Prices for Ethylene Acrylic Acid (EAA) Copolymer decreased in November 2025 globally and were flat in the United States because of oversupply in ethylene and weak demand for products made from EAA. EAA has an important function as an ingredient in flexible packaging, coatings, and adhesives, but the supply of raw material had a stronger impact than the need for products. US pricing for ethylene was at record lows for multiple years and the resulting low margin that resulted from weak prices also added downward pressure on EAA. North American manufacturers were able to profit from having lower-cost ethane feedstock in comparison to other regions (European and Asia) and would continue to do so. LyondellBasell announced future for changing production levels in Europe and Asia, but overall, the market had a cautionary attitude regarding the short-term outlook. Demand for consumer-packaged goods remained stable, however, the weakness in the housing industry combined with reduced prices for builders maintained a bearish note and provided stability at lower price points for EAA.
EAA Copolymers began moving towards stable and lower price points in the US and international markets in November 2025. This movement was driven by a balancing act caused by an oversupplied market and sluggish demand in downstream industries.
EAA Copolymers have a significant role in flexible packaging, coatings, adhesives, and specialty products. Their advantage originates from combining the elasticity and resistivity of ethylene with adhesion, polarity, and heat-sealing properties of acrylic acid. It made EAA a critical product in laminated tubes, pouch packaging for condiments, aseptic packaging, and industrial coatings. However, for EAA Copolymers in November, price changes were more influenced by raw materials than demand.
Ethylene market surplus caused EAA prices to remain low. US spot prices for ethylene fell near multi-year lows. It was noted that margins for the chain of production from ethylene to polyethylene still had some room to fall, thus promoting a bearish market. Due to ample availability of ethane feedstock in North America, US producers enjoyed very competitive costs, impacting EAA prices.
During third-quarter earnings, LyondellBasell pointed out that capacity shutdowns for ethylene in Europe and Asia should mitigate China’s large capacity growths by 2028. However, short-term market conditions were hampered due to oversupply. The firm's Olefins and Polyolefins Americas segment posted an increase in profitability due to lower costs for ethylene and fewer shutdowns at its Channelview facility. But market sentiment remained conservative, as a sluggish market for ethylene reflected itself in a weaker EAA market.
EAA on the demand side remained strong within the market for consumer packaging, but there was an air of caution introduced with November. Several producers within North America introduced price increases that were met with skepticism. Overall, there were forecasts about additional expenditure on infrastructure and a drop in inflation rates as factors influencing demand for hard goods on a global stage.
The US housing market reflected low builder confidence, with the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index at 38 in November. Because of uncertainties and rising costs due to tariffs and prices, buyers were hesitant. Demand for packaging and EAA related to construction remained low. The result indicated that 41% of builders reduced prices in November, and it marked a record high since Covid.
As per ChemAnalyst, November 2025 witnessed a scenario of EAA price cuts. Oversupply in Ethylene, cautious downstream buying, and weaker macro factors created a setting. Although fundamental factors pertaining to infrastructure and packaging consumption are supportive, immediate market conditions forecast stability at reduced EAA price points.
