European Ethyl Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer Prices Drop in June Post TotalEnergies' Gonfreville Plant Resumption

European Ethyl Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer Prices Drop in June Post TotalEnergies' Gonfreville Plant Resumption

Patricia Jose Perez 15-Jul-2025

EVOH prices in Belgium throughout June 2025 declined due to reduced production costs, a well-supplied market bolstered by plant restarts, and persistently weak demand across key end-use sectors, exacerbated by seasonal slowdowns and public holidays. The absence of urgent procurement, coupled with buyers' ability to push for lower prices in contract negotiations, painted a clear picture of a market heavily favoring buyers, with little immediate prospect for a significant price rebound.

Ethyl Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH) prices in Belgium continued to fall in June 2025, during which the European EVOH market saw a marked slowdown in activity. This was due to a combination of supply-side excess and ongoing demand-side weakness.

A noticeable drop in local production costs for EVOH producers was a major factor in this 1.8% price erosion in June 2025. Lower prices for feedstock Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), a vital raw material in the production of EVOH, were primarily responsible for this decrease. Producers can reduce their selling prices for EVOH when the cost of essential supplies like EVA declines because it lessens their financial burden.

An oversupplied market contributed significantly to the downward pressure on prices. June saw a steady supply of EVOH, largely due to the effective resumption of feedstock EVA operations at strategic plants in the area. In particular, the June restart of production at Versalis' Dunkirk facilities and TotalEnergies' Gonfreville plant added significant quantities to the supply chain.

According to South Korean Trade Statistics, Belgium EVOH exports rose by 8% from April 2025 (25 MT) to May 2025 (27 MT), indicating ample inventory levels for June.

Furthermore, as Europe gradually entered its yearly summer holiday, the general trading environment in the spot market remained extremely constrained. Traditionally, this time frame was marked by a decline in industrial activity, especially in industries that usually have planned maintenance shutdowns or lower consumer demand because of holidays.

The majority of transactions during this time were reportedly occurring under pre-existing contractual agreements, with quarterly contracts notably demonstrating a "bearish" sentiment. This indicates that even in long-term commitments, buyers were able to negotiate for lower prices, signaling a widespread expectation of continued market softness.

Market activity was further subdued by the incidence of various public holidays across European nations in June. Such holidays typically lead to temporary closures of businesses, reduced workforce availability, and a general slowdown in order placement and logistics, collectively dampening overall commercial momentum for chemical products like EVOH.

On the demand front, consumption continued to be weak, particularly from the vital packaging and automotive sectors. EVOH's high-barrier properties make it indispensable in multi-layer packaging for food and beverages, extending shelf life, and in automotive applications for fuel tanks or other components requiring chemical resistance. The sluggishness in these key end-use industries directly translated into reduced orders for EVOH.

As per ChemAnalyst, EVOH prices in Belgium are anticipated to decline further in July 2025 as lower consumer sentiments are expected due to the removal of tariff halts post 9th July.

Subscribe Today

Track Prices of 600+ Chemicals

Subscribe to our newsletter

Download the app

ChemAnalyst professional app QR code

We use cookies to deliver the best possible experience on our website. To learn more, visit our Privacy Policy. By continuing to use this site or by closing this box, you consent to our use of cookies. More info.