Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) markets in both Europe and North America remained largely stable in April 2025, despite underlying supply and demand challenges. Market participants in both markets continue to face the woes of tariff imposition by the USA, reduced consumption, and poor downstream demand.

In the European market, EVA prices have held firm amid subdued trading activities and minor supply constraints. Market participants indicated that operational issues, including a force majeure at a production facility in France, limited the presence of certain EVA grades. Despite little decline in April’s ethylene contract price, EVA prices remained more stable compared to the polyethylene grades. The overall market sentiments have remained cautious, influenced by early preparation for the Easter holidays and Uncertainties rising due to the tariff situation.

Demand fundamentals in Europe have remained mixed. While the packaging sector, a major consumer of EVA has experienced decreasing demand in February and March 2025, there was marginal uptick in demand for MEVA film grades used in the agricultural films, linked to seasonal activities in farming and horticulture. However, many buyers have adopted a wait-and-see attitude and purchased only the required quantities due to uncertainties regarding future demand and trading strategies.

Seeing the North American market, the spot prices of EVA have also remained constant aligned with low trading activity linked to macroeconomic uncertainties and subdued demand. Manufacturers have adjusted their operating rates in view of weak demand for both EVA and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which share production lines. Moreover, as per sources, attempts by a few vinyl acetate monomer producers to raise prices were rejected by the EVA buyers. USA’s domestic EVA market saw limited trading activity, with no major supply challenge in April. The export volumes have declined significantly, suggesting massive uncertainty in the worldwide polymer market.

A critical factor affecting the EVA market is the increasing tensions in international trade and tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump issued the executive order on April 2, 2025, imposing a new round of tariffs on the US imports, including a minimum 10% tariff on all imported goods, supplemented by a massive scale of reciprocal duties for major trading partners. A week later, a 90-day pause on the imposed tariffs was sanctioned. Besides, the US rolled back the exemption granted under the USMCA for imports from Canada, raising concerns among the traders about a potential retaliatory measure.

Looking ahead, ChemAnalyst market intelligence foresees EVA prices in both markets to be steady in the short run. In Europe, the market is expected to stay balanced notwithstanding early concerns about supply chaos. Similarly, in North America, manufacturers intend to stay away from price fluctuations amid geopolitical tensions and sluggish consumer demand. Nonetheless, considering continued tariff problems and the next seasonal demand in the downstream footwear and packaging sectors, a minor rise in EVA prices may be witnessed during the mid to late part of the second quarter of 2025.