UK HDPE Prices Rise Early in December Before Settling into Sideways Trend

UK HDPE Prices Rise Early in December Before Settling into Sideways Trend

Mark Twain 29-Dec-2025

December 2025 UK HDPE (High density Polyethylene) Prices has been neutral to slightly bullish, closing prices of Injection FD West Yorkshire increased 1.40% in the first week, rose further by 0.92% in the second week (extending a 12-week uptrend) and held flat in the third week. Buyers who depend on imports (62% of the national demand) were hearing consistent voices from Northwest Europe, US Gulf and Middle East, with the support from stronger GBP/USD rate against depreciation pressure on landed cost. Strong demand from packaging segment further tightened prompt availability, and high utilities/feedstock costs motivated margins chase. Offsetting factors were ample distributor inventories and softened neighboring country demand, retarding increases. Domestic supply for one third needs of recycled content trials due to sustainability regulations but also some quality challenges from INEOS Grangemouth. Equilibrium was maintained by firm fundamentals on both sides and steady imports, with nothing major to disturb. A week of cold air mass with high pressure promoting settled conditions to start next week in the UK, but with a risk of wintry showers, snow, ice and gales toward the New Year (thus certainly some disruption of shipments probable).

UK demand for HDPE made an incline at xst half of December xxxx and stable on xrd week. HDPE demand was firmly back by blow-moulded dairy/household-cleanser bottles and festive retail promotions, although construction conduit/pressure-pipe projects took a temporary breather and e-commerce maintained pallet-wrap demand. Sustainability regulations (Plastic Packaging Tax for sub-xxx recycled) incentivized use of higher recycled blends, but substitution from virgin HDPE was limited due to consistency issues. Export of HDPE procurement was hand-to-mouth in the presence of sufficient stocks and year-end caution. The supply remained tight despite INEOS Grangemouth running to full capacity (national coverage x/x) though naphtha-cracker margins weakened on the back of North Sea naphtha and winter gas supply. HDPE Imports from US Gulf, Middle East, Belgium/Netherlands arrived seamlessly as post-Brexit systems are established and minimal freight shift (Houston-Felixstowe). European HDPE distributor stocks were restful, dampening uncertain restocking activity.

Strong HDPE demand for...

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