Price Reports May 2026

The following information is provided by Plastics Information Europe.  For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read entire versions of the following reports, go to www.pieweb.com and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!

Articles: May 2026
Standards Thermoplastics Engineering thermoplastics Polyurethane Feedstocks	Composites/GRP Standard Recyclate Engineering Recyclate

 

 

  Standard thermoplastics May: Demand weakens, supply improves / June outlook turns bearish as feedstock costs ease, imports return / Converters destock as summer lull sets in across PE, PP, PVC, styrenics, and PET

PE: Price agreements concluded in May varied considerably. Where producers had already applied significant increases in the last two months, they were now prepared to grant their customers a rollover. Other agreements followed the development of ethylene (up EUR 100/t) and factored in the cost increases. Despite continuing production cutbacks, the availability of some materials improved and suppliers had no difficulty fulfilling their contracts. Order intake for many processors weakened, as customers were no longer engaging in panic buying and thus inventory restocking came to an end. In addition, some companies took advantage of the public holidays and bridge days in May to temporarily suspend their production. And what can be expected in June? After four consecutive months of increases, the ethylene contract was fixed EUR 50/t lower. In combination with weak demand ahead of the summer holidays, this could indicate significant downward price adjustments. Furthermore, the first import volumes are expected to return to the market. If these shipments do indeed arrive, they could increase supply and push the market towards oversupply. Nevertheless, ordering activity is expected to remain at a low level. Converters are focused on lowering their stocks and will likely order only what they absolutely need.

PP: Price developments varied considerably in May. While the cost pass-through of propylene (up by EUR 120/t) was fixed in some negotiations, other processors were only able to achieve a rollover for standard compounds. Overall, producers were faced with declining demand. Although production continued to be affected, the supply situation in Europe eased slightly. Nevertheless, many processors had major problems passing on the sharp rise in costs to their customers. The resulting reluctance to buy and the low number of production days in May noticeably curtailed demand. After four consecutive months of price increases, the contract for the precursor propylene was adjusted downwards by EUR 30/t. This opens the door to correcting the price level for polypropylene. Significantly more imports are expected in June. As production in Asia is also restricted by the conflict in the Middle East, it remains to be seen what volumes will actually arrive. The statements regarding the development of demand are uniformly negative. The development of prices for reinforced compounds was more dramatic: producers once again had to pass on increased costs to their customers – even at the risk of suppressing demand altogether through price increases of around EUR 350/t. Capacity utilisation across most production lines remained stable at a low level. Many processors were keeping a close eye on developments. Prices are likely to rise again in June, but only slightly. No momentum is expected in terms of ordering activity.

PVC: The market calmed significantly in May. Although the sharp increase in the ethylene contract (up EUR 100/t) created further upward pressure, unlike in the previous month most suppliers limited themselves to passing on the higher raw material costs, i.e. they passed through roughly half of the C2 increase. At the same time, demand weakened noticeably. Many processors purchased only to cover their immediate requirements. In particular, the pipe segment reported increasing reluctance to buy. Meanwhile, the supply situation was considerably more relaxed than in the previous month. In addition to the existing production cutbacks, output was reduced only by maintenance work at one plant and an unplanned production outage. Nevertheless, sufficient material remained available. For June, there are growing signs of a reversal in price trends. Following the end of the ethylene price rally and the settlement of the contract for the upstream product at EUR 1,645/t, EUR 50/t lower than previously, processors are expected to continue restricting purchasing activity to immediate requirements while reducing existing inventories. Suppliers seeking to place volumes will therefore increasingly have to consider making price concessions. No additional demand stimulus is currently in sight.

Styrenics: Prices continued to trend upwards in May 2026. The level of premiums for polystyrene was generally based on the recent increase in the SM reference (up EUR 55/t). Premiums for EPS were sometimes below this level, depending on the respective supplier and previous pricing. ABS, by contrast, became more expensive, as the costs of the other key components butadiene (up EUR 200/t) and ACN (up EUR 168/t) increased much more sharply than the styrene price. The availability of materials improved noticeably. At the same time, demand declined, as the high price level deterred many processors from ordering more material than was necessary to keep up operations. In addition, many of them have ample stocks following the hedging purchases of the previous months. The upward momentum in styrenics prices has now slowed considerably. Although the SM spot price increased by a further EUR 15/t in June, it remains questionable whether this modest rise will be reflected in market prices, given the approaching summer slowdown. Even less change is expected for ABS prices, as the June declines in butadiene (down EUR 40/t) and ACN (down EUR 11/t) offset the higher cost of styrene.

PET: What had previously seemed like an extremely precarious situation on the European PET market eased considerably in May 2026 – much more rapidly than expected. On the supply side, significant declines in Asian production chains took everyone by surprise, resulting in falling import prices from East Asia. At the same time, customers adopted a more realistic approach after two months of panic buying to secure supplies. Fears of material shortages evaporated in light of the ongoing subdued demand during the peak season. While warehouses are now filled with expensive raw materials, the coffers are empty. And, as a result, some major buyers have already secured initial concessions from suppliers. Across the market as a whole, however, slight increases were seen again, particularly in the first half of the month. From the current perspective at the end of May, no major hikes are to be expected in June. All the signs point to a further easing. Given the unstable global situation, however, nothing is certain. Much will depend on what happens on the Asian markets.

For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read the entire report, go to www.ki.de and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!
 

 

 

 

 

Engineering thermoplastics May: Prices move in different directions / Calls for significant increases plus weak demand mostly limit price rises / Further slowdown expected in June

In May, the market for engineering thermoplastics developed in different directions depending on the type. Producers’ substantial price increase demands were met with only very limited willingness on the part of converters to accept them. Many converters simply cannot afford the increases, as there is a lack of orders from customer sectors.

One clear trend emerged: the lower the producer’s degree of backward integration, the larger the increases. The limited situation affecting several base polymers continued, forcing production cutbacks. Imports from Asia arrived in Europe only in negligible quantities.

Minimal demand from end markets also kept converters’ ordering activity at a low level. As a result, purchasing behaviour remained unchanged from the previous month. Buyers purchased only what they absolutely needed.

The price upswing is likely to remain intact in June, although the already elevated prices levels are having a significant dampening effect on demand.

Car producers are also cutting back on their orders. Imports that have already been announced will likely keep price increases within narrow limits. On the converter side, no improvement in the situation is to be expected. With weak demand from customer markets, companies will likely continue to buy only what they absolutely need and try to pass on the cost increases to their customers.

 

 

 

 

 

 Polyurethane feedstocks May: Prices rise significantly once more / Processors ordering and producing with extreme restraint / Global situation leads to expectations of rollover in June

The benzene contract, which rose only slightly by EUR 32/t, did not prevent producers from demanding significantly higher premiums for their material. This was mainly achieved by pointing to the supposedly limited nature of the supply. Contracts could nevertheless be fulfilled without any noticeable difficulty, although the plants were only operating at reduced levels. Processors acted with much more caution than before due to rising costs.

The outlook for the coming month is extremely challenging. On the one hand, prices in Asia are already falling significantly, and material is also being traded at a lower price level in Turkey. On the other hand, producers would like to raise prices again and can rely on the reality that imports with significantly more favourable prices will not be reaching the domestic markets in larger quantities until the end of July or beginning of August. The PIE Price Team is therefore assuming a rollover for the next month.

Many processors have reached their limit. They cannot adjust sales prices quickly enough to at least pass on their cost increases. At the same time, they are faced with constantly growing competition from Asia, which can produce with cheaper raw materials.

For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read the entire report, go to www.ki.de and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!

 

 

 Composites/GRP May: No end to upward trend for resins in sight / Low-priced imports keep some glass fibre prices unchanged / No stimuli from application markets

Although the price of the main feedstock, styrene, rose only slightly, shortages of other precursors and intermediate products triggered significant price increases for medium-reactive ortho resins again. In May, hikes of up to EUR 250/t were implemented in some cases. For June, individual producers have already asked for further hikes of up to EUR 400/t. Since propylene glycol is also likely to be in short supply due to competition from the cosmetics industry, there is still no end to the upward price trend in sight.

Converters will likely be adopting an even more cautious and hesitant approach than they have so far. No momentum from customer industries is expected before the summer holidays now.

Glass fibre products presented a mixed picture. Prices for chopped strand mats remained unchanged on average, while those for roving rose significantly. The situation is unlikely to change much in June – with prices remaining stable for chopped strand mats and a renewed price increase for roving.

For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read the entire report, go to www.ki.de and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!

 

  Standard recyclate May: Prices trending up, but financial pressure remains / Weaker order intake among processors / Recyclate gains importance as a feedstock

Despite a balanced market and the uncertain availability of virgin material, not all recyclers were able to push through their price demands in full. Recyclers who managed to transfer the full cost increase of bale material were the exception, rather than the rule. That said, recyclers were busy and able to keep their output stable. Contracts were fulfilled at all times. However, there was often not enough material available for additional volumes. PET was a special case: the market for PET was not balanced, driving prices further upwards.

In contrast, incoming orders among processors have weakened slightly. Nevertheless, they ordered more material and stocked up to secure volumes.

Next month, too, might have to see rising prices. Otherwise, the economic pressure on recyclers would hardly be sustainable. Even now, many companies are already struggling. It is high time that they succeed in passing on their costs to the market. Bale material will therefore likely become even more expensive, and recyclers urgently need these price increases to be reflected in the market.

That this will nevertheless be a difficult undertaking is clear to everyone. One consolation is that as long as the supply of virgin material remains tight, recyclates will continue to benefit and will finally be recognised in Europe as an important feedstock.

 

For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read the entire report, go to www.ki.de and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!

 

   Engineering recyclate May: Prices continue to climb / Availability reduced / Upward trend likely to continue into June

Prices for engineering recyclate rose sharply across the board in May. In many cases, reduced supply met with strong demand, meaning that processors focused on securing volumes had to absorb average premiums of between EUR 80/t and EUR 120/t, depending on the material. In many instances, recyclers were only able to supply their regular customers, while new customers were left empty-handed.

The upward price trend is likely to continue until the beginning of summer, as volumes will generally remain scarce due to the limited influx of waste and continuing robust demand. However, some processors will no longer be able to source material at any price, as they are increasingly encountering problems with the necessary expansion of credit lines.

For more than 35 years, PIE has been an invaluable source of information for European plastics industry decision makers - a quick, yet in-depth look at the development of plastics markets and polymer prices. Available online 24/7 and as a printed newsletter twice a month. To read the entire report, go to www.ki.de and sign up for a 48-hour free trial!