Hexene in late November 2025 in the USA, continued its price increase trend supported by a balance of Supply to Demand and high Upstream Ethylene Prices. Demand was also driven by strong Buying from the Polyethylene Sector. Louisiana Hexene price increased approximately 0.78% over the past week while Texas Hexene price increased approximately 0.80%. The markets remained positive with stable purchasing from Hexene producers and no major production issues affecting the market. Ethylene prices were stable, allowing Hexene Manufacturers to maintain consistent Operating Rates. Increased demand for flexible packaging products and seasonal products resulted in continued strong demand for Hexene and planned purchases from Converters provided feedstock for flexible packaging products and seasonal products. Participants in the market continue to support the efficient management of supply via continued Vertical Integration of Major Manufacturers such as Dow and ExxonMobil. Looking ahead to December, there continues to be positive sentiment around pricing remaining Stable to Firm.
In late November 2025, the United States hexene market has sustained movement. Support has come from stable supply/demand balance throughout all regions; competitive price structures created by upstream ethylene costs, and ongoing strong demand from polyethylene manufacturing sectors, have allowed continued growth to occur within the US hexene markets. In fact, through November 28, hexene FOB. Louisiana was reported with a rise of approx. +0.78% from the previous week. It marks the continued growth of the overall upward trajectory seen within the marketplace in the 4th quarter economic period. Market participants noted continued strong market sentiment, supported by continued stable buying activity from derivatives and no unexpected disruptions to production capabilities.
Similarly, hexene FOB Texas during the week reportedly increased approx. +0.80% from the prior week (ending November 21) as well, although increase was relatively small in size when compared to other hexene markets in the US. Historically, this consistent continuation of weekly increases supports growing trust amongst suppliers and traders. Although some market observers commented that pricing actions of these markets appeared to support a slow tightening of fundamentals as opposed to being driven by reactive response to any immediate supply-related issues.
Hexene production has been supported by a stable cost environment with respect to upstream ethylene markets. The quality of hexene feedstock available to U.S. Gulf Coast crackers has been abundant, and there were no reported outages during the given period. The stable nature of ethylene allowed manufacturers producing hexene to continue to operate at predictable production levels.
The production rates of both LLDPE and LDPE remained unchanged and contributed to the demand for hexene as an important comonomer. As the demand from customers in the film and packaging industries continued to grow, especially as the end of the year approached, many polyethylene producers were focused on supplying adequate amounts of hexene for use in the manufacture of their products.
In addition to the increase in film and packaging materials, many of these producers were also seeing an increase in the number of orders received from customers in the food packaging, household goods, and agricultural supply chain segments. Therefore, as many downstream convertors worked to secure adequate feedstocks for the manufacture of flexible films, protective packaging, and seasonal consumer-oriented products, the need for hexene continued to be strong.
Vertical integration is having a significant impact on hexene supply. Well-established players in the alpha-olefin industry, such as Dow, ExxonMobil, and others, have become highly integrated vertically. This vertical integration means that these companies have the capability to control all aspects of production, including the sourcing of the raw material ("monomers") through to the product (i.e., polyethylene). Such control over production allows for an effective allocation of production capacity according to market demand.
In December, the hexene market seems to be somewhat optimistic. There is no significant supply shortages expected which, combined with stable downstream demand, will support prices moving higher. Hexene producers and sellers are generally expecting prices to remain stable or continue to rise barring any major interruptions in polyethylene demand or unforeseen increases in upstream ethylene costs.
