For the Quarter Ending March 2023
USA
A decline in spot demand caused LDPE prices to fall in the US during the first quarter, and LDPE trading activity increased. Other processors may have just purchased the material as part of their routine business operations, while the more widespread purchasing may have been caused by late railcars that required immediate feedstock resin availability. Downstream LLDPE prices in the American market have continued the downward pattern because there have not been any notable changes in the local demand that have an effect on the final pricing. The Polyethylene scenario in the US market remained silent throughout the quarter. Offers for LDPE were there in the market but were met with uninterested buyers. The price of LDPE in the US was recorded at around USD 1388/MT.
APAC
Low demand for LDPE cargoes in the Asian nations that import it is a major element in the dip in the price range of LDPE, which led to a decrease in the material's price this quarter. The cost was estimated to be USD 1140/MT LDPE Film Grade CFR Busan in South Korea. The steady decline in upstream ethylene cost contributed to the falling price trend of LDPE in the South Korean market. LDPE prices decreased in the Asian market this week despite strong downstream buying activity. The main cause of the South-Eastern LDPE price trend's downward movement is the high exporting nations' supply rates as a result of the markets' dropping price trends. The demand for Polyethylene after the spring festival was not as high as anticipated, which is seen in the prices of LDPE in China during the latter weeks of February. LDPE prices in China were constant during this quarter. The restart of an upstream Ethylene plant in the Chinese market contributed to the consistent LDPE price trend.
Europe
Throughout this quarter, LDPE prices have been steadily falling on the European market as upstream Ethylene prices have come down as a result of the extremely low natural gas prices. The producers of LDPE did not wish to reduce the prices of LDPE in spite of the dropping costs and weakening demand in the European region, which led to a constant price trend for LDPE in Germany. As people started making purchases to meet summertime demands, LDPE prices rose in the UK. Additionally, as energy prices rose and demand from downstream industries in the European region increased throughout the summer, this was also true in the English market. Furthermore, The price of LDPE in the UK climbed during the last week of March despite declining ethylene costs throughout Europe due to increased demand from the downstream packaging sectors. Therefore, the price of LDPE hovered at USD1640/MT in the English market as of March 31, when LDPE prices climbed by 1.8%.
For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
LDPE prices during the Fourth quarter of 2022 in the USA witnessed a declining price trend throughout the quarter, which is very similar to the decreasing price trend of LDPE in the USA during Q3 2022. In comparison to Q3 2022, the monthly rate of price fall for LDPE in the USA was higher in Q4 2022, while the trend followed the same downward trajectory during both quarters. The fluctuating upstream Ethylene price was not able to alter the declining price trend of US LDPE during Q4 2022. Poor demand from the downstream sector further led to the decline of LDPE prices in the US.
APAC
The prices of LDPE in the Asian markets kept on falling throughout the fourth quarter of 2022. Despite multiple troughs and crests in the upstream Ethylene prices in the Asian markets during mid-Q4, the prices of LDPE declined effectively. The largest exporter of LDPE to Asian markets (Saudi Arabia) witnessed two huge manufacturing units undergo a production cut caused by maintenance activities but did not have a notable impact on Asian LDPE prices due to the poor performance of the downstream piping and packaging industries in Asia. China is the major importer of LDPE manufactured in Asia, so the weak economic condition in the country brought down the Asian LDPE prices during Q4 2022.
Europe
The prices of LDPE in the European region witnessed a slight decline during the first two months of Q4 2022. The poor demand from the downstream piping sector in the domestic markets was the key reason behind the declining price trend of LDPE. However, the prices during the last month of Q4 2022 rose as the inventories in the European region started declining, and the high input costs like Energy and transportation started to catch up with the manufacturers and forced them to increase the prices despite the poor demand scenario for LDPE in Europe. A decline in Saudi exports further contributed to the price hike during the end of Q4 2022.
For the Quarter Ending September 2022
North America
LDPE prices have been steadily declining in the US throughout the third quarter of 2022. As a result of a downturn in demand from the packaging and film sectors in Q3 2022, LDPE prices on the American market have decreased. Additionally, the price of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) decreased along with the market price of the feedstock ethylene, which also decreased the upstream expenses associated with the manufacture of LDPE. The price of LDPE was around USD 1749/MT LDPE Film Grade FOB Texas at the beginning of Q3 2022 in the US.
APAC
At the beginning of Q3 2022, LDPE prices fell in the domestic Chinese market as demand from end-user declined. Manufacturers were compelled to lower prices since there was a high supply of items and little demand for them on the local market. Early in the third quarter of 2022, the price decline of LDPE was aided by low feedstock ethylene costs. LDPE prices increased in China during the final month of the third quarter of 2022 as a result of increased interest in purchasing polyethylene (PE). The third quarter of 2022 saw a similar trend to that of China in other significant Asian markets. At the conclusion of the third quarter, the price of LDPE in Japan was around USD 1475/MT LDPE FOB Tokyo.
Europe
During the third quarter of 2022, LDPE supplies were abundant while demand from various end-use sectors persisted underwhelming. Due to increased economic uncertainties and pressure on consumer purchasing power, demand was lower than during the typical summer holiday season. Although there was enough material to meet the modest demand, manufacturing restrictions and maintenance also limited supplies in the European market. Additionally, imports from Asia and the Middle East increased, which lowered LDPE's price in Europe. LDPE was priced in Germany at about USD 2060/MT at the beginning of the third quarter of 2022.
For the Quarter Ending June 2022
North America
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) prices gradually rose in the US market during the second quarter of 2022. The price hike during April can be primarily traced to the rising price trend of upstream monomer Ethylene. In the US market, the natural gas prices rose throughout April, abetting LDPE's price hike during the same period. The prices of LDPE eased a bit while nearing the end of Q2 2022. The easing of prices of LDPE was mainly due to the decreasing price of feedstock naphtha caused by poor gasoline blending rates and weak market sentiments for upstream Ethylene monomer in the American market.
APAC
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) prices surged during the start of the second quarter in the Indian market, and soaring crude oil prices forced the domestic producers of LDPE to increase the cost of the commodity. The cost of LDPE steadily dropped throughout the second quarter of 2022 due to the arrival of the off-season leading to weak demand from the plastic manufacturing sector. In the Chinese market, the prices of LDPE dropped steadily throughout the entire Q2 2022, owing to the poor demand from the downstream industries caused by the strict restriction in the domestic market to curb the resurgence of Covid-19 cases. The limited export rates also raised the availability of the commodity in the domestic market, abetting the decreasing price trend of LDPE in China.
Europe
In the European market, the prices of LDPE were hiked at the start of the second quarter of 2022 because of the rising cost of upstream crude oil owing to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The sanctions by several European countries against the imports of Russian oil and gas increased the cost of upstream natural gas. They raised the price of upstream products like Ethylene monomer in the domestic market, assisting the increasing price trend of LDPE in Europe. Soaring natural gas prices rose the energy prices in Europe. High energy prices drove up the operation cost of LDPE, contributing to price hikes throughout Q2 2022.
For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
Spot LDPE film trade volumes in the first quarter of 2022 improved significantly as compared to the last quarter of 2021. The first half of January saw demand struggle to take off owing to the pandemic disrupting market signals in both the domestic and overseas (Northeast Asia) markets. Demand however rose and spot volumes improved by the tail end of January. Feedstock ethylene prices were relatively soft compared to the other regions in the months of February and March as Ethane prices were lower on the back of moderate natural gas price rise compared to the naphtha cracking regions such as Europe and Asia Pacific and the middle east which had to bear the brunt of exceedingly high crude oil prices.
Asia Pacific
LDPE market in the Asia Pacific remained bullish during the quarter ending March as prices of the resin were heading for record highs by the mid-March period in all the major markets including China and India. Feedstock ethylene monomer prices in the Northeast Asian region increased by 3.2% during the period 25th February 22 to 17th March 22 and the corresponding increase in the Southeast Asian region was 5.6%. Most naphtha crackers in the East Asian region cut down production due to higher cost pressure from the feedstock market.
Major Indian manufacturers including Reliance Industries Limited, ONGC Petro additions Limited and the Haldia Petrochemicals had consistently revised their offers upwards between the period 19th January 22 to 10th March 22.
Europe
European LDPE film market witnessed severe supply side crunch through out the quarter ending March 2022. Supply tightness in the natural gas market led to higher utility costs for both upstream naphtha crackers as well as manufacturers of the resin. The prices of Ethylene monomer assessed on an FD Northwest Europe basis have seen a rise of 32% during the period 25th February to 16th March prompting refiners to cut down production rates. LyondellBasell, INEOS and ExxonMobil were see being more aggressive in pricing their offers especially for the month of March which saw an average price push of USD 0.08/lb to USD 0.1/lb on an average.
For the Quarter Ending December 2021
North America
As a result of supply tightness faced during the period post deep freeze in USA, exports had been diverted form Northeast Asia to Europe and the domestic market as a conscious decision to maintain stability in the market. However, production had recovered by the start or mid-October flooding the domestic market with a surplus. Although traders were helped by the continuously rising freight charges which weakened the arbitrage margins for imports from overseas, the slump in demand ahead of the Christmas season in North America and Europe forced most traders to sell their stocks at significant discounts. Demand from the packaging Industry gave the markets some breathing room but the return of strict lock downs and quarantine protocols in China and Northeast Asia had led to ExxonMobil, Dow, LyondellBasell etc., to revise their prices downward drastically to the tail end of December FY21 owing to a lack of demand from overseas.
The outlook for Q1 of FY22 remains highly unpredictable due to the pandemic disrupting logistic networks once again. Although the affect on polymers market may not be as severe as during the Q1 of 2020 period but demand fundamentals could certainly be weakened as result of the ongoing crisis. Demand is expected to pick up during the early to mid-February when markets, especially those in Asia become more pandemic ready.
Asia
The Asian LDPE market witnessed an opposite of the trend from North America as prices of LDPE on an average increased in Q4 from the Q3 levels as prices of film grade LDPE in China increased by almost 10%. Supply side tightness persisted during Q4 as freight costs from Europe, U.S.A and the Middle East to East Asia during the October to November period were at record levels. China was also crippled by an energy crisis since October owing to coal shortage which forced the government to cause an intervention and ration the coal supplies to distribution companies. However, this intervention could not lead to any long-term gains as the month of December saw the country hit by the new wave of pandemic disrupting domestic production as well as imports from overseas due to clogging at the container terminals.
India too saw a significant rise in the average prices of LDPE compared to the Q3 levels. A significant increase of 15% was observed during Q4 assessments for the LDPE adhesive film grade. India too was hit by shortages in coal reserve during the same period pushing up the energy costs. Although RIL, Opal and GAIL had started revising prices downward during the month December, the price cut did not affect the overall sentiment for Q4 as Demand had outmatched supply over the entire quarter.
The Outlook for Q1 of FY22 remains mixed with the new wave of pandemic likely to affect production rates across Asia. As a result, prices could see an uptrend by the mid-January to early February period.
Europe
European LDPE market too like the US market saw a marginal depreciation in the prices of LDPE during Q4 of FY21 compared to the Q3 levels. The average prices of LDPE film grade were on an average 2.3% lower over Q4 compared to Q3 assessed on an FD Hamburg basis. Demand declined since the closing week of November FY21 as the holiday season saw most companies including INEOS and LyondellBasell revise their prices downward. Natural gas market’s anomalous trend this time around had a direct impact on the production levels as price was on a downtrend for majority of Q4 and only started reversing by the second week of December. This had led to the exporting countries like the Netherlands and Belgium continue with the same production levels. The new wave of pandemic however impacted their export base as East Asia went back to lock down mode during the closing weeks of Q4 further reducing the prices of LDPE.
The Outlook for Q1 of FY22 remains uncertain as the new wave of pandemic disrupts market signals and global logistic networks making it difficult for market players to assess actual demand. A lot, however, depends on the severity of the winter in Europe and US as production levels come down during the peak winter season owing to increased energy demand and in turn the energy costs.
For the Quarter Ending September 2021
During the third quarter of 2021, polymer availability improved significantly in the domestic market which resulted in a marginal decline in the prices of LDPE in North America. The demand from downstream sectors stayed healthy in Q3 as market participants pointed out that consumption for the product has turned stronger. The change in consumer behaviour was observed by the manufacturing sector after considerable ease in restrictions was seen across the US. In terms of demand, the construction sector along with the packaging sector had been intaking healthy volumes throughout the quarter. The supply of LDPE improved in the last few weeks of the 3rd quarter as operating rates from the manufacturers measured robust increase. The price of LDPE Film Grade was last assessed at USD 1850/MT FOB Texas.
The domestic LDPE market price experienced an uptrend in the Asia Pacific region in Q3 2021. The pricing trend witnessed another uptick w.e.f. 24th August buoyed by the consistent rise in the consumer demand amidst constrained regional supply. Shutdown by two polymer producers based in Malaysia during the quarter also levied stress over the regional supply fundamentals in the domestic market. A trader revealed that an increase in the delta variant cases disrupted the supply chain with various countries in Q3 and has thus made prices volatile. In India, the demand for LDPE remained bullish throughout the quarter as prices escalated from USD 1090/MT to USD 1206/MT during the quarter.
The European market of LDPE showcased mixed sentiments in the third quarter. Production was improved in Q3 due to the maintenance of the several plants. The prices of PE hit all-time high earlier in 2021 due to the extreme weather conditions in the US Gulf which took out large amounts of ethylene and PE capacity tending to reduce the supply as well as demand. Prices across Europe degraded due to the abrupt market situation and were lastly settled at USD 2055 per metric tonne in September.
