Ethylene prices showed a predominantly upward regional trend in August 2026, with Southeast Asia recording the strongest increase at 16.7%, followed by Europe at 12.8% and Northeast Asia at 11.4%. Prices reached USD 1.32/KG in Europe and USD 0.98/KG in both Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia. North America moved differently, declining 1.7% to USD 0.57/KG, making it the lowest-priced market among the tracked regions.
The August market was shaped by feedstock costs, cracker operating conditions, derivative demand, inventories, and regional supply availability. Polyethylene, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, styrene, and other downstream sectors remained important demand centers. Procurement conditions were particularly firm across Asian markets, while North America's relatively lower price reflected its different feedstock structure and comparatively softer market balance.
Regional Ethylene Prices Outlook – August 2026: Where Are Prices Highest?
Northeast Asia: USD 0.98/KG (11.4% ↑ Up)
Europe: USD 1.32/KG (12.8% ↑ Up)
Southeast Asia: USD 0.98/KG (16.7% ↑ Up)
North America: USD 0.57/KG (-1.7% ↓ Down)
Europe recorded the highest ethylene price at USD 1.32/KG, while North America recorded the lowest at USD 0.57/KG. Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia both stood at USD 0.98/KG, although Southeast Asia experienced the strongest monthly increase.
The regional spread reflected differences in feedstock economics, cracker utilization, import requirements, downstream operating rates, and logistics. European pricing remained sensitive to naphtha-based production costs and supply availability, while North America's ethane-based production structure supported a lower cost position. In Asia, operational constraints and firm downstream requirements contributed to upward pricing pressure.
Regional Price Analysis of Ethylene Prices – August 2026
Northeast Asia
Northeast Asia recorded ethylene prices of USD 0.98/KG, increasing by 11.4% during August. The upward movement reflected firmer regional supply conditions and higher feedstock-related cost pressure.
Demand from polyethylene, ethylene oxide, styrene, and other derivatives supported purchasing activity. Buyers remained attentive to cracker operating rates, inventory levels, and import economics. Procurement strategies focused on securing material against potentially tighter spot availability while maintaining flexibility around downstream production schedules.
Europe
Europe recorded ethylene prices of USD 1.32/KG, rising by 12.8% and becoming the highest-priced market among the reported regions. The increase reflected firmer supply conditions and higher production-cost pressure associated with naphtha-based cracking.
Demand from polyethylene, ethylene oxide, vinyl chloride monomer, and other chemical derivatives remained important. Buyers continued to monitor cracker operations, feedstock costs, and import alternatives. Procurement remained focused on maintaining reliable supply while managing elevated input costs.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia recorded ethylene prices of USD 0.98/KG, increasing by 16.7%, the strongest upward movement among the four markets. Regional pricing was supported by tighter availability and firm feedstock economics.
Polyethylene and other downstream derivative producers remained important consumers. Buyers continued to assess imported cargoes, local cracker availability, and downstream margins when determining procurement volumes. Operational disruptions and constrained availability contributed to stronger purchasing pressure during the month.
North America
North America recorded ethylene prices of USD 0.57/KG, declining by 1.7%. The region remained structurally different from naphtha-dependent markets because of its significant ethane-based feedstock advantage.
Demand from polyethylene, ethylene oxide, and other derivatives remained important, although pricing conditions were comparatively softer. Procurement managers continued to balance downstream requirements with available domestic supply, while feedstock economics supported a comparatively lower regional cost structure.
Supply and Demand Overview – August 2026
Ethylene supply remained closely connected to steam cracker operating rates, feedstock availability, maintenance schedules, plant reliability, and regional inventory levels. Naphtha prices remained particularly relevant in Europe and Asia, while ethane availability continued to influence North American production economics. Operational constraints at crackers in parts of Asia also contributed to tighter regional availability.
Demand intensity across major downstream industries remained as follows:
Polyethylene: Strong demand
Ethylene Oxide & Derivatives: Strong demand
Styrene & Derivatives: Consistent demand
Vinyl Chloride Monomer: Stable demand
Ethylene Glycol: Moderate to strong demand
The overall supply-demand balance remained regionally uneven. Asian markets experienced stronger upward price pressure, supported by supply constraints and feedstock costs, while Europe also recorded significant appreciation. North America remained comparatively softer, reflecting its lower-cost feedstock structure and different regional supply balance.
Key Factors Affecting Prices – Monthly Perspective
Raw Material Availability: Naphtha, ethane, propane, and other cracker feedstocks directly influence ethylene production costs and operating economics.
Downstream Demand: Polyethylene, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, styrene, and other derivative sectors remained key sources of ethylene consumption.
Logistics: Import cargo availability, shipping costs, port conditions, and regional distribution influenced delivered ethylene pricing, particularly across import-dependent Asian markets.
Energy Costs: Steam cracking and downstream processing require substantial energy inputs, making natural gas, electricity, and fuel costs relevant to producer margins.
Trade Dynamics: Regional import flows, export availability, arbitrage economics, and differences in feedstock structures contributed to significant variations in regional pricing.
Recent Developments (August Highlights)
Asian ethylene prices strengthened as feedstock costs increased and regional spot availability remained constrained.
Operational issues at several Asian crackers contributed to tighter supply conditions and supported procurement activity.
European ethylene prices increased as production economics and supply conditions placed upward pressure on regional quotations.
North American prices moved lower as the region maintained a comparatively competitive feedstock position and a different supply-demand balance.
Overall, August produced a predominantly firm ethylene market, with Asia and Europe registering notable increases while North America experienced a modest decline.
For detailed insights, charts, and forecasts, explore: https://www.imarcgroup.com/ethylene-pricing-report/requestsample
Ethylene Price Chart Analysis – Monthly Movement
The Ethylene Price Chart for August 2026 shows a clear regional divergence. Europe maintained the highest price at USD 1.32/KG, while Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia both reached USD 0.98/KG. North America remained substantially lower at USD 0.57/KG.
Early August: Market direction was influenced by rising feedstock costs, cracker operating conditions, downstream purchasing requirements, and regional inventories.
Mid-August: Asian markets experienced stronger pricing pressure as supply constraints and feedstock costs encouraged higher quotations, while buyers remained cautious about forward commitments.
Late August: Regional divergence persisted, with Europe and Asian markets maintaining upward momentum while North America remained comparatively soft.
The price chart helps procurement managers assess regional price positioning and identify differences in supply economics. Tracking monthly movements can support contract negotiations, inventory planning, import decisions, and evaluation of alternative sourcing options.
Ethylene Price Index & Historical Analysis
The Ethylene Price Index in August 2026 reflected a predominantly upward market across Northeast Asia, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia recorded the strongest increase at 16.7%, followed by Europe at 12.8% and Northeast Asia at 11.4%, while North America declined by 1.7%.
Historically, ethylene pricing has been closely linked to crude oil and natural gas markets, feedstock selection, cracker utilization, maintenance activity, and downstream petrochemical cycles. The balance between polyethylene and other derivative demand and available cracker output remains particularly important to regional price formation.
Key structural drivers include:
Raw material availability: Naphtha, ethane, and propane availability determines cracker economics and influences producer cost structures.
Production and processing capacity: Cracker operating rates, maintenance schedules, outages, and new capacity additions directly affect regional supply.
Downstream manufacturing cycles: Polyethylene, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, styrene, and other derivatives determine the intensity of ethylene consumption.
The August 2026 price pattern highlights the importance of regional feedstock structures. North America's comparatively low price contrasts with higher European and Asian prices, demonstrating how production economics and supply conditions can materially influence procurement costs.
What Is Ethylene?
Ethylene is a colorless, highly reactive hydrocarbon gas and one of the most important basic building blocks of the petrochemical industry. It is primarily produced through the steam cracking of hydrocarbons such as naphtha, ethane, and propane.
Its high chemical reactivity makes it suitable for conversion into a wide range of intermediate and finished products. Ethylene is particularly important because a large share of global plastics and chemical manufacturing depends on ethylene-derived products.
Key applications include:
Polyethylene production
Ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol
Styrene production
Vinyl chloride and related chemicals
Agricultural and specialty chemical applications
Ethylene's broad industrial role makes its price an important cost component throughout the petrochemical value chain. Changes in ethylene availability can therefore influence the economics of plastics, packaging, chemicals, automotive components, construction materials, and numerous other downstream products.
Ethylene Price Forecast – Next 12 Months
The ethylene price outlook for the next 12 months is expected to remain firm-to-volatile, with regional movements influenced by feedstock costs, cracker utilization, new capacity, maintenance schedules, derivative demand, and trade flows. Asian and European markets may remain sensitive to supply disruptions and feedstock costs, while North America will continue to benefit from its competitive feedstock structure.
Key growth drivers include:
Steady polyethylene demand
Growth in ethylene oxide and derivative consumption
Industrial and packaging applications
Downstream chemical manufacturing activity
Potential constraints from cracker maintenance and outages
Potential risks include:
Additional global ethylene production capacity
Weakness in downstream polymer demand
Declining feedstock costs
Unplanned cracker outages or operating disruptions
Changes in international petrochemical trade flows
Overall, ethylene prices are expected to remain sensitive to the interaction between feedstock economics and downstream demand. Regional divergence is likely to continue, with procurement conditions varying according to local cracker availability, feedstock structure, inventory levels, and import economics.
FAQs About Ethylene Prices Insights & Market Analysis
What does the Ethylene Price Index indicate in August 2026?
The Ethylene Price Index indicates a predominantly upward regional market. Southeast Asia recorded the strongest increase at 16.7%, followed by Europe at 12.8% and Northeast Asia at 11.4%, while North America declined by 1.7%.
How does the Ethylene Price Chart help procurement managers?
The Ethylene Price Chart helps procurement managers compare regional pricing, monitor supply-demand conditions, evaluate feedstock-related cost movements, and plan purchases, contracts, and inventories more effectively.
What is the ethylene price forecast for the next 12 months?
Ethylene prices are expected to remain firm-to-volatile, with polyethylene and chemical derivative demand supporting consumption while feedstock costs, cracker capacity, maintenance activity, and global trade flows influence regional price movements.
How IMARC Pricing Database Can Help
The latest IMARC Group study, "Ethylene Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data 2026 Edition," provides a detailed analysis of ethylene price trends and global market dynamics. The report covers price movements, regional developments, demand patterns, supply conditions, and the factors influencing current and future prices.
The analysis examines the relationship between raw material costs, production conditions, downstream demand, logistics, trade flows, and regional market developments. By exploring the interaction between supply and demand, the pricing analysis provides businesses with useful insights into current market conditions and future pricing dynamics.
Explore pricing intelligence across 500+ commodities: https://www.imarcgroup.com/pricing-intelligence
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