In 2023, the global average price of polypropylene (PP) was 968 U.S. dollars per ton – a decrease of 165 U.S. dollars, compared with the previous years. The global polypropylene market The global polypropylene market was valued at 120.94 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. The global PP market is projected to continue growing over the next decade, registering a CAGR of 3.5 percent during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030 to reach a value of 159.87 billion U.S. dollars. This will see the polypropylene market volume rise to over 100 million metric tons by 2030. Polypropylene end-uses Polypropylene is one of the most commonly used thermoplastics due to its elasticity and durability and is used across a wide range of end-uses including electronics, transportation, and construction. However, the major end- user of polypropylene is the plastic packaging industry.

Polypropylene decreased 66 CNY/T or 0.89% since the beginning of 2025, 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 Polypropylene.

Explore the dynamics impacting polypropylene prices, ranging from $1 to $2 per kg, influenced by global supply, demand, and oil market fluctuations. Discover how COVID-19, regional variations, and sustainable practices shape the industry, alongside strategies for mitigating price volatility risks.

Explore the factors affecting polypropylene pricing, including global oil prices, supply and demand dynamics, and regional conditions. Understand how these variables influence cost per kilogram and impact industries like packaging and automotive in late 2023.

Explore the factors influencing polypropylene granule prices, including oil market fluctuations, regional demand, and global supply chain dynamics, to make informed purchasing decisions in the plastics industry.

The average price of propylene amounted to some 865 U.S. dollars per metric ton in 2023, down from 865 dollars per metric ton one year earlier. Production and uses of propylene Propylene, also known as propene, ranks as the second most-consumed primary petrochemical worldwide, only after ethylene. In 2022, propylene accounted for 22 percent of the global primary petrochemical consumption. Most of the propylene produced is used to manufacture polypropylene, one of the most common thermoplastic materials used today. The petrochemical compound is also used extensively as a building block to produce diverse chemicals such as isopropyl alcohol, propylene oxide, acrylonitrile, and acrylic acid. In 2020, the global production capacity of propylene stood at 133 million metric tons. Polypropylene market The market volume of polypropylene is forecast to follow an increasing trend during the next years, reaching approximately 100 million metric tons by 2029. Similarly, the market value of the compound is expected to increase by more than 30 percent in 2029 in comparison with 2021. Similarly to the development of the price of propylene during the last year, the average price of polypropylene in 2023 showed a small decrease in comparison with 2022.

The monthly price of propylene worldwide experienced fluctuations between 2020 and 2024. The highest figure in the period under consideration was observed in March 2022 when propylene price reached 1,317 U.S. dollars per metric ton. In October 2024 the global price of propylene amounted to 805 U.S. dollars.

Explore the dynamic pricing of polypropylene granules influenced by factors like crude oil costs, supply-demand dynamics, and geopolitical conditions. Learn how attributes and market trends affect rates ranging from $1 to $2.50 USD per kilogram.

Global polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prices were 750 U.S. dollars per metric ton in October 2024. This was the lowest monthly PVC price since May 2020. The highest price over the past three years was recorded in October 2021, at 1,735 U.S. dollars per metric ton. Since then, monthly PVC prices have mostly been on a downward trajectory.

The price of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) has fluctuated significantly from 2017 to 2023, reaching a low of 837 U.S. dollars per metric ton in 2020 and a high of 1,211 U.S. dollars per metric ton in 2018. The price was shown to have increased slightly from this 2020 minimum to a value of 988 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 176 billion U.S. dollars and was forecast to increase to a value of 287 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. The ethylene market is predominantly dominated by the Asia Pacific region , contributing 42.6 percent of total revenue. China holds the position of the world's largest consumer of ethylene, accounting for 18 percent of global demand, while the remaining Asian countries consumed 22 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 nine billion metric tons, but only nine 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. 

Explore the dynamics of polymer pricing, influenced by factors such as type, market demand, and geopolitical events. Understand how common polymers like polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and PVC have their prices shaped by raw material costs, production factors, and sustainability trends in the manufacturing sector.

Polyethylene decreased 721 CNY/T or 8.46% since the beginning of 2025, 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.

The global price of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in 2022 was 1,161.9 U.S. dollars per metric ton, showing an increase from the previous year's value of 1,065.7 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 33.51 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, up from 32.35 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. The market value is projected to continue growing, reaching an estimated 43.26 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 25.47 million metric tons in 2022, up from 19.71 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 2.2, but it is forecasted to drop to 0.4 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).

The average global price of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in 2023 was 823 U.S. dollars per metric ton, which represents a decrease from the previous year’s average price of 1,115 U.S. dollars per metric ton. Global PVC market value The price of PVC is influenced by several factors, such as supply and demand, feedstock costs, environmental regulations, and trade policies. In October 2024, the global monthly market for PVC was valued at 750 billion U.S. dollars per metric ton, the lowest valuation since May 2020. What are the alternatives to PVC? PVC is a widely used plastic material that has many applications in various industries, but its environmental and human health impacts present some drawbacks. As a result, there have been a number of efforts to develop alternatives to PVC that use natural, biodegradable, or recyclable materials. Some of these alternative plastic polymers include polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which offer better recyclability and lower emissions. Paper-based alternatives also exist, which are both renewable and compostable, making them an eco-friendly option for packaging and disposable items. Other alternatives include polylactic acid (PLA), derived from plant sources, which is also biodegradable and ideal for food packaging and 3D printing; wool felt, a natural material with water resistance and insulation properties, suitable for clothing and crafts; and bioplastics, made from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, or pea starch. These alternatives offer various benefits and challenges depending on the intended use and material availability.

The worldwide production of plastics reached 413.8 million metric tons in 2023. The versatility of this group of materials accounts for the continued growth in production year after year. In tandem with that growth, the market value of plastics also continues to grow. What plastics are and how they are made Plastics are used in a wide variety of products and have displaced other materials – such as wood, metal, and glass – that were previously used for the applications that plastics now dominate. One of the main applications for plastics use is plastic packaging. The production of plastic requires four basic steps: the acquirement of raw material, synthesizing a basic polymer, compounding the polymer into a usable fraction, and lastly, molding or shaping the plastic. Leading plastic producers Asia was the largest plastics producer in the world in 2023. That year, the country accounted for 33 percent of global production. Over recent years, China produced an average of approximately nine million metric tons of plastic products each month. The rest of Asia ranks second worldwide in terms of plastic production, with a share of 19 percent in 2023.