The price of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) has fluctuated significantly from 2017 to 2023, reaching a low of *** U.S. dollars per metric ton in 2020 and a high of ***** U.S. dollars per metric ton in 2018. The price was shown to have increased slightly from this 2020 minimum to a value of *** U.S. dollars per metric ton in 2023. HDPE as a petrochemical derivative One of the main factors that influences the HDPE market is the price of the raw material ethylene. Ethylene is a petrochemical product that is significantly affected by global oil prices and supply and demand dynamics. In 2021 the global ethylene market size was valued at *** billion U.S. dollars and was forecast to increase to a value of *** billion U.S. dollars by 2030. The ethylene market is predominantly dominated by the Asia Pacific region, contributing **** percent of total revenue. China holds the position of the world's largest consumer of ethylene, accounting for ** percent of global demand, while the remaining Asian countries consumed ** percent. Environmental concerns and HDPE alternatives HDPE poses significant environmental concerns due to its non-biodegradability and challenges in recycling. Since 1950, the global production of plastic materials has exceeded **** billion metric tons, but only **** percent of them have been recycled. The remaining plastic waste has been either discarded in landfills or released into the environment. As one of the most widely manufactured plastics worldwide, HDPE waste can accumulate over time, leading to pollution and adverse health effects for both humans and animals. To address these issues, various alternatives to HDPE are being developed or utilized, such as bioplastics, synthetic paper, and bio-based HDPE. These alternatives aim to mitigate the environmental impacts of HDPE by utilizing renewable resources, biodegradable materials, or minimizing carbon emissions. However, these alternatives also have notable drawbacks, including higher costs, reduced performance, and the potential for competition with food crops.

Polyethylene fell to 7,291 CNY/T on August 29, 2025, down 0.16% from the previous day. Over the past month, Polyethylene's price has fallen 1.50%, and is down 11.02% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Polyethylene.

Learn about the factors that influence the price of polyethylene, the most commonly used plastic in the world, including supply and demand, global crude oil prices, and grade and quantity purchased.

Why did the Low Density Polyethylene Price Change in July 2025? The LDPE Price Index in North America showed a quarter-over-quarter decline by 8% in Q2 2025, reflecting bearish market sentiment amid oversupplied conditions and subdued demand across key downstream sectors.

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Polyethylene (PE) in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East Africa).

The global price of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in 2022 was ******* U.S. dollars per metric ton, showing an increase from the previous year's value of ******* U.S. dollars per metric ton. PET is extensively used in the textile industry to make polyester fibers, as well as for various packaging applications like beverage bottles, food containers, and personal care products. PET market outlook This increase in the global price of PET coincides with a rise in the market value of PET worldwide, which reached ***** billion U.S. dollars in 2022, up from ***** billion U.S. dollars in 2021. The market value is projected to continue growing, reaching an estimated ***** billion U.S. dollars by 2030. This growth in market value is reflective of the increasing demand for PET, with the global market volume of PET reaching ***** million metric tons in 2022, up from ***** million metric tons in 2015. Environmental footprint of PET and bioplastic PET PET is a widely used plastic with various applications, but its production and usage come with environmental concerns. Although it is entirely recyclable, traditional PET is derived from non-renewable resources and is not biodegradable, contributing to plastic pollution and resource depletion. In response, there has been growing interest in bioplastic PET, which is made from renewable resources and is biodegradable. However, despite its potential benefits, there is a forecasted decline in the production capacity of bioplastic PET. In 2023, the production capacity stood at ***, but it is forecasted to drop to *** by 2028. While bioplastic PET is made from renewable resources and is biodegradable, it still has some environmental downsides. For instance, the production process for bioplastic PET can be energy-intensive and water-consuming, and the biodegradation process may release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. As a result, some companies are exploring even more sustainable bioplastic alternatives, such as plant-based materials like polylactic acid (PLA) or fully biodegradable plastics like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Commodity: Rubber and Plastic Products: Unlaminated Polyethylene Film and Sheet (WPU072205011) from Dec 2011 to Jul 2025 about rubber, plastics, commodities, PPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Why did the High Density Polyethylene Price Change in July 2025? The HDPE Price in the United States increased by 1% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, driven by stronger domestic procurement and rising feedstock costs, particularly ethylene.

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East Africa).

Learn about the factors that impact the price of polyethylene plastic, including raw material costs, production volume, type of plastic, currency exchange rates, government policies, and more. Discover the current state of the market and predictions for the future in this informative article.

Why did the Recycled Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Price Change in July 2025? The R-LLDPE Spot Price in the USA witnessed a consistent upward movement across Q2 2025, as reflected in the Price Index, which rose moderately throughout the quarter.

Explore the factors influencing Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) pricing, including crude oil prices, production costs, market demand, geopolitical impacts, and regional variations. Understand how these elements affect LDPE's cost and availability in global markets, and consider the role of environmental policies in shaping future prices.

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East Africa).

Why did the Recycled-High Density Polyethylene Price Change in July 2025? The Recycled-High Density Polyethylene (R-HDPE) Spot Price in the USA remained stable throughout Q2 2025, with the Price Index showing minimal movement.

Why did the Chlorinated Polyethylene Price Change in July 2025? April saw a ~5% rise in the Chlorinated Polyethylene Price Index USD 880/MT for June (after USD 850/MT in April). May remained elevated, followed by a ~3.4% drop in June back to USD 850/MT.

The recycled-linear low density polyethylene prices in the Saudi Arabia for Q3 2024 reached 765 USD/MT in September. The market faced decreased demand in major industries like construction and packaging. Ongoing oversupply and weaker exports pressured pricing, encouraging producers to implement competitive strategies to maintain market share.

Explore IMARC’s newly published report, titled ““Recycled-Linear Low Density Polyethylene (R-LLDPE) Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data Report 2025 Edition,” offers an in-depth analysis of recycled-linear low density polyethylene (R-LLDPE) pricing, covering an analysis of global and regional market trends and the critical factors driving these price movements.

Learn about the factors that affect the cost of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic material, including size, grade, and quantity. Find out how additional processing services can add to the total cost and what an average price is for a 4’ x 8’ sheet of 1/8” thick HDPE plastic.

In February 2025, the average polyethylene export price amounted to $1,008 per ton, approximately equating the previous month.

The metallocene low linear density polyethylene (mLLDPE) prices in China for Q4 2023 reached 1282 USD/MT in December. mLLDPE prices in China exhibited some fluctuation. Early in the quarter, rising feedstock costs and robust demand from various sectors pushed prices up. However, geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in the Middle East, disrupted trade routes and impacted export levels. These factors contributed to price volatility, as the market adjusted to supply chain interruptions and changing demand patterns.

Metallocene Low Linear Density Polyethylene (mLLDPE) Prices December 2023

IMARC’s newly published report, titled “Metallocene Low Linear Density Polyethylene (mLLDPE) Pricing Report {PricingCurrentYear}: Price Trend, Chart, Market Analysis, News, Demand, Historical and Forecast Data,” offers an in-depth analysis of metallocene low linear density polyethylene (mLLDPE) pricing, covering an analysis of global and regional market trends and the critical factors driving these price movements.

Learn about the varying cost of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) based on factors such as type, grade, and quantity ordered, as well as the impact of supply and demand and raw material costs.