For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In USA, the Expanded Polystyrene Price Index fell by 8.75% quarter-over-quarter, driven by ample supply.
• The average Expanded Polystyrene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1435.00/MT based on reported assessments.
• Expanded Polystyrene Spot Price remained pressured by high inventories and subdued purchasing, limiting upward momentum.
• Expanded Polystyrene Production Cost Trend remained benign as styrene and benzene costs stayed subdued throughout.
• Expanded Polystyrene Demand Outlook shows moderate packaging support but autos and construction demand remain muted.
• Expanded Polystyrene Price Forecast suggests modest near-term declines followed by seasonal recovery during spring activity.
• Expanded Polystyrene Price Index remained stable as steady operating rates and imports maintained market balance.
• High distributor inventories and muted export demand compelled sellers to offer concessions, keeping negotiations subdued.
Why did the price of Expanded Polystyrene change in December 2025 in North America?
• Persistent domestic oversupply with steady plant operating rates increased availability, reducing upward price pressure materially.
• Subdued feedstock styrene and benzene costs removed cost-push support, limiting producers' ability to raise prices.
• Moderate export demand and normal port operations failed to offset domestic destocking, weak converter procurement.
APAC
• In Indonesia, the Expanded Polystyrene Price Index fell by 4.8% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting subdued post-festive procurement.
• The average Expanded Polystyrene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1141.33/MT, CFR Jakarta assessment.
• Expanded Polystyrene Spot Price remained range-bound on steady imports and freight stability, supporting neutral dynamics.
• Expanded Polystyrene Production Cost Trend showed limited pressure from stable styrene and benzene, moderating margins.
• Expanded Polystyrene Demand Outlook is steady with packaging and automotive sectors providing baseline offtake year-end.
• Expanded Polystyrene Price Forecast indicates modest near-term softening, followed by gradual recovery with seasonal restocking.
• Expanded Polystyrene Price Index movements mirrored steady inventories and improving export demand, keeping pressure limited.
• Major regional exporters operated normally, supporting supply continuity and preventing price shocks in the Jakarta CFR market.
Why did the price of Expanded Polystyrene change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Stable styrene and benzene feedstock limited cost-push, keeping landed costs largely unchanged for most importers.
• Container freight and bunker fuel stability prevented additional surcharges, supporting flat CFR Jakarta landed prices.
• Construction and appliance offtake provided baseline demand while single-use EPS policy discussions constrained discretionary procurement.
Europe
• In Germany, the Expanded Polystyrene Price Index fell by 5.37% quarter-over-quarter, driven by oversupply pressure.
• The average Expanded Polystyrene price for the quarter was USD 1721.33/MT per regional market assessments.
• Supply remained ample; Expanded Polystyrene Spot Price faced downward pressure from imports and elevated inventories.
• Expanded Polystyrene Production Cost Trend stayed muted as styrene and benzene feedstocks remained largely stable.
• Demand Outlook is cautious; packaging and construction provided seasonal support but overall offtake remained subdued.
• Commentary showed a neutral Price Index reflecting balanced supply, stable costs and restrained buying interest.
• Expanded Polystyrene Price Forecast suggests limited downside near term before potential seasonal recovery in spring.
• Export demand remained steady while German plants operated normally, keeping inventories comfortable, limiting price upside.
Why did the price of Expanded Polystyrene change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Oversupply from steady domestic production and higher Asian imports pressured spot values despite normal logistics.
• Muted procurement and seasonal construction slowdown reduced offtake, keeping the Price Index subdued across Europe.
• Stable styrene and benzene costs limited producers' ability to raise prices, preserving narrow margins overall.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Expanded Polystyrene Price Index fell by 4.09% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting inventory build-up.
• The average Expanded Polystyrene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1572.67/MT, reflecting managed inventories.
• Expanded Polystyrene Spot Price fluctuated this quarter as cold-chain demand intermittently tightened regional distribution availability.
• Expanded Polystyrene Production Cost Trend eased as benzene and styrene input costs softened, improving margins.
• Expanded Polystyrene Price Index weakness reflected elevated inventories, modest export activity and conservative converter purchasing.
• Domestic production ran at normal rates, import flows were steady and logistics frictions affected timing.
Why did the price of Expanded Polystyrene change in September 2025 in North America?
• Sustained upstream styrene availability and normal plant operations increased inventories, reducing pricing pressure across markets.
• Lower benzene and styrene feedstock costs eased manufacturing expenses, removing upward pressure on EPS pricing.
• Post-peak construction slowdown, conservative converter buying plus modest export demand reduced offtake and pressured prices.
APAC
• In Indonesia, the Expanded Polystyrene Price Index fell by 5.99% quarter-over-quarter, driven by weak imports.
• The average Expanded Polystyrene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1198.33/MT, CFR Jakarta basis.
• Expanded Polystyrene Spot Price softened amid steady styrene availability and comfortable import-parity, pressuring local offers.
• Expanded Polystyrene Production Cost Trend softened as regional styrene and benzene eased, reducing cost-push pressures.
• Expanded Polystyrene Price Index softened as rising inventories and stable imports constrained export price spikes.
• Import dependence and freight fluctuations pressured Expanded Polystyrene offers as domestic processors maintained conservative procurement.
Why did the price of Expanded Polystyrene change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Higher import volumes and steady regional styrene supply eased cost pressures, increasing EPS spot volumes.
• Monsoon construction delays curtailed converter purchasing, weakening domestic demand and broadly softening price negotiations locally.
• Stable freight and currency reduced import-cost volatility, but cautious buyers and inventories limited price recovery.
Europe
• In Germany, the Expanded Polystyrene Price Index fell by 5.41% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting oversupply and weak demand.
• The average Expanded Polystyrene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1819/MT, industry-weighted and regional.
• Expanded Polystyrene Spot Price remained under pressure amid elevated inventories and conservative converter procurement strategies.
• Expanded Polystyrene Production Cost Trend eased as lower styrene and benzene prices reduced margin pressure.
• Elevated inventories pressured the Expanded Polystyrene Price Index, while modest export demand provided limited offsetting support.
• Domestic production remained steady with no major outages, keeping supply ample and near term pricing subdued.
Why did the price of Expanded Polystyrene change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Stronger packaging and retrofit construction orders in September helped absorb inventories, tightening domestic supply balances.
• Lower styrene and benzene costs eased production pressures, restricting upstream cost pass to EPS prices.
• Logistics bottlenecks and elevated inland freight increased delivered costs, while cautious buyers delayed restocking decisions.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Expanded Polystyrene Price Index in the USA displayed a fluctuating trend during Q2 2025, shaped by downstream construction demand and changing styrene costs.
• Prices rose significantly during April and May due to restocking activity from packaging firms and marginal improvement in housing insulation demand.
• In June 2025, prices dropped by 3.1% as procurement slowed down and upstream styrene values weakened, pressuring the market.
• The Expanded Polystyrene Production Cost Trend declined slightly in June, in line with reduced styrene monomer prices and normalized freight rates.
• Despite the dip in prices, the Expanded Polystyrene Demand Outlook remained steady, with moderate performance in both construction and packaging applications across key states.
Why did the price of Expanded Polystyrene change in July 2025 in North America?
• In July 2025, the Price Index rose notably, driven by seasonal pickup in construction insulation demand.
• The Q3 Expanded Polystyrene Price Forecast expects cautious optimism as supply remains balanced.
APAC
• In India, the Expanded Polystyrene Price Index exhibited a mixed trajectory throughout Q2 2025, influenced by variable demand from the packaging and electronics sectors.
• Prices increased in April due to steady demand from food-grade and insulation packaging firms, supported by consistent offtake in FMCG.
• May witnessed continued strength, driven by seasonal restocking and a modest recovery in domestic electronics component packaging.
• By June 2025, the price trend turned slightly bearish as procurement slowed amid inventory saturation and reduced feedstock cost pressures.
• The Expanded Polystyrene Production Cost Trend declined towards late Q2 due to falling styrene monomer prices and eased logistics constraints.
• The Expanded Polystyrene Demand Outlook in India remained moderate with short-term stability from packaging but subdued interest from downstream construction activity.
Why did the price of Expanded Polystyrene change in July 2025 in Asia?
• In July 2025, the Price Index showed recovery due to resumed packaging orders.
• The Q3 Expanded Polystyrene Price Forecast projects steady to moderate growth in Q3 amid festive season stock build-up.
Europe
• The Expanded Polystyrene Price Index in Germany displayed fluctuations through Q2 2025, driven by the changes in styrene costs and downstream sentiment in the construction and packaging industries.
• Prices rose during April and May due to summer stockpiling by insulation manufacturers and increase in domestic packaging orders.
• In June 2025, prices dropped by 1.6% as inventory levels stabilized and demand from civil construction reduced amid macroeconomic uncertainty.
• The Expanded Polystyrene Production Cost Trend reduced in late Q2 owing to a decline in styrene feedstock costs and reduction in energy prices.
• The Expanded Polystyrene Demand Outlook remained moderate, with the construction sector showing cautious activity and packaging firms limiting their procurement activity amid uncertain demand.
Why did the price of Expanded Polystyrene change in July 2025 in Europe?
• In July 2025, the Price Index fell by 3.6% as reduced construction output and lower orders from packaging segments pushed prices down.
• The Q3 2025 Expanded Polystyrene Price Forecast indicates potential stabilization if seasonal orders pick up in August.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) market in North America exhibited a cautious trend throughout Q1 2025, shaped by seasonal reduction in construction activities and moderate demand from packaging applications. Especially in USA, during January, EPS prices remained relatively steady amid limited procurement, as harsh winter weather suppressed insulation demand. February saw a marginal decline in prices, attributed to subdued industrial activity and high inventories in key distribution hubs.
However, March brought moderate improvements to the EPS market, with early construction restocking and a slight growth in packaging demand supporting price sentiment. Traders reported increased inquiries from insulation companies as weather conditions began to improve. Feedstock styrene prices remained largely stable, helping manufacturers manage their production costs efficiently.
Despite some competitive pressure from imports, suppliers in the region maintained consistent production rates and inventory control. The quarter concluded with EPS prices assessed at USD 1,200/MT by the end of March 2025, supported by gradually improving domestic consumption and expectations of seasonal construction growth in Q2.
APAC
Across the Asia-Pacific region, EPS market trends varied significantly by country but generally remained bearish through the first two months of the quarter. China witnessed continuous price decrease through January and February due to weak post-holiday demand and average downstream resumption, particularly in packaging and construction segments. Styrene feedstock prices also declined during this period, offering limited cost support. In early March, prices stabilized as seasonal construction activity picked up and downstream companies resumed operations more fully. In South Korea, EPS prices reduced slightly in February following a moderate rise in January, driven by modest export orders and a restocking push from packaging sectors. By March, prices showed signs of recovery due to tighter inventories and increased demand from infrastructure projects. In India, prices dropped significantly by February end amid bearish demand and increased import competition and then remained largely stable through March despite slight recovery in construction. Regional dynamics were shaped by a mix of cost-led pricing strategies and supply adjustments.
Europe
In Europe, during Q1 2025, quotes for EPS were influenced by moderate volatility and seasonally driven trends. January opened the market with relatively stable prices supported by ongoing insulation demand from cold-weather construction activity, particularly in Northern and Central Europe. However, February saw slight downward adjustments in prices, as the region faced reduced demand and average industrial production. Packaging demand, while consistent, failed to balance the decline in construction-related consumption. Producers managed to maintain operating efficiency, aided by stable styrene feedstock pricing, but rising competition from imports further affected the margins. By March, sentiment stabilized as pre-spring construction inquiries got increased, prompting some restocking activity across select markets like Germany and France. Nonetheless, the demand rebound was slow, and suppliers remained cautious with planning and maintaining their production rates. Overall, the European EPS market trend moved within a narrow price range through the quarter, with no major disruptions but limited growth rate due to continuous market hesitation and weak export demand.
