MEG Markets Split Sharply in H1 January 2026: US Up 8.82%, Europe Down 2.27%, China Off 0.96%

In the US market Prices of MEG climbed significantly, gaining *.*** in January H*. This positive trend was essentially attributed to the tight supply conditions and cost support from feedstock and upstream market. Mounting geopolitical strain – US-Venezuela, growing tensions with Greenland, and US plans on Iran - were shaping the crude market, indicative for downstream value chain prices including MEG. According to the EIA report, WTI Crude oil price rose by *.*** to USD **.*/barrel on January **, ****, from USD **.**/barrel on January *, ****.

The price rally was also exacerbated by disrupted domestic MEG supply. Point Comfort, Texas-based Nan Ya Plastics Corporation was down for maintenance in the first half of January, further tightening local MEG supplies. In addition, major feedstock Ethylene Oxide increased *.*** during the period driven by global crude oil price trends. On the demand side, the domestic MEG consumption from the...