Global Polycarbonate Prices Decline Due to Weak Downstream Demand

Polycarbonate prices have continued their downward trend globally during the week ending on November 18, 2022, owing to the bleak demand from downstream industries.

According to the data, the price of Polycarbonate plunged by around 2.5% in the Chinese domestic market. The petrochemical industry chain continues to be impacted by the global macroeconomic high inflation rate. In November 2022, the price of feedstock Bisphenol A continued to fall in the domestic market. In China, Orders are scattered, and the demand from the downstream industries is weak. In the Chinese market, buyers lack enthusiasm and have a wait-and-see attitude. The cost of Polycarbonate hovered around USD 2630/MT on a CFR Shanghai in the previous week.

In addition, the material's feasibility helped push down the price of Polycarbonate in the European market. The main reason for the price drop is a steady supply of the product from traders and sufficient availability in the regional market. Downstream automotive and other key driving sectors have tiny demand due to weak consumer sentiment in the Eurozone. As a result, the price of Polycarbonate settled at USD 4630/MT on an FD Hamburg basis during the week ending November 18, 2022.

At the same time, the United States market saw a decline in the price of Polycarbonate because of the sufficient stockpiling of the product. The current price trend of Polycarbonate has been supported by a sharp drop in upstream crude oil prices as a result of weak trading dynamics and low demand. The downward price trend is also exacerbated by sluggish import demand. The cost of Polycarbonate on a DDP US Gulf fluctuated around USD 4000/MT, which occurred on November 18, 2022.

According to the Analyst, the price of Polycarbonate may continue to fall in the coming weeks. The global cost of Polycarbonate will be affected by the uncertainty in the global economy, which may result in weak demand from downstream industries.