The BOPET prices in Germany declined during May 2025 despite logistical challenges like port congestion and extended delivery delays. This decline was attributed to the ongoing drop in feedstock PET costs, which provided manufacturers with cost relief. The downstream packaging and polyester industries continued low demand along with a sharp decline in consumer confidence associated with tariff uncertainties.

Key Takeaways:

• As a result of decreased production costs, BOPET prices fell in Germany in May 2025.
• There was low appetite in buying, and market activity in Europe stayed muted.
• The need for BOPET was not increased even by switching from downstream virgin PET to r-PET.

BOPET prices in Germany are anticipated to recover prior to the start of the third quarter of 2025 due to increased procurement activity from the soft drink and bottled water industries during the summer peak, according to ChemAnalyst. Furthermore, the use of BOPET as a raw material for downstream applications may increase during the summer.

According to the most recent data, decreasing manufacturing costs caused a 1% drop in BOPET prices in Germany in May 2025. According to the data, feedstock PET prices in Germany had a notable decline of 7.14%. The significant availability of BOPET for both the domestic and international markets was a result of the ongoing decline in feedstock PET prices.

Meanwhile, supply chains have become much more constrained in May due to widespread and severe congestion in North European ports, especially in Germany. Vessel lines that last seven to ten days are a problem for major ports like Antwerp, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven. Hamburg experienced extreme bottlenecks, although Wilhelmshaven and Bremerhaven have demonstrated comparatively higher throughput.

Despite this, sufficient inventory levels prevented any restrictions on the supply of BOPET. An excess in inventories resulted from this abundant supply being further reinforced by reduced supply pressures and uncompetitive export demand.

Throughout this month, there was low demand for BOPET in Europe as consumers preferred to make small purchases following the Easter break. Germany's export-dependent economy was forced into a deeper recession for the third year in a row due to ongoing trade restrictions.

Furthermore, purchasers were mostly making cautious, limited purchases, and demand from the downstream packaging industry remained weak. Indicating ongoing difficulties from downstream converters, expectations of a seasonal uptick in demand before the peak cycle did not come to pass.

However, many consumers have stated that they prefer recycled PET (R-PET) to virgin PET. The total demand from the downstream packaging sector remained low, and European purchasers were unable to grab their interest in BOPET despite this change in demand dynamics.