Polyalphaolefin (PAO) prices in the USA remained unchanged in early February 2026, with no week-on-week movement and a muted tone. The steady start followed a modest January decline of about 0.48%, underscoring range-bound trading and balanced fundamentals. Early January saw PAO 8cSt grades hold firm amid balanced supply and demand and stable input costs, while mid-to-late January remained largely sideways as procurement stayed cautious. Downstream demand patterns contributed to the subdued momentum, with automotive and industrial lubricants, metalworking fluids, aerospace, and other high-performance greases showing steady, not aggressive, restocking. Analysts note that normal operating rates across the value chain supported consistent offtake, keeping demand outcomes stable. On the supply side, PAO production operated largely without interruption, maintaining balanced supply-demand and limiting price pressure. Two short force majeure outages in Texas—at Ineos Oligomers La Porte and ExxonMobil Baytown—drew attention but left headline prices unchanged.
