Ethylene Price Trend Shows Mixed Movements Across Global Markets in Q3 2025

The ethylene Price Trend during the third quarter of 2025 reflected a market that behaved very differently from one region to another. Ethylene is one of the most important building blocks in the petrochemical industry. It is used to produce polyethylene plastics, ethylene glycol, and many other chemical products that eventually become packaging materials, construction components, automotive parts, and everyday consumer goods. Because ethylene is so closely linked to industrial activity, its price trend often tells a broader story about regional economic conditions and supply-demand balance.

In Q3 2025, the global ethylene market did not follow a single direction. Some regions saw strong price gains, supported by tight supply and healthy downstream demand. Other regions experienced mild declines due to weak industrial activity, even though feedstock availability remained stable. Overall, the ethylene Price Trend stayed regionally balanced, with pricing driven mainly by local demand patterns, feedstock costs, and freight conditions rather than global shortages or oversupply.

Global Overview of the Ethylene Market

On a global level, the ethylene Price Trend in Q3 2025 showed uneven performance. Western markets recorded stronger price movements as downstream industries increased operating rates and supply flexibility remained limited. In contrast, parts of Europe faced softer demand, which put slight pressure on prices despite stable production conditions.

Asia-Pacific markets presented a mixed picture. Some countries saw moderate price increases due to steady downstream consumption, while others experienced weakness caused by strong competition and ample domestic supply. Meanwhile, the Middle East maintained largely stable pricing, supported by consistent supply and balanced demand.

These regional differences highlighted how ethylene pricing is shaped more by local market conditions than by a single global factor.

Argentina: Strong Demand Pushed Prices Higher

Argentina stood out as one of the strongest performers in the global ethylene Price Trend during Q3 2025. Prices in the country rose sharply, driven by strong domestic demand from polyethylene producers and other downstream chemical sectors.

Packaging, construction materials, and industrial goods manufacturing all showed solid consumption levels. This steady demand kept buying activity strong throughout the quarter. At the same time, import costs increased due to higher ethane feedstock prices from the U.S. Gulf Coast. These higher input costs were passed through the value chain, putting upward pressure on ethylene prices.

Freight and logistics costs also played a role. Even though supply availability remained stable, transportation expenses added to the overall cost of imported material. As a result, CIF Buenos Aires prices ranged between USD 500 and USD 610 per metric ton, reflecting a quarterly increase of 11.34%.

In September 2025 alone, ethylene prices in Argentina surged by more than 12% compared to the previous month. This sharp rise highlighted strong demand momentum and limited flexibility on the supply side. Overall, the ethylene Price Trend in Argentina remained clearly bullish throughout Q3 2025.

Belgium: Weak Demand Kept Prices Under Pressure

In contrast to Argentina, Belgium experienced a softer ethylene Price Trend during the third quarter of 2025. The European market continued to struggle with weak demand from polymer producers and chemical derivative industries.

Construction and automotive sectors, which are major consumers of ethylene-based products, operated at reduced levels. This lower activity kept downstream demand subdued. As a result, polyethylene producers in Belgium ran plants at lower operating rates, which reduced their need for ethylene.

During Q3 2025, domestically traded ethylene prices in Belgium, delivered FD Antwerp with purity above 99%, ranged between USD 800 and USD 900 per metric ton. This represented a quarterly decline of around 1.23%.

However, September 2025 brought some signs of recovery. Prices rose by more than 7% compared to August, suggesting tentative improvement in market sentiment. This short-term increase was supported by stable cracker output, moderate fluctuations in naphtha feedstock costs, and limited restocking by downstream buyers.

Despite this monthly rise, the overall ethylene Price Trend in Belgium remained cautious. Demand weakness continued to play a bigger role than supply limitations, keeping the market from achieving sustained price growth.

China: Moderate Gains Followed by Softening

China’s ethylene Price Trend during Q3 2025 reflected a market that was well supplied but still capable of modest price gains. Throughout the quarter, prices increased moderately, supported by steady import demand from South Korea and healthy operating rates at downstream plants producing ethylene glycol and polyethylene.

CIF Shanghai prices ranged between USD 790 and USD 840 per metric ton, marking a quarterly increase of around 2.64%. This growth occurred despite the domestic market being oversupplied, showing that steady downstream consumption provided some support.

However, by September 2025, prices softened. Ethylene prices declined by about 2.28% compared to August, reflecting easing buying interest. Domestic capacity expansions continued to add supply to the market, limiting upside potential.

Logistics costs also eased during this period, reducing pressure on landed prices. Feedstock cost volatility remained limited, which further contributed to price stability rather than sharp movements. Overall, the ethylene Price Trend in China moved toward near-term stability, with the market expected to remain balanced in the short run.

Asia-Pacific: Mixed Conditions Across Markets

The broader Asia-Pacific region showed mixed behavior in the ethylene Price Trend during Q3 2025. Some markets experienced moderate price increases due to stable demand and controlled supply. Others faced pressure from intense export competition and ample regional availability.

Export-oriented producers competed aggressively to place volumes, which capped price growth in certain areas. At the same time, downstream demand varied widely between countries, depending on local economic conditions and industrial activity.

These mixed signals resulted in a market where prices moved in narrow ranges rather than showing strong trends in either direction.

Middle East: Stability Defined the Market

In the Middle East, the ethylene Price Trend remained largely stable throughout Q3 2025. The region benefited from consistent feedstock availability and well-balanced supply-demand conditions.

Producers continued operating at stable rates, and downstream demand remained predictable. Without major disruptions or sudden demand shifts, prices showed limited volatility. This stability provided a contrast to the more dynamic movements seen in other regions.

Role of Feedstock and Freight Costs

Feedstock dynamics played an important role in shaping the ethylene Price Trend across regions. In some markets, higher ethane or naphtha costs supported price increases. In others, stable feedstock pricing limited price movement.

Freight and logistics conditions also influenced regional pricing. Higher transportation costs added pressure in import-dependent markets, while easing logistics supported price stability elsewhere. These factors reinforced the regional nature of ethylene pricing during the quarter.

Overall Market Sentiment

Market sentiment in Q3 2025 was generally cautious but steady. Buyers avoided aggressive purchasing strategies and focused on meeting immediate production needs. Producers, on the other hand, aimed to maintain stable operating rates rather than pushing output higher.

This balanced approach helped prevent extreme price volatility. The ethylene Price Trend reflected practical decision-making rather than speculative behavior, resulting in controlled and region-specific movements.

Conclusion

In summary, the ethylene Price Trend during Q3 2025 highlighted strong regional differences shaped by local demand, feedstock costs, and logistics conditions. Argentina experienced strong price gains driven by robust demand and higher import costs. Belgium faced pressure from weak industrial activity, while China showed moderate gains followed by stabilization amid ample supply.

Asia-Pacific markets remained mixed, and the Middle East provided a stable backdrop with minimal price movement. Overall, Q3 2025 demonstrated that the ethylene market remained regionally balanced, with pricing driven more by local fundamentals than by global disruptions.

As industries continue to adjust to changing economic conditions, the ethylene Price Trend is expected to remain sensitive to regional demand shifts, feedstock movements, and supply chain efficiency in the coming quarters.