For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Polyimide Prices in APAC
- In China, the Polyimide Resin Price Index rose by 0.86% quarter-over-quarter, driven by firmer conversion costs.
- The average Polyimide Resin price for the quarter was approximately USD 19566.67/MT, reflecting subdued demand and ample domestic inventories.
- March tightening reduced Polyimide Resin Spot Price availability, supporting stronger offers from exporters and tightening prompt cargo supply.
- Suppliers cited rising monomer costs, with the Polyimide Resin Production Cost Trend moving higher on aromatic feedstock inflation.
- Downstream restocking improved Polyimide Resin Demand Outlook, led by flexible printed-circuit and battery separator applications in Asia.
- Inventory draws at Qingdao and constrained merchant availability elevated the Polyimide Resin Price Index through month-end bidding pressure.
- Short-term Polyimide Resin Price Forecast anticipates modest gains amid seasonal procurement and limited immediately available spot lots.
- Producers maintained steady runs as electricity issues eased, keeping domestic supply ample despite intermittent solvent-incinerator curtailments.
Why did the price of Polyimide Resin change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Supply tightened as solvent-incinerator audits forced short coastal shutdowns, reducing merchant availability and tightening prompt shipments.
- Conversion costs rose on firmer para-aromatic feedstock and higher delivered monomer prices, pressuring producer margins.
- Export restocking from South Korea and India increased buying interest, depleting Qingdao inventories and lifting spot offers.
Polyimide Prices in North America
- In United States, the Polyimide Price Index fluctuated quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by elevated production costs.
- The Polyimide Production Cost Trend increased as the Producer Price Index rose 4.0% year-over-year in March 2026.
- Consumer Price Index inflation reached 3.3% year-over-year in March 2026, pushing up energy-intensive Polyimide production expenses.
- The Polyimide Demand Outlook strengthened because the Manufacturing Index expanded during the quarter ending March 2026.
- Retail sales grew 4.0% year-over-year in March 2026, sustaining downstream demand for Polyimide -derived synthetic fibers.
- Industrial production increased 0.7% year-over-year in March 2026, providing baseline support for general chemical manufacturing needs.
- Byproduct sulfuric acid supply tightened as several nonferrous-metal smelters experienced planned maintenance periods in Q1 2026.
- Construction sector demand for Polyimide derivatives showed mixed signals as multifamily housing starts surged in January 2026.
- The Polyimide Price Forecast remained bullish throughout Q1 2026 due to sustained cost-push inflation and steady demand.
Why did the price of Polyimide change in March 2026 in North America?
- Elevated input costs passed through the supply chain as the Producer Price Index rose in March 2026.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, driving higher consumption of highly reactive base chemical intermediates.
Polyimide Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Polyimide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging upstream costs.
- The Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% while the Producer Price Index fell 0.2% in March 2026.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, despite industrial production remaining stagnant at 0.0% in February 2026.
- Retail sales grew 0.7% and unemployment hit 4.2% in February 2026, while consumer confidence reached -24.7 in March 2026.
- The Polyimide Demand Outlook strengthened as downstream sector procurement increased in March 2026.
- Natural gas and electricity costs for Polyimide processing plummeted in February 2026 before spiking in March 2026.
- The Polyimide Price Forecast indicated upward pressure following tightened sulfuric acid precursor supply channels in March 2026.
Why did the price of Polyimide change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Natural gas and electricity energy production costs spiked sharply for industrial producers in March 2026.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
APAC
- In China, the Polyimide Price Index rose by 1.39% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting firmer automotive procurement activity.
- The average Polyimide price for the quarter was approximately USD 19400.00/MT, supported by NEV demand.
- Polyimide Spot Price eased in December as exporters lifted early offers before year-end inventory clearing.
- The Polyimide Price Forecast shows downward risk near-term amid elevated inventories and softer export bookings.
- Polyimide Production Cost Trend softened as stable monomer supply and milder power rationing lowered costs.
- Polyimide Demand Outlook remains selective with strong automotive and NEV procurement offsetting weaker electronics exports.
- Polyimide Price Index showed intra-quarter volatility with early hikes then discounts to clear elevated stock.
- Export loaders and rising finished-goods inventories pressured offers, prompting producers to discount for December shipments.
Why did the price of Polyimide change in December 2025 in APAC?
- New coastal capacity and solvent recovery retrofits increased December resin output, contributing to higher supply.
- Stable monomer availability and milder power rationing eased variable production costs, reducing pressure on pricing.
- Subdued orders from Korean and Vietnamese electronics assemblers weakened export demand, encouraging sellers to discount.
North America
- The Polyimide Price Index in North America showed a stable trend throughout Q4 2025, supported by consistent procurement from semiconductor packaging, aerospace electronics, and electric vehicle component manufacturers.
- Polyimide Spot Price levels remained resilient during most of the quarter as specialty film and resin grades saw steady contract lifting from electronics and defense-related supply chains, limiting availability in the merchant market.
- The Polyimide Production Cost Trend remained slightly elevated due to stable-to-firm prices of key monomers alongside sustained energy and compliance-related operating costs for high-performance polymer producers.
- The Polyimide Demand Outlook in North America stayed constructive, driven by ongoing semiconductor reshoring initiatives, aerospace manufacturing activity, EV battery insulation demand, and continued investment in advanced electronics manufacturing.
- The regional Price Index also reflected tightness in high-specification grades used in chip fabrication and flexible electronics, where qualification barriers and long lead times limited rapid supply expansion.
- In September 2025, prices increased in North America. The rise in the Price Index was attributed to restocking from semiconductor and aerospace buyers following summer slowdowns, coupled with firm contract demand and limited spot availability of specialty polyimide films.
- The Polyimide Price Forecast for early 2026 indicates a stable-to-firm trend, as strategic electronics and defense sector demand continues to provide structural support despite cautious purchasing in consumer electronics.
Europe
- In Europe, the Polyimide Price Index recorded moderate firmness during Q4 2025, supported by automotive electrification projects, industrial electronics demand, and aerospace sector consumption of high-temperature polymer materials.
- The Polyimide Spot Price trend showed stability through most of the quarter, though late-quarter discounting emerged in some standard-grade materials as distributors adjusted inventories ahead of year-end.
- The Polyimide Production Cost Trend remained relatively steady, with balanced monomer supply and easing regional energy volatility compared with earlier in the year, allowing producers to maintain consistent operating margins.
- The Polyimide Demand Outlook across Europe remained mixed but generally supportive, with growth in EV electronics, renewable energy systems, and aerospace programs offsetting weaker performance in consumer electronics and general industrial laminates.
- The Price Index was influenced by strong demand for specialty films used in automotive sensors, battery systems, and flexible displays, while commodity resin grades saw more balanced supply-demand conditions.
- In September 2025, prices increased in Europe. The increase in the Price Index was driven by seasonal restocking from automotive and industrial electronics manufacturers after summer maintenance slowdowns, alongside steady aerospace procurement and firm import offers.
- The Polyimide Price Forecast for early 2026 suggests stable pricing with limited downside risk, as specialty-grade demand remains healthy while broader industrial demand recovery continues gradually.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
APAC
- In China, the Polyimide Price Index fell by 13.42% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting supply easing and competitive discounts.
- The average Polyimide price for the quarter was approximately USD 19133.33/MT, based on FOB Qingdao.
- Polyimide Spot Price softened during the quarter as domestic sellers increased discounts to clear inventories.
- Polyimide Price Forecast indicates modest recovery into Q4, contingent on restocking and improved export logistics.
- Polyimide Production Cost Trend eased due to lower feedstock and energy inputs, supporting margin pressure relief.
- Polyimide Demand Outlook remains mixed; automotive NEV strength offsets weaker consumer electronics and smartphone segments.
- Polyimide Price Index volatility reflected inventory destocking, promotional selling, and order flows from NEV manufacturers.
- Elevated export inquiries partially supported pricing, while domestic overcapacity and festival holidays pressured short-term availability.
Why did the price of Polyimide change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Improved domestic supply and inventory destocking created oversupply, triggering downward pricing pressure in September 2025.
- Easing feedstock and energy costs reduced production costs, while port congestion and holidays disrupted supply timing.
- Aggressive discounting by producers and cautious downstream procurement amplified negative market sentiment, weakening price realizations.
North America
- The Price Index for polyimide fluctuated through Q3 2025 as spot tightness for certain film grades alternated with periods of softening; the Polyimide Spot Price moved up and down on short-cycle order flows.
- Why September 2025 changed: Prices increased in September 2025 after semiconductor suppliers and flexible PCB fabricators accelerated restocking ahead of new product ramps, tightening available merchant film and substrate lots and supporting spot premiums.
- Downstream uses (drivers): Primary end-uses driving demand include flexible printed circuits (FPCs), semiconductor insulation and packaging, aerospace insulation and films, high-temperature adhesives/coatings, and medical device components — sectors that require PI for thermal/electrical performance.
- Production cost & supply: The Polyimide Production Cost Trend showed intermittent upward pressure from aromatic monomer costs, specialty solvent and energy inputs, and selective capacity constraints at high-purity film lines; these factors amplified short-run spot volatility.
- Demand & outlook: The Polyimide Demand Outlook into Q4 is constructive for electronics and aerospace segments; the Polyimide Price Forecast assumes continued short-run fluctuation with a mild upward bias if semiconductor/flex-PCB restocking continues.
Europe
- Europe’s Price Index for polyimide displayed swings through Q3 2025; Polyimide Spot Price volatility reflected uneven demand from electronics, automotive, and aerospace converters.
- Why prices in September 2025 changed: Prices decreased in September 2025 as some converters curtailed purchasing after summer restocking and imported lower-cost film lots improved availability, relieving previous supply tightness.
- Downstream uses (drivers): Key applications include flexible circuitry and FPC substrates, high-temperature insulating films for aerospace and defense, automotive sensors and EV components, and specialty coatings/adhesives — sectors that set baseline PI demand.
- Production cost & supply: The Polyimide Production Cost Trend eased modestly toward quarter end as some monomer and energy costs softened and imports competed with local film output, constraining manufacturers’ ability to push through higher prices.
- Demand & outlook: The Polyimide Demand Outlook for Q4 is cautiously positive as new electronics and aerospace programs may re-ignite offtake; the Polyimide Price Forecast indicates a sideways-to-moderate recovery profile, dependent on semiconductor and automotive program cadence.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
APAC
- The Price Index for Polyimide Spot Price fell sharply—down from USD 23000/MT (April) to USD 21400/MT (FOB Qingdao) by June.
- Despite strong automotive and high-tech demand, intense supply-side competition, rising inventories, and stable input costs pushed the soft pricing trend.
- The Polyimide Price Forecast suggests continued mild softness into Q3, leveling off as demand and supply rebalance.
Why did the price change in July 2025?
- In July 2025, the Price Index decreased further, albeit at a reduced rate, as downstream hesitancy and elevated stock levels persisted, even as demand improved in EV and aerospace applications.
- The Polyimide Production Cost Trend remained stable. Feedstock prices and manufacturing input costs (e.g. precursor monomers, energy) did not rise significantly. Domestic producers absorbed margin pressure while clearing inventory.
- The Polyimide Demand Outlook remains cautiously optimistic. Automotive and NEV-related demand continues robust, but broader uptake in electronics and aerospace remains moderate. Demand growth may improve if inventory digestion supports restocking.
Europe
- The Price Index for Polyimide fluctuated through Q2 2025, with softening price support amid mixed demand from electronics and automotive sectors. Import competition and logistics volatility added to pricing uncertainty.
Why did the price change in July 2025?
- In July 2025, the Price Index likely decreased modestly, as European tyre tiers and tyrene industrial users tread cautiously amid weak OEM orders and subdued restocking by processors.
- Production Cost Trend: The Polyimide Production Cost Trend stayed relatively flat. Rising logistics and compliance costs offset mild raw material relief, but upstream cost volatility remained contained.
- The Polyimide Demand Outlook is subdued to steady. Demand from high-performance applications such as aerospace and e-mobility are supportive, but broader chemical and compound segments await recovery in industrial and consumer electronics.
North America
- North American Price Index for Polyimide showed a modest downward trend across Q2 2025, mirroring global softness and cautious buyer sentiment in varied application markets.
Why did the price change in July 2025?
- In July 2025, the Price Index likely edged lower, as downstream players delayed procurement amid inventory normalization and uncertainty in EV/semiconductor-linked demand.
- Production Cost Trend: The Polyimide Production Cost Trend remained stable, with moderate feedstock pricing and manufacturing costs. No significant disruptions occurred in precursor supply chains.
- The Polyimide Demand Outlook points to measured appreciation, dependent on recovery in high-tech manufacturing, EV-related growth, and overall industrial momentum.
