For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) market exhibited mixed pricing trends, with a gradual rise in prices during the first part of the quarter, followed by a slight correction towards the end. Supply constraints stemming from disruptions in ethylene production and elevated operational costs contributed to upward price pressure during the earlier months. Despite stable demand from key sectors like packaging, automotive, and medical, the market could not sustain its upward momentum as the quarter progressed.
The USA experienced significant fluctuations, with prices reaching their peak in August before a downturn in September. This shift was influenced by a seasonal slowdown in industrial activities, particularly in the automotive sector, which typically sees reduced demand in the latter part of the quarter. Manufacturers adjusted prices to align with these changes, focusing on inventory management and demand-side realities.
By the end of Q3, the price of Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) FOB USGC stood at 2,850 USD/MT, reflecting a balanced yet cautious market approach. The absence of plant shutdowns during the period indicates that market dynamics, rather than supply interruptions, were the primary drivers of price adjustments.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) market in the APAC region saw a mixed trend in pricing, with initial increases followed by a decline. The market faced challenges from global economic uncertainties, which led to a reduction in export demand, prompting price adjustments across the region. Additionally, logistical hurdles and supply chain disruptions influenced the overall market sentiment, creating an environment of price volatility. China, as a significant market within the APAC region, mirrored broader trends, experiencing the most pronounced price changes throughout the quarter. The early part of Q3 saw prices rise, driven by steady demand in domestic sectors, but this was offset by softer demand in export markets and mounting logistical issues, leading to a decline in August and September. Despite stability in certain industries, manufacturers had to adapt to fluctuating market conditions. By the end of Q3, the market settled at 2,700 USD/MT for Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) CFR Qingdao. This shift highlighted the challenges faced by the industry in balancing demand with evolving market dynamics, underscoring a cautious approach towards the final quarter of the year.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) market in Europe experienced a varied pricing trend, with an initial rise in prices followed by a downturn towards the end of the quarter. The pricing environment was shaped by several factors, including a reduction in new orders and weakened demand from key sectors such as construction and automotive. These sectors typically drive significant demand for POP, but economic uncertainties led to a more cautious approach among buyers, further affecting pricing dynamics. Germany, being a central player in the European market, saw the most pronounced price fluctuations. The country faced challenges such as supply chain disruptions and high energy costs, which put additional pressure on production activities. Despite these challenges, the supply remained relatively stable, with no major plant shutdowns reported during the quarter. The quarter ended with Polyolefin Plastomer prices at 2,700 USD/MT on an FD Hamburg basis, reflecting a shift from earlier gains. The overall sentiment in the market remained cautious, highlighting concerns about demand recovery and economic stability as the region adjusted to changing market conditions.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
The second quarter of 2024 has witnessed a significant upward trend in Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) pricing in the North American region, driven by various critical factors. A robust demand surge from the automotive and packaging sectors has been a predominant force, reflecting the necessity for high-performance materials amid increased production activities. The automotive industry's resilience, characterized by sustained growth and innovation, has noticeably amplified the demand for POP, essential for its use in flexible and durable automotive components. Further bolstering this upward trajectory, manufacturing levels have seen an appreciable climb, underscored by an increase in the Manufacturing PMI, indicating a positive outlook and expansion plans among manufacturers. Supply chain stability has also played a pivotal role, with consistent production efforts by leading industry players ensuring adequate availability despite sporadic disruptions due to rising freight costs.
Focusing on the USA, the country has experienced the most pronounced price changes, with an overall positive pricing environment. The price comparisons between the first and second halves of the quarter reveal a notable 2.5% increase, illustrating strong seasonality effects and sustained demand pressures. In contrast to the previous quarter, which saw a -1.5% change, the current quarter's pricing reflects an encouraging trend marked by resilience and market confidence.
Notably, there were no reported plant shutdowns during this quarter, indicating uninterrupted production activities contributing to stable supply levels. Conclusively, the latest quarter-ending price for POP in the USA stands at USD 2,870/MT FOB USGC, underscoring a consistent increase in market prices and an overall positive sentiment in the pricing environment.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) market in the APAC region experienced an overall positive pricing environment marked by significant upward trends. Various factors contributed to this increase, including robust demand from key sectors such as packaging, automotive, and construction. The industrial expansion and infrastructure advancements across the region further bolstered the market. The market's bullish sentiment was reinforced by stable production levels from major producers, despite occasional supply chain disruptions due to rising freight costs. Focusing on China, the country witnessed the most pronounced price changes due to its strong industrial activities and increased usage of POP in several high-demand sectors. The overall trend in China showed a consistent increase in pricing, driven by seasonal demand fluctuations and a robust correlation with manufacturing growth. The price comparison between the first and second half of the quarter indicated a 3.8% increase, reflecting heightened consumption patterns and strategic inventory management by suppliers. From the previous quarter, POP prices in China recorded a 1% increase, underscoring a stable upward trajectory. The latest quarter-ending price for Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) was USD 2,730 per MT on a CFR Qingdao basis, representing a significant rise influenced by sustained market demand and strategic supply chain adjustments. The market conditions for POP in China remained buoyant, with the increasing sentiment driven by favourable economic conditions and strong sectoral demand, despite the absence of significant plant shutdowns or operational disruptions during the quarter.
Europe
The second quarter of 2024 witnessed a notable increase in Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) prices across Europe, driven by several pivotal factors. Elevated upstream ethylene prices, coupled with a surge in demand from key industries like automotive and packaging, played a significant role in this upward trend. The robust demand, particularly from the automotive sector, which relies on POP for various components, and the packaging industry, known for its preference for POP's sealing and durability properties, underscored the market's bullish sentiment. Additionally, the persistent growth in manufacturing activities, reflected in rising PMI values, indicated stronger domestic demand, further amplifying the price increases. Focusing on Germany, which experienced the most substantial price changes in the region, the overall trend was characterized by a consistent increase. Seasonal factors, including heightened industrial activities during the beginning of the quarter, contributed significantly to the pricing dynamics. The correlation in price changes highlighted a positive sentiment, with prices escalating steadily. Compared to the first quarter of 2024, there was a 1% increase, while the price comparison between the first and second half of the quarter showed a notable 4% rise, indicating a strong upward momentum. Plant shutdowns and supply chain disruptions, particularly from major producers like BASF and SABIC, compounded the supply constraints, thereby pushing prices higher. The quarter concluded with the price of Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) FD Hamburg in Germany reaching USD 2,910/MT, reflecting a positive pricing environment driven by sustained demand and supply-side pressures. Overall, the pricing context for POP in Europe during Q2 2024 was marked by a robust and increasing trend, influenced by significant market dynamics and external factors.
For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
Throughout the first quarter of 2024, the North American Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) market found itself navigating a period of oversupply, which exerted downward pressure on prices. The market eventually found its footing with stabilized prices in March, holding at USD 2,800 per MT on FOB – USGC basis.
This plateau in pricing came amidst a landscape of moderate demand, particularly from sectors such as construction and consumer goods, which continued to show resilience. The industry was influenced by fluctuations in natural gas prices, underscoring the connection between energy markets and polymer pricing. Manufacturing activities, as indicated by the Purchasing Managers' Index, suggested a contraction with easing new orders, impacting the POP demand.
The slow growth in the service sector further complicated the market dynamics, leading to a mixed economic sentiment. Despite these challenges, the supply chain held strong, supported by significant producer efforts to meet both global and local demands. As the quarter concluded, the market reflected a complex interplay of robust demand in specific sectors juxtaposed with the overall environment of high inventories and tempered consumption.
APAC
In Q1 2024, the Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) market in the APAC region, and particularly in China, experienced relative stability with slight price adjustments. The prices in March remained consistent with those in January, signifying a period of equilibrium in the market. This stability came despite a downtrend in demand from significant sectors such as automotive, where both total vehicle sales and new energy vehicle sales declined substantially. On the production front, manufacturing activities showed resilience, with the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) hovering above the contraction threshold. While the automotive sector faced headwinds, the construction and consumer goods sectors sustained robust demand for POP, indicating a shift in sectoral performance affecting the overall market sentiment. The market dynamics were characterized by an oversupply situation, mainly due to high inventory levels, which put downward pressure on POP prices. Major industry players continued to play critical roles in the supply chain, ensuring adequate supply amidst varying demand across industries. The end of Q1 saw the market grappling with an intricate landscape of fluctuating demands, industry-specific needs, and the ongoing challenge of aligning supply with consumption patterns.
Europe
In the first quarter of 2024, the European market for Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) displayed a steady state of balance between demand and supply, particularly influenced by ongoing construction activities. Urbanization and an increase in disposable income played significant roles in driving the demand for POP within construction-related applications, helping to stabilize the market despite minor disruptions from other sectors. In Germany, the POP market was reflective of broader European trends, achieving a delicate equilibrium despite facing external economic pressures and supply chain variabilities. These factors introduced some volatility into market forecasts, though the overall conditions remained stable. The price of POP in March 2024 settled at USD 2820 per MT on FD – Hamburg basis, illustrating a slight adjustment and signalling a stable market outlook. Market sentiment varied, with robust demand from the construction sector counterbalancing challenges in the manufacturing and automotive sectors, which faced issues related to electric vehicle development and sales. Overall, the POP market in Europe managed to navigate through diverse demands and economic shifts, focusing on achieving long-term stability and responding adaptively to the changing economic landscape.
For the Quarter Ending December 2023
North America
The North American market for Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) in the fourth quarter of 2023 (Oct-Dec) was characterized by several key factors. This quarter, the market experienced stability with moderate supply and demand levels. The availability of inventory was sufficient, and industries operated with moderate supply rates. However, there were no reported plant shutdowns during this period.
Second, the demand for POP in the United States was influenced by the performance of the automotive industry. Despite a drop in light vehicle sales in October due to strikes at major automakers, the market rebounded in November with improved vehicle availability and increased sales. This contributed to the overall demand for POP in the US market.
Finally, in terms of pricing, there was a slight decrease of 2% from the previous quarter. In Dec 2023, a price of POP in USA was assessed by USD 3200/MT FOB USGC. Overall, the POP market in North America during the fourth quarter of 2023 was characterized by stability in supply and demand, with the automotive industry playing a significant role in driving demand in the US market.
APAC
Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) pricing in the APAC region during the fourth quarter of 2023 was influenced by several key factors. In Oct 2023, the Chinese market, which experienced strong demand for POP due to the growth in the automotive sector. The Chinese government's incentive policies and improving economic climate led to a surge in consumer demand for passenger vehicles, resulting in increased demand for POP. Additionally, the introduction of tax breaks for new energy vehicle purchases further stimulated the market. However, the overall demand for POP was moderated by the sluggish performance of the construction industry. Furthermore, the price of POP in China showed a 5% decrease in the second half of the quarter compared to the first half. This can be attributed to the seasonal market trend, with the growth in the downstream automotive industry remaining flat. In terms of pricing trends, the price of POP in China experienced a slight decrease of 3% compared to the previous quarter. This decline can be attributed to the destocking of inventories as manufacturers and traders focused on clearing out their stocks. In terms of year-on-year price changes, the price of POP in China saw a 7% increase compared to the same quarter in the previous year. This highlights the overall growth in the market. However, it is important to note that these price changes are specific to China and may vary in other countries within the APAC region. In Dec 2023, the price of POP in China is USD 2670/MT CFR Qingdao.
Europe
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the European market for Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) witnessed a challenging period. The market was impacted by several factors that influenced the pricing and demand for POP. In this quarter, the German automotive industry, a major consumer of POP, experienced a decline in new car registrations, leading to subdued demand for POP in Germany. Additionally, the European construction industry faced uncertainties, with reduced demand for new buildings due to rising interest rates and expensive materials. This further contributed to the weakened demand for POP in the region. Moreover, the global supply chain faced disruptions, causing moderate supply levels of POP. However, no plant shutdowns were reported during this period. In terms of pricing trends, the price of POP in Germany remained relatively stable throughout the quarter, with a slight decrease of 3% compared to the previous quarter. Overall, the European POP market faced challenges in the fourth quarter of 2023, with subdued demand from the automotive and construction sectors. The pricing of POP remained relatively stable in Germany, reflecting the market conditions and the lack of significant price fluctuations. In Dec 2023, the price of POP in Germany was USD 2850/MT FD Hamburg.
