and its fight for its survival, indicating urgent action is needed for the chemical sector to survive and support European industry as it has for much of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century. Read More
Logistical Disruptions, Sharp Price Increases Define EU Recycled Plastics
There has been a notable shift in the European recycled plastics market during March, creating new market dynamics and emerging price trends for the year ahead, after a prolonged period of subdued activity. Read More
Thailand’s rPET Prices Rise on Mideast-Linked Cost Pressures
Thailand’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET bale, flake and pellet prices have climbed this week, driven by higher virgin PET or vPET prices, tight feedstock availability and collection challenges that have constrained plant operations, market participants said. Read More
APAC, EU rPET Prices Rise as Middle East Tensions Disrupt Supply Chains
Recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET premium flakes and bale prices across the Asia Pacific and Europe are facing mounting pressure following the escalating Middle East conflict, as rising energy costs, feedstock disruptions and freight volatility reshape market dynamics across both regions. Read More
China’s Polyester Industry Faces Margin Erosion as Supply Chain Volatility Hits
The Chinese polyester industry is currently weathering a storm of margin erosion and supply chain volatility, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz choking essential petrochemical supply lines and sending feedstock costs upwards. Read More
China’s rPET Flake, Bale Prices Climb on Wider vPET Spread, Iran Conflict
China’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET bale and flake prices have increased for a fourth consecutive week, even as the spread between virgin PET and recycled material has widened following the Middle East conflict, market participants said this week. Read More
Freight, Oil Volatility Pressure Asia’s rPET Market Amid Mideast Tensions
Asia’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET market is beginning to feel the ripple effects of escalating Middle East tensions, with participants pointing to rising crude prices, freight disruptions and shifting procurement strategies as key emerging risks. Read More
Modest Supply Pressure, Restocking Define European Recycled Plastics in February
The recycled plastics market in Northwest Europe (NWE) during February has seen broadly similar conditions to January, with weak demand across key end-use sectors, particularly automotive and construction. Read More
ExxonMobil’s UK Plant Closure Stokes Ethylene Demand, Widens US-Europe Arbitrage
The sudden closure of ExxonMobil's 770,000 metric tons/year ethylene plant at Fife, Scotland, has fanned demand and widened the arbitrage between the U.S. and Europe, a trading source told OPIS this week. Read More
Southeast Asia’s rPET Prices Rally Ahead of Spring Festival
Recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET premium flakes and bale prices across Southeast Asia have strengthened sharply in the lead-up to the Spring Festival, as seasonal restocking and firm downstream packaging demand due to increased virgin PET pushed the regional market higher. Read More
Asia PX Prices Rebound on Pre-Holiday Demand Surge
Asia’s paraxylene prices have rebounded from a brief dip in early February, resuming an upward trajectory. OPIS data shows that prices averaged $894.94 per metric ton CFR China during the first three working days of the month. Although this average sits 2.3% below late-January levels, the steady gains made over the three days suggest a sustained recovery is underway, according to market sources. Read More
Restocking, Marginal Price Movement Define European Recycled Plastics in January
Throughout January, weak demand has dogged key end-users of recycled plastics in Europe, particularly the automotive and construction sectors, coupled with ample supply that sustained buyers' resistance to price increases. Read More
Dow Chemical Says it Will Begin Production at Canadian Polyethylene Expansion Project in 2029
Dow Chemical on Thursday said it expects to begin production in late 2029 from the first phase of its Path2Zero ethylene and polyethylene expansion project in Fort Saskatchewan, Canada. Read More
China’s rPET Flake, Bale Prices Rise for Second Week Running
China’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET premium flake and bale prices increased for a second consecutive week as higher virgin PET prices and pre-Spring Festival restocking lifted near-term demand, market participants said this week. Read More
Asia’s rPET Flake Prices Slide in H2 on Weak Demand, Growing Supply
Asia’s recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET flake prices continued to soften through the second half of 2025 amid weakening downstream demand and gradually improving availability of post-consumer PET bottle feedstock, industry sources said. Read More
South Korea to Add Plastic Toys to EPR Recycling Scheme from 2026
South Korea will expand its Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR recycling program to include plastic toys beginning Jan. 1, 2026, following Cabinet approval of revisions to the Resource Recycling Act Enforcement Decree, according to a news release on Tuesday. Read More
Asia rPET Prices Hit YTD Low as Bale Costs Continue Rising: Sources
Prices for recycled polyethylene terephthalate were muted across Asia last week, with pellet prices sliding to their lowest levels this year even as feedstock costs continued to climb, according to market participants. Read More
Ineos, Recycled Plastics Producers Call on EU to Safeguard Industry
The European recycled plastics industry has called on the European Union for help and support following a raft of regional closures this year, according to statements released by Ineos and Searious Business, a European circular plastics lobbying company. Read More
PET Bale and Regrind Prices Reach a Historic Low in 2025
Prices for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) across U.S. markets have declined sharply over the past year, while virgin PET values showed less dramatic movements, according to the latest Global Recycled Plastics Weekly Report from PetroChem Wire by OPIS. Read More
Recycled PET Market Demand Still Sluggish in India and China: Sources
Weak downstream demand and soft virgin polyethylene terephthalate or PET pricing continue to suppress buying interest in rPET across key Asian markets, including India and China, according to market participants. Read More
European Chemical Demand Set to Stay Flat at 2025 Levels
A slew of second quarter 2025 earnings statements from several chemical majors highlights just how parlous the European chemical industry is and how far off any significant recovery appears. Read More
China’s June Aromatics Imports Fall on Plant Restarts, Weak Demand
China’s aromatics imports significantly declined across the board in June, with reductions ranging from 0.9% to a sharp 30.8%, according to the latest customs data. This was mainly due to subdued domestic demand and a robust increase in domestic supply following the restart of several plants after their annual maintenance turnarounds, industry sources said. Read More
INEOS Faces $31 Million Penalty Despite Reducing Carbon Emissions by 75%
INEOS Acetyls has said it faces a £23 million ($31 million) penalty in withheld carbon credits despite slashing emissions by 75% at its site based in Hull, in the north of England. Read More
No Sign of Recovery for Europe Chemical Industry Amid High Energy Prices, Tax
The overall message from the recent European Petrochemical Luncheon in Munich, Germany, in mid-June suggests that demand for most sectors of the petrochemical industry remains soft and there is no real sign of any recovery until 2026. Read More