East Asia Olefins and Derivatives: Feedstock Volatility Reshapes July 2026 Pricing

East Asian olefins and derivatives reversed early-summer declines in July as crude and feedstock costs increased, even as downstream markets entered their seasonal slowdown.

Key Takeaways

• Petrochemical prices peaked near the end of May, then declined as supply chains loosened and energy costs fell.
• East Asian ethylene reached roughly $800 per metric ton CFR Northeast Asia on July 6 before rebounding to about $925 by July 17.
• Propylene was firmer than ethylene because of tighter feedstock supply and relatively resilient polypropylene.

Prices Fell into Early July Before Rebounding

Petrochemical prices peaked near the end of May, then declined as supply chains loosened and energy costs fell. By mid-July, renewed disruption pushed crude and several derivative markets higher again.

Ethylene and Glycols

East Asian ethylene reached roughly $800 per metric ton CFR Northeast Asia on July 6 before rebounding to about $925 by July 17. Chinese ethylene oxide moved more slowly, while monoethylene glycol recovered from approximately $495 per metric ton CFR China on July 2 to about $590 by July 17. Diethylene glycol remained comparatively tight because of very low regional operating rates.

Propylene and Acrylates

Propylene was firmer than ethylene because of tighter feedstock supply and relatively resilient polypropylene. East Asian propylene rose from around $865 per metric ton CFR Northeast Asia in late June to about $1,010 by July 17. East China acrylic acid and butyl acrylate also rebounded from early-July lows.

MMA Remained Slower to Respond

Southeast Asian methyl methacrylate supply remained comfortable, allowing prices to decline gradually from roughly $2,300–2,400 per metric ton in April to $1,700–1,800 in July.

H2 Outlook

Energy and logistics risk may keep prices firm in the short term, but the summer demand slowdown will test producers’ ability to pass through higher costs.