For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• The Recycled Linear Low Density Polyethylene (R-LLDPE) Price Index in USA was stable to slightly firm in Q3 2025, reflecting steady demand from packaging and construction sectors.
• The R-LLDPE Spot Price in the U.S. remained supported by seasonal usage and firm downstream orders.
• The R-LLDPE Production Cost Trend was slightly higher, influenced by transportation and logistics costs as well as localized tightness in bale supplies.
• The R-LLDPE Price Forecast pointed to stable to slightly firm levels into Q4 2025, supported by sustainability mandates, recycled content targets, and steady procurement.
• Recyclers benefited from stable bale collection, though higher freight costs added mild pressure. Imports and domestic supply balanced the market.
Why did the price of Recycled Linear Low Density Polyethylene change in September 2025 in North America?
• Market sentiment shifted to cautious stability in September, as downstream companies slowed procurement after summer demand peaks.
• Feedstock and logistics costs kept the Production Cost Trend elevated during the month.
• Steady demand from packaging and agriculture-maintained baseline offtake, preventing volatility despite cautious inventory management.
APAC
• In China, R-LLDPE Price Index rose by 6.4% quarter-over-quarter, driven by tightening domestic supply.
• The average R-LLDPE price for the quarter was approximately USD 738.33/MT on FOB-Tianjin basis.
• R-LLDPE Spot Price firming reflected higher import freight and tighter availability, supporting seller offers.
• R-LLDPE Price Forecast signals modest upside from seasonal agro and e-commerce restocking into autumn demand.
• R-LLDPE Production Cost Trend stayed stable as feedstock and processing margins remained contained overall.
• R-LLDPE Price Index gains were supported by inventory draws and improving export flows to Southeast Asia.
• Major producers kept operations normal while selective stocking and bonded-zone activity moderated immediate supply availability.
Why did the price of LLDPE change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Supply tightened due to lower spot availability and moderate plant operations, reducing immediate market liquidity.
• Higher freight charges increased import costs, tightening effective supply and incentivising sellers to raise offers.
• Balanced demand from packaging and agriculture supported prices, while cautious buyer behaviour limited aggressive restocking.
Europe
• In Germany, the R-LLDPE Price Index rose by 5.7% quarter-over-quarter, supported by stronger packaging demand.
• The average R-LLDPE price for the quarter was approximately USD 1115.00/MT on FOB-Hamburg basis.
• R-LLDPE Spot Price remained range-bound as imports and wash-line throughput persisted, supporting steady availability locally.
• R-LLDPE Price Forecast shows mild near-term upside as restocking meets elevated inventories and converter demand.
• R-LLDPE Production Cost Trend softened as lower energy and feedstock costs eased recycler operational burdens.
• R-LLDPE Price Index faced upward pressure as PCR grades and manufacturer buying tightened availability regionally.
• Export demand and logistics supported clearances, limiting downside for R-LLDPE Spot Price.
Why did the price of R-LLDPE change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Improved bale collection and steady domestic production tightened availability, supporting higher prices in September.
• Seasonal restocking and export inquiries increased offtake, while rising PCR grades created mixed price impulses.
MEA
• In Saudi Arabia, R-LLDPE Price Index rose marginally by 0.5% quarter-over-quarter on demand.
• The average R-LLDPE price for the quarter was approximately USD 907.33/MT on spot ex-Riyadh basis.
• R-LLDPE Spot Price firmed while the Price Index remained range-bound amid stable supply.
• R-LLDPE Production Cost Trend eased as feedstock bale availability increased, lowering recyclers' cost.
• R-LLDPE Demand Outlook remains steady for packaging, while FMCG demand supports offtake.
• R-LLDPE Price Forecast indicates Q4 gains if mandates and feedstock stability persist.
• Elevated run-rates and steady imports increased immediate availability, while recyclers adjusted runs to manage stock.
Why did the price of R-LLDPE change in September 2025 in MEA?
• Oversupply and high inventories pressured spot values, despite steady downstream demand and export competition.
• Stable feedstock bale prices lowered production cost pressure, reducing urgency and capping upward price moves.
• Smooth logistics and port clearances increased imports, keeping availability high and tempering near-term price momentum.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The R-LLDPE Spot Price in the USA witnessed a consistent upward movement across Q2 2025, as reflected in the Price Index, which rose moderately throughout the quarter.
• In April, strong demand from the film packaging and agricultural mulch sectors supported price gains amid stable bale collection.
• May saw continued strength due to seasonal usage and firm converter orders. June extended this trajectory as tight bale supplies and increased resin orders kept price sentiment positive.
• The R-LLDPE Production Cost Trend moved slightly higher due to transportation cost increases and elevated processing overheads in certain recycling hubs.
• The R-LLDPE Demand Outlook remained healthy, with agricultural films, stretch wrap, and industrial packaging sustaining procurement momentum.
• Moderate export inquiries, particularly from Latin America, contributed to the strong domestic sentiment.
Why did R-LLDPE prices in North America change in July 2025?
• In July 2025, the Price Index continued to rise slightly as companies had built inventories ahead of Q3 packaging demand.
• The Q3 R-LLDPE Price Forecast indicates growth, driven by robust film sector consumption and moderate cost-side pressure.
APAC
• The R-LLDPE Spot Price in China remained largely stable throughout Q2 2025, while the Price Index showed a narrow range of movement.
• In April, stable collection volumes and reduced downstream activity kept prices muted.
• May brought a modest price uptick due to stronger demand from flexible packaging and food-contact applications.
• In June, prices stabilized once more, as demand and supply reached equilibrium.
• The R-LLDPE Production Cost Trend remained flat during the quarter, as consistent raw material sourcing and process efficiencies offset fluctuations in energy rates.
• The R-LLDPE Demand Outlook was steady, supported by local converters in flexible packaging and stretch film.
Why did R-LLDPE prices in APAC remain flat in July 2025?
• The Price Index stayed flat in July 2025 due to stable offtake and consistent supply chain throughput.
• The Q3 R-LLDPE Price Forecast suggests the prices to be stable, as demand from packaging persists amid balanced bale recovery.
Europe
• The R-LLDPE Spot Price in Germany fell marginally over Q2 2025, with the Price Index exhibiting a slight downward curve due to reduced downstream activity and elevated inventory levels.
• In April, a moderate surplus in supply and weak restocking behaviour kept prices low.
• May continued the soft tone amid cautious procurement and delayed orders from large companies.
• In June, the market remained average as demand stayed flat and imports from neighbouring EU regions added to competitive pressure.
• The R-LLDPE Production Cost Trend was stable, though profitability was squeezed due to lower resale prices and static processing costs.
• The R-LLDPE Demand Outlook remained weak, with major packaging converters operating at reduced rates.
• Regulatory mandates on recycled content offered some support, but overall momentum was lacking amid macroeconomic uncertainty.
Why did R-LLDPE prices in Europe remain flat in July 2025?
• The Price Index stabilized in July 2025 as downstream buyers began cautiously replenishing stocks in anticipation of a Q3 rebound.
• The Q3 R-LLDPE Price Forecast indicates a slight rebound, as regulatory buying and export interest begin to recover gradually.
MEA
• The R-LLDPE Spot Price in Saudi Arabia held steady across Q2 2025, and the Price Index showed minimal change throughout the quarter.
• April’s market remained flat, supported by regular procurement from packaging and agricultural film sectors.
• In May and June, the market maintained a neutral tone as downstream offtake met forecasted levels and bale availability stayed steady.
• The R-LLDPE Production Cost Trend was stable as energy and feedstock costs remained favourable. No major disruptions were reported in the recycling or production processes.
• The R-LLDPE Demand Outlook was balanced, with consistent domestic usage in food packaging, irrigation films, and logistics materials.
Why did R-LLDPE prices in MEA remain flat in July 2025?
• The Price Index stayed flat in July 2025 as demand from film companies matched output levels across domestic facilities.
• The Q3 R-LLDPE Price Forecast indicates stable prices, with potential growth from agricultural demand and government sustainability initiatives.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The Recycled-Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (R-LLDPE) market in North America exhibited a mixed trend throughout Q1 2025, with demand fluctuations across packaging, agriculture, and industrial applications. Particularly in USA, during January, prices remained stable as continuous procurement from packaging and film sectors balanced the supply conditions. However, February saw a moderate price increase, driven by rising feedstock costs and improved demand from food packaging and other downstream industries. The growth in retail activities across the region contributed to increased consumption, reinforcing the market stability.
By March, the market faced supply constraints due to logistical disruptions and limited availability of post-consumer LLDPE bales, leading to tighter inventory levels. Despite this, demand from multilayer film applications and industrial packaging remained firm, preventing sharp price corrections. Competitive pricing strategies among recyclers helped maintain market equilibrium, while sustainability initiatives encouraged steady adoption of recycled grades.
Overall, the North American R-LLDPE producers overcame supply chain challenges strategically, ensuring controlled inventory management and stable pricing trends during the quarter.
APAC
The R-LLDPE market in China experienced a continuous decline throughout Q1 2025, driven by reduced demand in key downstream sectors such as construction and packaging. In January, prices decreased by 6.3%, primarily due to the lower pace of post-holiday restocking and average procurement activities. February saw further reduction in costs, as excess inventory levels and hesitant buyer sentiment limited any recovery. Despite stable feedstock ethylene prices, bearish macroeconomic conditions kept prices under pressure, with the competition from virgin LLDPE market further reducing the demand in recycled grades. In India, the R-LLDPE market maintained relative stability, with early February registering a 1.7% price increase, supported by steady packaging and automobile demand. However, the competition from virgin LLDPE and other alternative markets caused a mild correction later in the month. By March, seasonal packaging demand contributed to a slight recovery, but cautious purchasing behaviour kept the price growth limited. While supply disruptions were manageable, the overall market momentum remained constrained by reduced end-user activity, preventing strong upward movements.
Europe
The R-LLDPE market in Europe experienced growth in early Q1, supported by steady demand from packaging and consumer goods industries. Especially in Germany, during January, prices increased by 1.2%, driven by tight recyclate availability and cautious procurement strategies among manufacturers. However, February saw a more balanced market, with stable supply conditions preventing significant price fluctuations. March witnessed stronger downward pressure, with an oversupply situation leading to a significant 5.3% price correction by the quarter-end. Reduced demand from automobile applications, along with the competition from virgin LLDPE market, contributed to the bearish sentiment. Inventory accumulation across downstream companies further intensified the decreasing trend, as buyers refrained from bulk purchasing due to uncertain macroeconomic signals. Recyclers faced margin pressures as post-consumer waste supply improved, increasing the availability and reducing the price trends. While packaging sector demand remained a stabilizing force, overall market fundamentals weakened toward the quarter-end, preventing any strong recovery in pricing. So, the R-LLDPE market closed the quarter on a bearish tone, with the translucent pellets grade getting traded at USD 1,065 per MT.
MEA
The R-LLDPE market in the MEA region showed a firm trend throughout Q1 2025, supported by steady demand and controlled supply conditions. Especially in Saudi Arabia, during January, purchase activity remained stable across packaging and automobile companies, supported by competitive feedstock pricing from Saudi Aramco, ensuring consistent production economics. February maintained a balanced outlook, with no significant supply disruptions, allowing the R-LLDPE market to hold steady. By March, tight domestic availability and strong Ramadan-season demand resulted in a 3.3% price increase, reinforcing bullish sentiment. Supply pressures were further intensified by limited import volumes, while higher freight rates contributed to increased shipping costs. Market participants strategically managed their inventory levels, preventing excess accumulation. Recyclers overcame fluctuating raw material prices cautiously, ensuring steady sales despite external macroeconomic uncertainties. Saudi recyclers maintained a controlled approach towards maintaining their stock levels. The overall R-LLDPE market outlook remained stable yet firm, with steady buying activity and price growth ending the quarter on a bullish tone.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the R-LLDPE market in North America faced a challenging landscape marked by fluctuating demand and increasing competition from virgin LLDPE. The packaging sector, a major consumer of R-LLDPE, experienced a slowdown as economic uncertainties led to reduced consumer spending and cautious inventory management among manufacturers. This resulted in a significant buildup of unsold stock, prompting producers to offer aggressive pricing strategies to clear excess inventory.
Additionally, the automotive industry, which also utilizes R-LLDPE for components like fuel tanks and protective covers, saw diminished production rates due to supply chain disruptions and rising costs. Environmental regulations continued to push companies towards sustainable practices; however, the transition was hampered by the cost differential between recycled and virgin materials.
By December, while some manufacturers reported slight increases in orders driven by renewed interest in sustainable packaging solutions, overall market sentiment remained cautious. Stakeholders anticipated gradual recovery in 2025 as investments in recycling technologies and infrastructure were expected to enhance the quality and availability of R-LLDPE, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
APAC
In Q4 2024, the R-LLDPE market in the APAC region, particularly in China, experienced a notable transformation driven by increasing environmental awareness and regulatory initiatives promoting recycling. The demand for recycled linear low-density polyethylene (R-LLDPE) surged as manufacturers across various sectors, including packaging, construction, and agriculture, sought to incorporate sustainable materials into their products. This shift was bolstered by government policies aimed at reducing plastic waste and enhancing recycling infrastructure.
However, challenges persisted due to fluctuating raw material costs and competition from virgin LLDPE, which sometimes offered lower prices. Logistical issues also impacted supply chains, particularly in sourcing high-quality recycled materials. By December, many companies were investing in advanced recycling technologies to improve R-LLDPE quality and expand production capacity.
Despite these obstacles, the overall market sentiment remained positive as stakeholders anticipated continued growth into 2025. Enhanced collaboration between governments and industries was expected to strengthen recycling systems and collection networks, ultimately supporting a more robust R-LLDPE market aligned with global sustainability goals and circular economy initiatives.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the R-LLDPE market in Europe faced significant challenges primarily due to economic uncertainties impacting key industries such as automotive and packaging. The automotive sector experienced a decline in production rates as manufacturers dealt with supply chain disruptions and reduced consumer demand for new vehicles. This downturn resulted in decreased orders for R-LLDPE used in automotive applications like interior components and bumpers.
Conversely, the packaging industry remained relatively stable amid growing e-commerce activity. R-LLDPE was increasingly utilized for protective packaging solutions; however, stringent regulations regarding plastic waste prompted many companies to explore alternative materials while enhancing their sustainability practices. By December, manufacturers grappled with high inventory levels due to decreased consumption across various sectors.
Despite these hurdles, there was cautious optimism regarding future growth driven by innovations in sustainable materials and recycling initiatives. Stakeholders expected that regulatory support for eco-friendly practices would significantly influence market dynamics moving into 2025 as industries adapt to stricter environmental standards across Europe’s diverse markets.
MEA
In Q4 2024, the R-LLDPE market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) demonstrated resilience amid evolving consumer preferences and regulatory pressures. Countries such as Saudi Arabia made significant advancements in their recycling capabilities as part of broader sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact. This focus on eco-friendly practices led to a growing demand for R-LLDPE across various sectors, particularly in packaging applications where recycled content is increasingly favoured.
Despite these positive trends, the market faced challenges from fluctuating oil prices that impacted the cost competitiveness of virgin LLDPE compared to recycled alternatives. Additionally, logistical issues related to transportation and distribution hindered the efficiency of R-LLDPE supply chains in some areas.
By December, while some manufacturers reported reduced margins due to aggressive pricing from virgin LLDPE producers, overall market sentiment remained stable. Stakeholders anticipated gradual recovery into 2025 as investments in recycling infrastructure expanded and public awareness of environmental issues continued to grow. Collaborative efforts between governments and private sectors were expected to enhance the region’s capacity to meet rising demand for sustainable materials.
