The Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) market displayed varied pricing movements in both the USA and Europe during the middle of March 2025. The PVC prices in Europe held steady, and the United States experienced a decline in product prices due to ongoing difficulties in the housing industry at that time.

The PVC prices in the USA faced a downturn during mid-March 2025 due to economic uncertainties and weak downstream construction demand amid increased housing sector challenges. According to the market participants, a further rebound in housing activity is being delayed due to volatility in financial markets, potential tariff uncertainty, and concerns over monetary policy shifts in the region. Although mortgage rates have declined from previous highs, they remain significantly elevated, causing hesitation among homebuyers and limiting new construction activity for the time being. Meanwhile, from the upstream perspective, Ethylene Dichloride (EDC) prices also remained stable in the US market supporting the recent ease in the PVC prices by stabilizing the production cost pressure. Additionally, existing homeowners, locked into lower mortgage rates, are reluctant to sell. Further limiting the PVC consumption and prompting price depreciation in the US market during this week.

In contrast, the European PVC market remained stable despite low demand and competition in the regional market regarding import offers from Asia. PVC prices in the spot market saw a marginal decline in Northwest Europe, however contract prices held firm across the region. A key development was the restart of production at Anwil 's PVC plant in Poland, which has been offline since February due to a fire incident. The plant’s return to operation helped to stabilize the supply levels in the PVC market in central and Eastern Europe. Further, the feedstock EDC prices declined contributing to the consistent production rates during the mid-March 2025.

Market participants in Europe continued to face cost pressures, with producers citing rising production costs with rising energy costs and unsustainable profit margins as key concerns during price negotiations in the PVC market. However, buyers, particularly in Northwest Europe, resisted PVC price increases and opted to source competitively priced imports from Asia.

As per ChemAnalyst, the US PVC market is expected to remain under pressure due slowdown in housing activity. Meanwhile, the European PVC price trend is likely to continue to remain stable in the coming weeks, due to balanced supply levels and sufficient inventory levels. Moreover, competition from lower-price Asian imports and economic slowdown are likely to restrict the PVC price momentum in the near term.