Ethylene prices recorded predominantly upward movement across major regions in August 2026, with Southeast Asia registering the strongest increase of 16.7%, followed by Europe at 12.8% and Northeast Asia at 11.4%. North America was the only tracked region to record a decline, with prices falling by 1.7%. Europe recorded the highest price at USD 1.32/KG, while North America remained the lowest at USD 0.57/KG.

The regional divergence reflected differences in feedstock economics, cracker operating conditions, production availability, inventory positions, and downstream demand. Ethylene consumption remained closely connected to polyethylene, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, vinyl acetate, and other derivatives used across packaging, construction, automotive, textiles, and chemical manufacturing. Procurement strategies varied by region as buyers balanced immediate requirements with replacement-cost and supply-security considerations.

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 stronger upward movement during the month.

The regional price spread reflected differences in feedstock availability, cracker economics, production capacity, imports, logistics, and downstream derivative demand. North America's comparatively lower price position was supported by its feedstock and production structure, while European pricing remained elevated amid regional cost and supply considerations.

Regional Price Analysis of Ethylene Prices – August 2026

Northeast Asia

Northeast Asia recorded ethylene prices of USD 0.98/KG, increasing by 11.4%. The upward movement reflected firmer regional conditions influenced by production economics, feedstock costs, and demand from downstream petrochemical manufacturers.

Polyethylene, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, and other derivative producers remained important sources of consumption. Buyers continued to monitor cracker operations and inventory positions closely, with procurement focused on securing adequate feedstock while managing exposure to higher replacement costs.

Europe

Europe recorded the highest regional price at USD 1.32/KG, increasing by 12.8%. Pricing remained influenced by feedstock costs, energy-intensive cracker operations, production economics, and regional supply conditions.

Demand from polyethylene, chemicals, packaging, automotive, and construction-related applications supported purchasing requirements. European buyers remained attentive to production availability and operating costs, leading to careful inventory management and procurement planning.

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia recorded ethylene prices of USD 0.98/KG, increasing by 16.7%, the strongest upward movement among the tracked regions. The increase reflected firmer market conditions amid feedstock considerations, regional production availability, and downstream petrochemical demand.

The region's demand base includes polyethylene, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, and other chemical derivatives. Buyers remained focused on balancing production requirements against changing supplier offers and replacement costs, particularly where import flows contributed to regional availability.

North America

North America recorded ethylene prices of USD 0.57/KG, declining by 1.7%. The downward movement contrasted with the increases observed across Northeast Asia, Europe, and Southeast Asia, indicating comparatively softer regional pricing conditions.

The region benefits from established petrochemical infrastructure and significant ethylene production capacity. Demand from polyethylene, packaging, automotive, construction, and chemical manufacturing remained important, while buyers maintained a measured procurement approach in response to the softer price environment.

Supply and Demand Overview – August 2026

Ethylene supply remained closely linked to steam-cracker operations, feedstock availability, plant utilization, maintenance schedules, and derivative production requirements. Naphtha and other hydrocarbon feedstocks influenced production economics across regions, while logistics, storage, and interregional trade flows affected delivered availability.

Demand intensity across key downstream sectors remained as follows:

Polyethylene & Packaging: Strong demand

Ethylene Glycol: Strong demand

Ethylene Oxide: Stable to strong demand

Automotive & Construction: Stable demand

Chemical Manufacturing: Stable demand

The overall supply-demand balance remained regionally differentiated. Strong price increases in Southeast Asia, Europe, and Northeast Asia indicated firmer market conditions, while North America's decline reflected comparatively softer pricing pressure. Procurement requirements therefore varied according to local production, inventories, and derivative-sector consumption.

Key Factors Affecting Prices – Monthly Perspective

Raw Material Availability: Feedstock availability and costs, including hydrocarbon inputs used in steam cracking, remained important determinants of ethylene production economics.

Downstream Demand: Polyethylene, ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide, packaging, automotive, and construction applications continued to support ethylene consumption.

Logistics: Transportation, storage, port operations, and regional trade flows affected the delivered cost and availability of ethylene and derivatives.

Energy Costs: Ethylene production through steam cracking is energy intensive, making energy expenses an important component of overall production economics.

Trade Dynamics: Regional import requirements, export availability, and interregional petrochemical flows influenced market balance and pricing differences.

Recent Developments (August Highlights)

Southeast Asian ethylene prices increased by 16.7%, representing the strongest upward regional movement.

European prices increased by 12.8%, reflecting firmer regional pricing conditions.

Northeast Asian prices increased by 11.4% amid stronger supply-demand dynamics.

North American prices declined by 1.7%, contrasting with the upward movements observed in other tracked regions.

These developments resulted in a highly differentiated regional pricing environment, with feedstock economics and downstream petrochemical demand remaining central to market conditions.

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 highlights a predominantly upward regional market. Europe maintained the highest price at USD 1.32/KG, while North America remained significantly lower at USD 0.57/KG. Southeast Asia recorded the strongest monthly increase.

Early August: Market conditions were shaped by feedstock availability, cracker operating rates, inventory positions, and downstream derivative demand.

Mid-August: Buyers continued monitoring supplier availability and replacement costs as prices moved higher across Northeast Asia, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Late August: Upward momentum remained evident across three regions, while North America maintained a comparatively softer pricing direction.

The price chart helps procurement managers compare regional pricing conditions, assess feedstock purchasing strategies, evaluate supplier offers, and plan inventory requirements based on downstream production schedules.

Ethylene Price Index & Historical Analysis

The Ethylene Price Index in August 2026 reflected strong upward momentum across most tracked regions. Southeast Asia recorded the largest increase at 16.7%, while Europe and Northeast Asia increased by 12.8% and 11.4%, respectively. North America declined by 1.7%, highlighting significant regional differences.

Historically, ethylene pricing has been closely linked to hydrocarbon feedstock costs, steam-cracker utilization, petrochemical capacity, derivative demand, and broader industrial cycles. Polyethylene demand is particularly important because of its extensive use in packaging and other applications.

Key structural drivers include:

Feedstock availability and cracker economics

Ethylene production and processing capacity

Downstream petrochemical and polymer manufacturing cycles

The August pricing pattern demonstrates the importance of regional production structures and feedstock differences. Buyers operating across multiple markets need to monitor both local ethylene availability and derivative-sector demand when planning procurement.

What Is Ethylene?

Ethylene is a colorless, highly reactive hydrocarbon and one of the most important basic building blocks in the petrochemical industry. It is primarily produced through steam cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks and is subsequently converted into a wide range of chemical derivatives and polymers.

Key applications include:

Polyethylene production

Ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol

Vinyl acetate and other chemical derivatives

Packaging and plastic products

Automotive, construction, and industrial materials

Ethylene is strategically important because it serves as a foundational feedstock for numerous high-volume chemical products. Its pricing therefore has a broad influence on polymer, packaging, chemical, and manufacturing cost structures.

Ethylene Price Forecast – Next 12 Months

The ethylene price outlook for the next 12 months is expected to remain regionally differentiated and potentially volatile. Feedstock prices, cracker operating rates, production availability, derivative demand, and global petrochemical trade flows are likely to determine the direction of future prices.

Key growth drivers include:

Continued polyethylene and packaging demand

Growth in ethylene glycol and ethylene oxide consumption

Stable demand from automotive and construction industries

Petrochemical capacity utilization

Regional restocking and inventory requirements

Potential risks include:

Lower downstream polymer demand

Increased ethylene production availability

Declining hydrocarbon feedstock costs

Cracker shutdowns or unexpected operational disruptions

Changes in global petrochemical trade flows

Overall, ethylene prices are expected to remain sensitive to the balance between feedstock costs and downstream derivative demand. Regions with tighter production availability may experience firmer pricing, while markets with greater production flexibility could remain comparatively stable.

FAQs About Ethylene Prices Insights & Market Analysis

What does the Ethylene Price Index indicate in August 2026?

The index indicates predominantly upward regional pricing conditions, with Southeast Asia recording the strongest increase at 16.7% and Europe recording the highest absolute price at USD 1.32/KG. North America declined by 1.7%.

How does the Ethylene Price Chart help procurement managers?

The chart helps procurement managers compare regional prices, evaluate feedstock and supply conditions, plan inventories, negotiate purchasing contracts, and assess the potential impact of ethylene costs on downstream production.

What is the ethylene price forecast for the next 12 months?

Ethylene prices are expected to remain regionally differentiated, with feedstock costs, cracker utilization, production availability, polyethylene demand, derivative consumption, and international trade flows influencing future 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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IMARC Group is a global management consulting firm that provides a comprehensive suite of services to support market entry and expansion efforts. The company offers detailed market assessments, feasibility studies, regulatory approvals and licensing support, and pricing analysis, including spot pricing and regional price trends. Its expertise spans demand-supply analysis alongside regional insights covering Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. IMARC also specializes in competitive landscape evaluations, profiling key market players, and conducting research into market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. IMARC’s data-driven approach helps businesses navigate complex markets with precision and confidence.

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