Light olefins
Overview
The global light olefins market is made up of ethylene and propylene monomers. These product markets can be affected by a great many factors.
Ethylene is the most widely used commodity chemical and is produced globally in all major regions. It is converted into many products used in daily life like plastic packaging, durable goods, hygiene products and other consumer items. The ethylene market is driven primarily by regions of low production cost and regions of high demand growth. Polyethylene, ethylene’s largest derivative, represents about 65pc of global ethylene demand. Anyone involved in the ethylene industry – directly or indirectly – needs market and pricing insight to anticipate supply shortages and potential swings in pricing.
Propylene is the second most widely used commodity chemical and is produced globally in all major regions. Propylene is a volatile commodity because of its predominantly co-product nature and unpredictable supply, but recently the industry has been trending to more on-purpose production. It is converted into many products used in daily life like plastic packaging, durable goods, automotive products, and woven fabrics. Polypropylene, propylene ’s largest derivative, represents about 70pc of global propylene demand. Anyone involved in the propylene industry – directly or indirectly – needs market and pricing insight to anticipate supply shortages and potential swings in pricing.
Our light olefins experts will help you determine what trends to track and how to stay competitive in today’s ever-changing global market.
Latest light olefins news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global light olefins industry.
US PE export prices decline on weak demand
US PE export prices decline on weak demand
Houston, 15 May (Argus) — US polyethylene (PE) export prices declined again this week, as weak global demand combined with lower prices out of Asia continued to add downward pressure. US prices were assessed down by between 1.5¢/lb to 5¢/lb from last week's levels for the week ended 15 May, depending upon the grade. The range is beginning to narrow as the upper end has dropped due to a lack of buying interest, sources said. Prices have been easing over the last three weeks due to competion from Chinese resin, which was in some cases as much as $400/t cheaper than US PE. Now, as Chinese prices are rising, and as freight costs out of China increase, the spread between the two regions has narrowed, traders said. "The China window is starting to close because China prices have gone up… and freight is going up also from China," said one US PE trader. But buyers are not willing to entertain higher prices, as they are finding they are having trouble passing those increases on to downstream customers, the trader said. "Demand is very, very weak," the trader said. Global buyers for now are waiting on the sidelines, hoping for further price declines. Traders said they are only doing back-to-back deals at the moment. "Our position is not to buy anything for inventory right now," said another US trader. Preliminary April data from the American Chemistry Council (ACC) released this week showed total US/Canada PE exports declined by 8.5pc from March levels. Exports represented 43.8pc of total sales in April, down from 45.3pc of total sales in March, according to the ACC's Plastics Industry Producers Statistics Group as compiled by Vault Consulting. Market participants said they expect lower export volumes to continue in May, unless prices decline further. One trader said global buyers likely have enough inventory to hold them through at least mid-June or even into July. The trader said prices would need to fall down to the 40s¢/lb level before demand would significantly improve. By Michelle Klump Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US PVC sales in April fall from record: ACC
US PVC sales in April fall from record: ACC
Houston, 15 May (Argus) — Sales of US polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in April fell from a record high in March, according to American Chemistry Council (ACC) data compiled by Vault Consulting US PVC sales declined to 1.39bn lb (643,500 metric tonnes) in April, down by about 1pc from a year earlier and down by 9pc from March. Sales in March reached 1.53bn lb , the highest monthly sales volumes in ACC records dating to early 2013. US PVC exports in April fell to 411.6mn lb, down by 3.3pc from a year earlier and 26pc below March levels. While export demand remains robust, falling prices globally have pressured prices in the US, and deals have been slow to be concluded so far this month as many routes are unworkable for traders contending with cheaper Chinese carbide-based volumes. Asian demand for US PVC has softened because of this, especially after idled Chinese plants were brought back online. Trade into Latin America is still competitive, sources say, but Chinese cargoes are also headed to the region. US producers ran plants at an average utilization of 83.9pc in April, up from 81.4pc in March, as one major plant turnaround in Texas concluded. But another producer experienced operational issues that prolonged a March turnaround at its plant in Louisiana, leading to some customers being placed on allocation, sources familiar with market operations said. US PVC inventories declined in April on lower operating rates, falling to 14.3 days of supply from 15.1 days in March, ACC data show. By Gordon Pollock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Brazil’s April PP imports rise, exports keep soaring
Brazil’s April PP imports rise, exports keep soaring
Sao Paulo, 12 May (Argus) — Brazil's polypropylene (PP) imports grew by 10pc in April from a year earlier, mainly from Colombia and Saudi Arabia, while exports soared thanks to rising demand in neighboring countries. Brazil imported over 68,600 metric tonnes (t) in the month, up from almost 62,400 in April 2025. Import values rose by 3.4pc to $82.8mn in the month, according to data from trade ministry Mdic. Colombia remained Brazil's leading PP supplier in April, sending nearly 18,300t, up by 4pc from a year earlier,. It accounted for almost 27pc of import share for the resin, down from 28.2pc a year prior, followed by Saudi Arabia and Argentina. Shipments from Saudi Arabia slightly rose to around 11,450t in the month, representing 16.7pc of Brazil's PP import share, down from a 17.7pc share in April 2025. Argentina came in third with around 10,700t, a 11.2pc rise from a year prior and maintaining its import share at around 15.5pc. Demand remains strong in South America Brazil's PP exports soared to almost 25,000t in April, up by nearly 72pc from a year earlier, with most of its demand still coming from South America. Exports of the resin were valued at $30.7mn in the month, up from $18.9mn in April 2025, Mdic data show. Peru became the largest buyer of Brazilian PP, receiving 4,750t in April, a fourfold increase from a year earlier. South American countries represented nearly 94pc of Brazil's PP exports in the month, of which Peru, Argentina and Colombia accounted for 19pc, 18.4pc and 17.7pc, respectively. By João Curi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Braskem names Petrobras chief as board chair
Braskem names Petrobras chief as board chair
Sao Paulo, 30 April (Argus) — Brazil's Braskem has appointed Petrobras chief executive Magda Chambriard as chair of its board of directors, following a decision taken at the company's shareholders' meeting on 29 April, the petrochemical producer said. The appointment was made under the slate of directors nominated by Petrobras, which is Braskem's second-largest shareholder, and aligns with the new governance framework currently in place at the company. Braskem said the new board will serve for the term set out in its bylaws, and the company did not announce any changes to executive management. Petrobras confirmed the nomination, saying the appointment reflects the governance arrangements agreed with Braskem and reinforces cooperation between the two companies. The oil major did not provide further details on the scope of the chair's role. Braskem is in the middle of a control transition following fellow conglomerate Novonor's agreement to sell its controlling stake to the IG4 fund, ending its long-standing position as Braskem's controlling shareholder. As part of that transaction, Braskem is moving to a shared-control structure, in which IG4 and Petrobras hold key governance rights. Under the new model, neither shareholder exercises unilateral control, and strategic decisions require alignment between the parties, while Braskem's management and day-to-day operations remain unchanged. By Fred Fernandes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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