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Poly(ethylene) Price Information Spec: N/A;7042

Newest Price 1,205.13

Price Date 20260415

Day's Change +224.67

Day's Range 1,205.13 - 1,429.8

Month's Change 0

Month's Range 0 - 0

Year's Change -235.82

Year's Range 1,094.62 - 1,330.44

Opinions

What is driving the recent surge in China's polyethylene prices?

The price spike highlights a structural cost divide. Coal-based producers are earning windfall profits of 2,500-3,000 yuan/ton over oil-based rivals. However, this also accelerates capacity expansion in coal-to-olefins, which could worsen the oversupply once crude normalizes. Buyers should watch for potential demand destruction at these elevated price levels.

What are the key differences between HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE in terms of production and applications?

For buyers, grade selection should consider not just properties but also supply security. Gas-phase Unipol technology offers the most product flexibility across the density range, which is why it dominates new capacity. However, HDPE's higher crystallinity makes it prone to environmental stress cracking—consider using lower-flow materials to reduce internal stress in demanding applications.

Latest News

The oversupply situation in the calcium carbide market continues, leading to a slight decline in prices.

3d ago

The impact of ordered electricity curtailment has diminished, leading to a recovery in supply volumes.

on Oct 14, 2026

Ethylene prices experienced slight softening prior to the National Day holiday, and are likely to remain weak in the post-holiday period.

on Oct 07, 2026

All three polyolefin units at the Sinopec-Saudi Aramco Gulei project achieved successful first-time startup.

on Sep 30, 2026

The increase in the number of operating units helps stabilize market prices.

on Sep 24, 2026

Impact Analysis of the UK's Initiation of a Safeguard Investigation on PET Imports

on Aug 10, 2026

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Overview

Polyethylene (PE, CAS 9002-88-4) is a translucent, waxy, crystalline thermoplastic with a density of 0.962 g/mL at 25°C, a melting point of 92°C, and a flash point of 270°C. It is insoluble in water but soluble in hot acetone and benzene, and is the world's largest-volume plastic, valued for its softness, low cost, chemical resistance, and ease of processing.

Packaging: used for shopping bags, cling film, freezer bags, and bubble wrap.
Consumer goods: found in milk bottles, detergent bottles, margarine tubs, and plastic toys.
Industrial: applied in pipes, cable insulation, and rotational-moulded products.
Agriculture: used in greenhouse films and mulch films.

China's production landscape is dominated by high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) showing lower self-sufficiency. Output is concentrated in the northwest, east, and north China regions. The country holds over 30% of global ethylene/PE capacity, yet still imports over 13 million tonnes annually, with a structural gap in high-end grades like metallocene PE. Feedstock routes include oil-based naphtha cracking, ethane-based cracking, and coal-based processes, with profit margins varying by feedstock cost cycles.

Key domestic producers:
Baofeng Energy – coal-based polyethylene producer with integrated operations.
PetroChina – major producer expanding into high-end polyolefins and POE.

Properties

Name: Poly(ethylene)

Ethylene latex

Ethylene resin (high density)

Ethylene resin (low density)

High Density Polyethylene
CAS Number: 9002-88-4
EINECS No.: 618-339-3
Risk Codes: S22;S24/25
HS Code: 39011099; 3901402090

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