This week, LLDPE prices edged higher in the European region.
An industry source in Europe informed a Polymerupdate team member, "The withdrawal of low-cost import offers from the market caused LLDPE prices to rise in Europe. Restocking activities have buoyed purchase appetite over the past week. While restocking boosted demand temporarily, general market conditions have remained weak. Inflationary pressures continued to weigh on end-user industries like construction and packaging. Although demand from industrial sectors remained muted, a source from the agricultural film industry reported somewhat better seasonal demand."
The source added, "Due to persistent domestic production issues, such as plant outages and lower operating rates, the supply of LLDPE became even more constrained during the week. The availability of HDPE also decreased as fewer imports reached Europe. An anticipated increase in the feedstock ethylene contract price, linked to a steady rise in upstream naphtha prices through January, has prompted a shift in the market's attention to February.”
In the spot markets, LLDPE prices were assessed at the Euro 1095-1105/mt FD Northwest Europe levels, a rise of Euro (+10/mt) week on week.
In the contract markets, LLDPE grade prices were assessed at the Euro 1610-1615/mt FD NWE Germany and FD NWE France levels, both rising by Euro (+5/mt) from the previous week. LLDPE grade prices were assessed at the Euro 1610-1615/mt FD NWE Italy levels, week on week up Euro (+5/mt). Meanwhile, LLDPE grade prices were assessed at the GBP 1360-1365/mt FD NWE UK levels, a gain of GBP (+10/mt) from last week.
FCA Antwerp LLDPE film prices were assessed at the Euro 1080-1110/mt levels, week on week higher by Euro (+10/mt).
Ethylene spot prices on Thursday were assessed at the Euro 890-900/mt FD North West Europe levels, a sharp increase of Euro (+40/mt) from last week.
European ethylene contract price for January 2025 settled at the Euro 1205/MT FD North West Europe levels. This price represents a rollover from its December 2024 settlement levels.
