Plastribution’s Polymer Price Know-How: September 2026

In September’s Polymer Price Know-How, experts from Plastribution discuss the factors affecting polymer supply, demand and pricing across a range of polymer groups. Over this month, the rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East have increased Brent Crude Oil prices to above $100 per barrel, whilst retail domestic petrol and diesel prices have responded by hitting 4-year highs. The polymer markets are pretty subdued, even though naphtha prices have also peaked. In £ per tonne terms, Brent Crude Oil has increased in price by over £100 per tonne since the beginning of September. 

European polymer markets remain calm in the face of rapidly increasing crude oil prices.

Whilst polymer prices in more volatile markets such as Turkey and China are responding with increases, here in the UK and Western Europe the market action is subdued as demand remains relatively weak, and buyers reflect on their hasty actions back in April and May that caused prices to rapidly spike. For now, ample supply is supporting the weak market fundamentals, and it remains to be seen if restrictions in crude oil supply drive more use of naphtha in petrol blends and restricts availability for petrochemical production.

Unless the situation in the Middle East de-escalates before the end of September, polymer feedstock price increases seem inevitable. However, it remains to be seen how the polymer markets will react to this inflationary cost pressure.

Monomer Price Movement

Exchange Rates

€ / 1.17
$ / 1.35
€/$ / 1.16

Standard Polymers

In September, the polyolefins market is around rollover to small increase depending on the grade. Although both Ethylene and Propylene contract prices reduced slightly, we have seen crude oil and naphtha rise quite sharply in early September offsetting requests for reductions. Producers also point out that monomers rose quite sharply in August, and the market broadly rolled over so they are looking to recover some of the lost margin.

Geopolitical risk could become a more significant factor, both in terms of feedstock costs and increased shipping rates for material from the Far East. More shipping is avoiding the Red Sea extending lead times and adding costs.

The short-term outlook is relatively balanced. Energy and freight volatility could quickly create upward pressure, but current demand levels suggest that any increases are likely to be selective and difficult to sustain unless availability tightens further. Small increases through the final quarter of the year seem the most likely scenario.

Ian Chisnall
Product Manager – Polyolefins

Polyolefins Feedstocks

Performance Polymers

The market is predominantly quiet during the summer holiday period with little movement on prices. It is anticipated that things will remain like this until at least September, and there is ample material to satisfy the subdued demand.

The Benzene contract price for August settled at €1,277/t, up by €184/t from July. Availability was reduced as European producers cut outputs and imports from China imports slowed. Demand was also lower so a fairly balanced situation overall.

Pete Tillin
Product Manager – Performance Polymers

Performance Polymer Feedstocks

Sustainable Polymers

Recycled Polyolefins have largely rolled over in September, with only limited movement on higher quality grades. Demand has improved more moderately than expected following the implementation of PPWR, while the broader European recycling sector remains under pressure from weak underlying consumption, imported material and challenging operating costs.

Ian Chisnall
Product Manager – Sustainable

Price Know-How: September 2026 Full Report

Visit the Price Know-How website to read the September 2026 update, which details each market segment and material group produced by Plastribution’s expert product managers.

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Price Know-How, a decade-long trusted resource in the industry, provides essential updates on polymer pricing and market dynamics. This report is crafted by Plastribution, a leading polymer distributor, in collaboration with Plastics Information Europe.

Price Know-How is tailored specifically for the UK polymer industry, unlike many other price reports. They do all the currency conversions, so you don’t need to!

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