For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America (USA)
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol Price Index averaged USD 2,635/MT FOB Texas in Q2 2025, rising on robust demand from adhesives, coatings, and packaging sectors despite stable feedstock VAM and energy costs.
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol Spot Price trended upward, driven by strong pull from water-soluble packaging and paper coatings, even as domestic buyers faced higher freight surcharges along the Gulf Coast.
• Why did the price change in July 2025? Prices are projected to stay elevated or rise slightly, as seasonal construction-linked demand combines with resilient export flows to Latin America, while plant turnarounds at key Gulf Coast producers tighten supply.
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol Production Cost Trend held steady, supported by flat ethylene and acetic acid inputs, though rising labour and freight expenses added mild margin pressure.
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol Demand Outlook is bullish into Q3 2025, with adhesives, water-based coatings, and biodegradable film applications sustaining upward pricing momentum despite pockets of demand softness in textiles.
Europe (Germany)
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol Price Index averaged USD 3,194/MT FD Hamburg in Q2 2025, holding firm despite lackluster construction and textile demand, as rising Asian freight rates and limited import availability lifted landed costs.
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol Spot Price was supported by export-linked procurement, especially from Italy and France, as Southern European packaging converters replenished inventories ahead of summer production peaks.
• Why did the price change in July 2025? Prices are projected to increase slightly, as tight imports from Asia and rising intra-Europe logistics rates keep replacement costs firm, even though eurozone demand from construction and industrial coatings remains subdued.
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol Production Cost Trend moved upward, driven by higher logistics surcharges and energy costs, although raw material pricing for VAM and acetic acid remained relatively stable.
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol Demand Outlook is neutral-to-firm, supported by export volumes and steady packaging-related orders, but offset by ongoing weakness in Germany’s residential and industrial construction sectors.
Asia-Pacific (China)
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol Price Index averaged USD 1,848/MT FOB Qingdao in Q2 2025, strengthening on tighter domestic supply and seasonal demand from adhesives, films, and textile sizing, despite earlier Q2 softness tied to sluggish South Asian exports.
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol Spot Price rose steadily as producers cut operating rates to manage inventories, while restocking from Japan and South Korea lifted regional sentiment.
• Why did the price change in July 2025? Prices are projected to rise further, supported by lower inventories, firm acetic acid feedstock costs, and strong pull from adhesives and textile auxiliaries, though Southeast Asian exports remain cautious due to freight costs.
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol Production Cost Trend edged upward as acetic acid and VAM prices firmed, while energy tariffs across North China added incremental costs despite steady vinyl acetate supply.
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol Demand Outlook is positive, with adhesives, food-grade films, and seasonal textile applications expected to keep utilization rates firm heading into Q3 2025.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) prices in the U.S. trended downward throughout Q1 2025, continuing a gradual decline from late 2024. This softness was primarily driven by a drop in feedstock costs, particularly acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), and subdued demand across key downstream sectors. While cost-side relief helped ease producer margins, weak industrial activity and cautious buying behavior across end-user industries like FMCG packaging, textiles, and paper kept price gains in check. The market remained well-supplied, and sellers avoided aggressive restocking in response to stagnant offtake.
Domestic PVA production stayed steady but operated at moderated rates to align with lackluster demand. Although energy and labor costs remained elevated, improved inland freight conditions and stable raw material sourcing helped maintain smooth supply flows. Imports from Asia continued to exert competitive pressure, particularly in regions with lighter demand recovery.
On the demand front, construction and lightweight cement applications offered a stable consumption base, while textiles and FMCG-related packaging saw softer inquiries. With macroeconomic uncertainties—including slow consumer spending and policy-related trade headwinds—PVA prices are expected to remain under moderate pressure heading into Q2 2025.
APAC
The Chinese Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) market witnessed a downward pricing trend throughout Q1 2025, driven by weak demand fundamentals and subdued feedstock cost support. Despite a brief stabilization in January due to tightened supply and pre-holiday procurement, prices trended lower by March as downstream industries curtailed purchasing activity and oversupply conditions re-emerged.
Production levels remained stable, but lower utilization rates and steady feedstock availability, particularly for acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), contributed to manageable production costs. However, oversupply in key regions, compounded by a cautious approach from buyers in adhesives, textiles, and paper coatings, pressured sellers to reduce prices in an effort to stimulate transactions. Export volumes provided some offsetting support, particularly to Southeast Asian markets, but were insufficient to reverse the bearish momentum.
Downstream demand was uneven, with construction and cement-linked applications exhibiting minimal activity due to ongoing real estate sector weakness. The adhesives and textile sizing sectors maintained only essential procurement, while the paints and coatings segment offered modest support. With limited signs of demand recovery and growing concerns about overcapacity, the Chinese PVA market is expected to remain under pressure heading into Q2 2025.
Europe
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) prices in Germany declined steadily through Q1 2025, marking a continuation of the softening trend from late 2024. This price pressure was largely driven by weak demand from key end-use sectors such as construction, adhesives, coatings, and textiles, coupled with stable but high inventories and easing feedstock costs. Despite higher methanol prices in the upstream value chain, falling vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) prices and subdued industrial consumption limited any significant upward pricing momentum.
PVA manufacturing operated at stable rates during the quarter, supported by consistent domestic production and steady import volumes. Weak crude oil-linked inputs and stable energy costs helped keep production costs in check. Meanwhile, freight rates from North America to Europe declined, enhancing import competitiveness and preventing domestic sellers from raising prices. However, structural issues such as labor shortages, regulatory burdens, and soft factory orders kept production cautious.
Downstream demand was inconsistent, with construction-linked applications continuing to face project delays and slow new order volumes. The coatings and adhesives segments remained stable but underwhelming, while the textile and paper industries showed limited restocking activity. With Germany’s industrial sector still battling macroeconomic headwinds and trade uncertainty, the PVA market is expected to stay bearish heading into Q2 2025.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, Polyvinyl alcohol prices in the USA remained range bound, holding around USD 2410-2530 per metric ton FOB Texas, despite sluggish downstream demand from the paints, coatings, and personal care sectors. Ample supply levels balanced the market, even as end-user purchasing power remained constrained.
While attempts to reduce prices had minimal impact, upstream methanol prices showed upward momentum due to anticipated increases in Methanex's monthly contract pricing. However, weak Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) demand and elevated shipping costs limited significant price hikes for the feedstock. Manufacturing activity faced pressure as key downstream industries, including construction and automotive, exhibited subdued performance. Chemical producers, such as Celanese, implemented cost-cutting measures and temporary shutdowns to align with reduced demand.
Despite stable supply conditions, the U.S. construction sector, a major consumer of Polyvinyl alcohol in coatings, remained slow, with residential activity facing ongoing challenges from high interest rates and affordability issues. While builder optimism improved slightly, reflecting regulatory relief expectations post-election, overall construction activity stayed below prior-year levels. Looking ahead, market participants express cautious optimism for a potential recovery in 2025, driven by regulatory shifts and improved sentiment in downstream industries. However, persistent supply-demand imbalances and subdued global economic conditions are likely to keep price growth moderate in the near term.
APAC
In Q4 2024, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) prices in China rose from in October by mid-December, driven by higher feedstock Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) costs and constrained supply due to production cuts. While reduced inventories and government stimulus measures boosted market sentiment, weak downstream demand from the construction and industrial sectors, coupled with cautious purchasing behaviour, limited significant market momentum. The textile industry provided some support, with a 15.6% rise in exports and improved branded apparel turnover fuelled by seasonal demand and strong online sales. However, higher shipping costs, fluctuating upstream methanol and acetic acid prices, and subdued foreign sales added pressure. Despite these challenges, stable manufacturing rates and reduced inventory levels helped stabilize the market, though ongoing volatility and demand constraints are expected to influence price trends in early 2025. However, downstream demand for PVA in construction and industrial sectors remained weak, limiting significant price momentum. Rising costs for upstream acetic acid and methanol offered limited support to market pricing.
Europe
In Q4 2024, Polyvinyl alcohol prices in Germany showed a consistent declining trend, primarily driven by lower feedstock Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) prices, oversupply, and weak demand from the construction sector. Prices were further pressured by subdued downstream activity in applications like paints and coatings, exacerbated by a significant contraction in the construction industry. Residential construction saw persistent weakness, while commercial activity faced its sharpest decline in months, and civil engineering posted moderate reductions. Rising costs, logistical challenges, and high interest rates continued to weigh heavily on market sentiment. Manufacturing activity in Germany and the broader Eurozone remained under pressure, with the key indexes indicating ongoing contraction. Stable plant operations and steady import flows ensured sufficient supply, but oversupply and weak new orders reflected the broader economic slowdown. Business confidence showed some improvement late in the quarter, though supply-side constraints and reduced purchasing activity limited recovery. Looking ahead, the construction sector's challenges, including high material costs and geopolitical uncertainties, are expected to persist, delaying significant recovery until 2025. Although higher upstream methanol prices may create upward pressure on production costs, weak downstream demand and cautious market activity are likely to keep Polyvinyl alcohol prices subdued in the short term.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the Polyvinyl Alcohol market in North America experienced a significant upward trend, primarily driven by a multitude of factors influencing market prices. The market saw a notable 9% increase in prices compared to the same quarter last year, with a 6% increase from the previous quarter in 2024.
This surge can be attributed to a combination of factors such as rising feedstock costs, strong demand from downstream industries, and supply chain disruptions. In the USA, which witnessed the most significant price changes, the market exhibited an overall positive trend with a 2% increase in prices between the first and second half of the quarter.
Furthermore, the demand from the textile industry increased throughout the quarter. The quarter-ending price for Polyvinyl Alcohol in the USA stood at USD 2490/MT, reflecting the ongoing bullish sentiment in the market. These price fluctuations are indicative of a stable and increasing pricing environment, driven by various market dynamics and external factors impacting the Polyvinyl Alcohol industry in the region.
APAC
The third quarter of 2024 witnessed a declining trend in Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) pricing across the APAC region. This decrease was primarily influenced by weakened demand from downstream industries, particularly the textile sector. Factors such as subdued industrial output growth, reduced export orders, and uncertainties in the global market landscape contributed to the downward pressure on PVA prices. In Japan, the market experienced the most significant price changes during this period. The quarter saw a 1% decrease in prices compared to the same quarter last year, reflecting the challenging market conditions. Additionally, there was a 0.1% increase in prices from the previous quarter in 2024, indicating a prolonged period of price stability. The price comparison between the first and second half of the quarter revealed a negative 1% change, highlighting the consistent downward trend in PVA prices. The quarter-ending price of USD 1875 per metric ton of Polyvinyl Alcohol FOB Tokyo signified the prevailing decreased sentiment in the pricing environment in Japan.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the Polyvinyl Alcohol market in Europe experienced a significant uptick in prices, driven by various factors. The market saw a notable 15% increase from the same quarter last year, indicating a positive trend. Influencing this surge were factors such as rising import costs, firm downstream demand, and stable production rates. The Netherlands, in particular, witnessed the most significant price changes, with a recorded 5% increase from the previous quarter in 2024. This increase was consistent with the overall trend observed in the region. Seasonal demand fluctuations and a correlation in price changes were evident, with a 2% increase noted between the first and second half of the quarter. The demand from the downstream textile industry has remained on the higher side throughout the quarter. The quarter-ending price of USD 3480/MT of Polyvinyl Alcohol CFR Rotterdam basis in the Netherlands reflected the overall bullish sentiment in the market, showcasing a favourable pricing environment with prices on the rise.
FAQs
1. What is the current Polyvinyl Alcohol Price Index?
o As of Q2 2025, average prices were USD 2,635/MT in the U.S., USD 3,194/MT in Germany, and USD 1,848/MT in China.
2. Who are the top Polyvinyl Alcohol producers globally?
o Major verified producers include Kuraray (Japan), Sekisui Chemical (Japan), Celanese (U.S.), Sinopec (China), and Anhui Wanwei (China), supplying both domestic and export markets.
3. What drives the Polyvinyl Alcohol Production Cost Trend globally?
o Key cost factors include vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) and acetic acid pricing, energy tariffs, logistics surcharges, and plant operating rates.
4. What is the Polyvinyl Alcohol Price Forecast for Q3 2025?
o Prices are expected to trend upward across all regions, supported by seasonal demand from adhesives, biodegradable films, and textiles, combined with tighter supply from plant turnarounds and rising feedstock costs.
