For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Polyalkylene Glycol Prices in North America
- In United States, the Polyalkylene Glycol Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging feedstock costs.
- The Polyalkylene Glycol Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as producer prices rose 4.0 percent year-over-year.
- The Polyalkylene Glycol Demand Outlook remained supported in March 2026, bolstered by a 4.0 percent retail sales increase.
- The Polyalkylene Glycol Price Forecast reflected upward revisions in March 2026, aligning with 3.3 percent consumer inflation.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, while industrial production grew 0.7 percent, sustaining baseline chemical consumption.
- A 4.3 percent unemployment rate and a 91.8 consumer confidence index in March 2026 maintained steady automotive fluid purchases.
- Propylene oxide and ethylene oxide feedstock costs surged in March 2026 amid tightening supply and rising energy values.
- Motor vehicle and parts manufacturing output strengthened in February 2026, directly supporting downstream synthetic performance fluid consumption.
Why did the price of Polyalkylene Glycol change in March 2026 in North America?
- Propylene oxide and ethylene oxide production costs spiked significantly in March 2026 amid supply shocks.
- Middle East logistics constraints severely disrupted global petrochemical feedstock flows and supply in March 2026.
- Brent crude oil spot prices surged in March 2026 following major Middle East supply disruptions.
Polyalkylene Glycol Prices in APAC
- In China, the Polyalkylene Glycol Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging upstream feedstock costs.
- The Polyalkylene Glycol Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as the PPI rose 0.5% year-over-year.
- The Polyalkylene Glycol Demand Outlook strengthened in March 2026, supported by 5.7% industrial production and expanded Manufacturing Index.
- Consumer-driven Polyalkylene Glycol demand softened in March 2026, reflecting a 1.0% CPI increase and 1.7% retail sales growth.
- A 5.4% unemployment rate in March 2026 and 91.6 consumer confidence index in February 2026 depressed automotive Polyalkylene Glycol consumption.
- Automotive vehicle exports utilizing Polyalkylene Glycol lubricants surged throughout Q1 2026, offsetting weakened domestic sales during January-February 2026.
- Costs for propylene oxide and ethylene oxide feedstocks spiked sharply in March 2026 amid severe naphtha supply disruptions.
- The Polyalkylene Glycol Price Forecast remained elevated in March 2026 as domestic feedstock inventories tightened and imports plummeted.
Why did the price of Polyalkylene Glycol change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Upstream ethylene and propylene monomer costs surged in March 2026, pressuring Polyalkylene Glycol feedstock margins.
- Supply of key feedstocks tightened considerably in March 2026 due to reduced cracker operating rates.
- Import inventories of polyols plummeted in March 2026 due to severe shipping and vessel disruptions.
Polyalkylene Glycol Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Polyalkylene Glycol Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging upstream feedstock costs.
- The Polyalkylene Glycol Production Cost Trend increased significantly in March 2026, aligning with a 2.7% CPI rise.
- Despite a -0.2% PPI decline in March 2026, naphtha feedstock costs spiked sharply due to supply disruptions.
- An expanding Manufacturing Index in March 2026 supported the Polyalkylene Glycol Demand Outlook for high-performance industrial lubricants.
- Stagnant 0.0% industrial production in February 2026 indicated plateaued consumption for heavy machinery operational fluids and quenchants.
- A stable 4.2% unemployment rate in February 2026 sustained automotive aftermarket demand for specialized HVAC compressor oils.
- Deeply negative consumer confidence at -24.7 in March 2026 reduced factory-fill demand for OEM automotive compressor oils.
- The Polyalkylene Glycol Price Forecast reflected sustained upward pressure in Q1 2026 amid severe cracker feedstock shortages.
Why did the price of Polyalkylene Glycol change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Naphtha feedstock costs spiked in March 2026 due to severe global supply disruptions and tightened inventories.
- Middle East feedstock import flows to Europe were severely disrupted in March 2026 by geopolitical conflicts.
- Automotive sector demand strengthened in Q1 2026, directly driven by surging new passenger vehicle fleet registrations.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Polyalkylene Glycol Prices in North America
- In United States, Polyalkylene Glycol Price Index rose in Q4 2025, driven by increasing production costs.
- Polyalkylene Glycol production costs increased due to a 2.7% CPI rise in December 2025 and 3.0% PPI increase in November 2025.
- Demand for high-performance lubricants, a key Polyalkylene Glycol application, strengthened during Q4 2025.
- Industrial production expanded by 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, supporting overall Polyalkylene Glycol demand.
- Natural gas spot prices at Henry Hub gradually strengthened in the final months of 2025, increasing production expenses.
- Global crude oil supply declined in November 2025, impacting naphtha feedstock availability and Polyalkylene Glycol costs.
- US new-vehicle sales experienced a slowdown in Q4 2025, moderating Polyalkylene Glycol demand in the automotive sector.
- Intermediate goods producers reported a downturn in demand in December 2025 as customers pared back excess inventory.
- Retail sales increased by 3.3% year-over-year in November 2025, supporting consumer-related Polyalkylene Glycol applications.
Why did the price of Polyalkylene Glycol change in December 2025 in North America?
- Polyalkylene Glycol production costs increased due to a 2.7% CPI rise in December 2025.
- Feedstock costs rose as natural gas prices strengthened and crude oil supply declined in November 2025.
- Demand was mixed, with strengthening lubricants offset by declining automotive sales in Q4 2025.
APAC
- In China, the Polyalkylene Glycol Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by weak industrial demand and easing feedstock costs.
- Polyalkylene Glycol production costs declined in December 2025 as manufacturing input costs softened during the period.
- Demand outlook was mixed; strong automotive production in 2025 contrasted with weak propylene oxide demand in October 2025.
- China's Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, with industrial production increasing 5.2% year-on-year.
- Consumer demand remained subdued, with retail sales growing 0.9% year-on-year in December 2025, impacting consumer applications.
- Producer prices declined 1.9% year-on-year in December 2025, reflecting oversupply and pricing pressure on Polyalkylene Glycol.
- Raw materials inventory index remained below the threshold in November 2025, indicating cautious holdings by Chinese manufacturers.
- Polyalkylene Glycol supply faced pressure from continued propylene oxide capacity growth and overall chemical overcapacity in China during 2025.
- Polyalkylene Glycol prices were assessed at USD 1380/ MT in Q4.
Why did the price of Polyalkylene Glycol change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Producer prices declined 1.9% year-on-year in December 2025, reflecting weak industrial demand and oversupply.
- Propylene feedstock costs eased in October 2025, contributing to lower Polyalkylene Glycol production expenses.
- Consumer Price Index rose only 0.8% year-on-year in December 2025, indicating subdued consumer demand.
Europe
- In Germany, the Polyalkylene Glycol Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by contracting manufacturing activity in December 2025.
- Polyalkylene Glycol production costs declined due to a -2.5% year-on-year decrease in producer prices in December 2025.
- Demand for Polyalkylene Glycol faced headwinds from a consumer confidence indicator of -17.5 in December 2025.
- The Polyalkylene Glycol demand outlook was slightly supported by a 0.8% year-on-year rise in industrial production in October 2025.
- Automotive production, a key demand driver, fluctuated in Q4 2025, declining in October but increasing in November and December 2025.
- High natural gas costs in 2025 continued to pose a threat to the competitiveness of the German industry sector.
- Retail sales growth of 1.1% year-on-year in November 2025 offered modest support for Polyalkylene Glycol in consumer applications.
- The Polyalkylene Glycol Price Forecast suggests continued pressure from moderate inflation (CPI 1.8% YoY in December 2025) and stable unemployment (6.2% in December 2025).
Why did the price of Polyalkylene Glycol change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Producer prices declined by -2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, reducing Polyalkylene Glycol production costs.
- Manufacturing activity was contracting in December 2025, indicating weaker industrial demand for Polyalkylene Glycol.
- Consumer confidence remained significantly pessimistic at -17.5 in December 2025, dampening consumer-driven Polyalkylene Glycol demand.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
- In United States, Polyalkylene Glycol Price Index rose in Q3 2025, driven by strengthening ethylene feedstock costs.
- PAG production costs increased due to a 3.0% rise in the all items index in September 2025.
- Producer Price Index for final demand rose 2.6% in August 2025, indicating higher input costs for PAG.
- Industrial production showed weak 0.1% year-over-year growth in September 2025, impacting overall PAG demand.
- Strong retail sales, up 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025, supported PAG demand in consumer sectors.
- Declining consumer confidence to 94.2 in September 2025 suggested potential dampening of PAG demand.
- Automotive and construction sector demand for propylene oxide derivatives surged in Q3 2025, boosting PAG consumption.
- US ethylene supply tightened, and natural gas costs increased in Q3 2025, raising PAG manufacturing expenses.
- North America's exports of propylene oxide derivatives increased in Q3 2025, indicating robust external market demand.
Why did the price of Polyalkylene Glycol change in September 2025 in North America?
- Ethylene feedstock costs strengthened in Q3 2025, directly increasing PAG production expenses.
- US ethylene supply tightened and natural gas costs increased in Q3 2025, raising manufacturing expenses.
- Robust retail sales, up 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025, supported Polyalkylene Glycol demand.
Europe
- In Germany, the Polyalkylene Glycol Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, due to weakened industrial demand.
- Polyalkylene Glycol production costs declined, influenced by a 1.7% decrease in producer prices in September 2025.
- Naphtha and propylene oxide feedstock costs softened in Germany during Q3 2025, easing production expenses.
- Polyalkylene Glycol demand outlook was bearish, with the Manufacturing Index contracting in Q3 2025.
- Industrial production in Germany declined by 1.0% in September 2025, negatively impacting Polyalkylene Glycol consumption.
- Elevated propylene oxide inventories in Q3 2025 suggested ample supply, contributing to downward price pressure.
- German exports declined in Q3 2025, and trade barriers impacted the broader European chemical market.
- Retail sales rose by 0.2% in September 2025, offering slight support for consumer-facing Polyalkylene Glycol applications.
Why did the price of Polyalkylene Glycol change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Producer prices decreased by 1.7% in September 2025, alongside softened naphtha and propylene oxide feedstock costs.
- Industrial production fell 1.0% in September 2025, and the Manufacturing Index contracted, weakening demand.
- Elevated propylene oxide inventories and declining German exports contributed to an oversupplied market.
APAC
- In China, the Polyalkylene Glycol Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by weak industrial demand.
- Polyalkylene Glycol production costs remained stable in Q3 2025, as key petrochemical feedstocks like propylene held steady.
- Automotive production and sales strengthened in Q3 2025, boosting Polyalkylene Glycol demand in that sector.
- Overall Polyalkylene Glycol demand outlook was mixed, with consumer confidence low at 89.6 index in September 2025.
- China's Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, indicating reduced industrial output.
- Industrial production increased by 6.5% in September 2025, supporting Polyalkylene Glycol demand in industrial applications.
- Retail sales grew by 3.0% in September 2025, offering some support for consumer-facing Polyalkylene Glycol uses.
- Global petrochemical oversupply, particularly from China, persisted in Q3 2025, impacting Polyalkylene Glycol market balance.
Why did the price of Polyalkylene Glycol change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Weak industrial demand, with Manufacturing Index contracting and PPI falling 2.3% in September 2025, pressured prices.
- Deflationary pressures, with CPI at -0.3% in September 2025, contributed to bearish Polyalkylene Glycol sentiment.
- Persistent global oversupply from China and 5.2% unemployment in September 2025 impacted overall demand.
