For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Hexene Price Index fell by 5.10% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weaker export pull.
• The average Hexene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1178.33/MT, inventories stayed unusually high.
• Tightened allocations supported Hexene Spot Price movements while the Hexene Price Index remained generally soft.
• Market consensus in November informed a neutral Hexene Price Forecast with limited upside through Q1.
• Stable ethane and moderate ethylene supported a benign Hexene Production Cost Trend, limiting producer pass-through.
• Procurement restraint weighed on the Hexene Demand Outlook as LLDPE and HDPE producers limited purchases.
• Rising inventories, muted exports pressured pricing, reflecting weak Hexene Price Index and ample supply remaining.
• Continuous Gulf Coast run-rates, smooth logistics kept output high, supporting spot availability despite subdued demand.
Why did the price of Hexene change in December 2025 in North America?
• Persistently high Gulf Coast production increased inventories, overwhelming export demand and pressuring spot prices lower.
• Competitive shale ethane reduced feedstock costs, easing Hexene Production Cost Trend and lowering negotiated offers.
• Smooth port operations and rail logistics removed premiums, enabling exports that could not absorb surplus.
APAC
• In South Korea, the Hexene Price Index fell by 9.36% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting import-weighted oversupply and softer downstream demand.
• The average Hexene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1298.33/MT, driven by weaker seasonal demand.
• Hexene Spot Price remained pressured as abundant imports and subdued converter buying kept spot liquidity thin across Busan terminals.
• Hexene Production Cost Trend eased with softer naphtha-derived ethylene, slightly narrowing domestic production cost differentials versus imports.
• Hexene Demand Outlook points to muted year-end offtake and controlled procurements, limiting upside for prompt FOB quotations.
• Hexene Price Forecast signals modest further softening early Q1 unless import flows slow or cracker outages emerge.
• Hexene Price Index movements reflected steady domestic runs, ample term cargo arrivals, and restrained converter tendering behavior.
• Inventories at Busan and Ulsan buffered shocks while export demand softened, keeping transactional activity subdued and prices range-bound.
Why did the price of Hexene change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Ample import arrivals supplied by Gulf and US exporters flooded the market, overwhelming local demand.
• Weaker naphtha and ethylene reduced production costs, allowing imports to undercut domestic offers and pressure prices.
• Seasonal converter maintenance and subdued downstream orders curtailed offtake, amplifying oversupply and pushing FOB values lower.
Europe
• In Germany, the Hexene Price Index fell by 5.79% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting softer imports and reduced demand.
• The average Hexene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1465.00/MT, supported by steady imports.
• Hexene Spot Price remained range-bound as import flow continuity and terminal inventories prevented price shifts.
• Hexene Price Forecast indicates marginal downside next quarter absent supply disruptions or stronger end-use demand.
• Hexene Production Cost Trend showed modest pressure from transatlantic feedstock costs, limiting seller margin recovery.
• Hexene Demand Outlook remains subdued seasonally with LLDPE and LDPE converters maintaining hand-to-mouth procurement strategies.
• Hexene Price Index weakness reflected comfortable terminal stocks and export windows, reducing modest upward pressure.
• Port and inland logistics efficiency preserved supply continuity, restraining Hexene Price Index volatility into year-end.
Why did the price of Hexene change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Regular imports from Netherlands, Belgium, and US Gulf ensured terminal inventories, preventing supply-driven price increases.
• Muted downstream polymer demand and year-end order slowdowns reduced offtake, contributing to German price softening.
• Elevated stable energy and transatlantic feedstock costs limited cost pass-through, keeping sellers from raising offers.
MEA
• In Saudi Arabia, the Hexene Price Index fell by 22.63% quarter-over-quarter, driven by feedstock abundance.
• The average Hexene price for the quarter was approximately USD 934.67/MT, reflecting low production costs.
• Hexene Spot Price weakened as sellers offered FOB parcels amid elevated inventories and routine exports.
• Hexene Price Forecast indicates limited near-term downside absent feedstock disruption or rebound in downstream demand.
• Hexene Production Cost Trend reflected subsidised ethane and steady cracker operations, keeping production costs low.
• Hexene Demand Outlook remains balanced with routine LLDPE and LDPE procurement and limited spot buying.
• Hexene Price Index stayed weak as full-rate production and ample port inventories limited upward momentum.
• Strong Jubail operating rates and cleared chemical permits sustained export availability, capping upward FOB pressure.
Why did the price of Hexene change in December 2025 in MEA?
• Unrestricted ethane supply and uninterrupted cracker runs maintained high hexene availability, pressuring FOB values lower.
• Year-end buying in China and India reduced spot inquiries, moderating export demand and flattening prices.
• Freight war-risk premiums raised shipping costs, but riyal peg and cost advantage absorbed upward pressure.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In USA, Hexene Price Index fell 15.07% quarter-over-quarter, driven by oversupply and weak polyethylene demand.
• The average Hexene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1241.67/MT with subdued contract activity.
• Hexene Spot Price stayed pressured as inventories rose and spot activity declined across Gulf Coast.
• Hexene Price Forecast points to continued downside near term unless polyethylene demand materially strengthens soon.
• Recently Hexene Production Cost Trend eased from natural gas, insufficient to counterbalance demand-driven price weakness.
• Hexene Demand Outlook muted as LLDPE and HDPE converters delay purchases amid soft macro signals.
• Hexene Price Index weakness was amplified by competitive Asian offers and reduced export flows abroad.
• Producers held utilization with Chevron Phillips, INEOS, Shell, Sasol and ExxonMobil running near full rates.
Why did the price of Hexene change in September 2025 in North America?
• Weak polyethylene demand reduced spot procurement, causing domestic sellers to lower offers and FOB prices.
• High Gulf Coast inventories and plants run limited scarcity, maintaining downward pressure on Hexene pricing.
• Competitive Asian origin offers, and stronger US dollar weakened export demand, further depressing FOB Hexene pricing.
APAC
• In South Korea, the Hexene Price Index fell by 15.41% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting oversupply and weak demand.
• The average Hexene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1432.33/MT, reflecting moving average weakness.
• Hexene Spot Price weakened as exporters discounted offers to manage inventory amid soft polyethylene procurement.
• Hexene Price Forecast signals modest recovery late Q4 if polyethylene restocking and export orders materialize.
• Hexene Production Cost Trend stayed subdued as ethylene feedstock eased, limiting upward cost pressure overall.
• Hexene Demand Outlook remains weak with LLDPE and HDPE procurement restrained by slow construction activity.
• Hexene Price Index reflected elevated inventories and cautious export interest, prompting sellers to prioritize volumes.
• Domestic crackers operated steadily, maintaining output and supply continuity, tempering volatility across spot markets.
Why did the price of Hexene change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Persistent weak polyethylene procurement and cautious converters reduced offtake, directly pressuring Hexene Price Index lower.
• Ample imports with domestic cracker runs sustained supply, increasing inventories and softening Hexene Spot Price.
• Softer ethylene feedstock costs eased production costs, but demand shortfall prevented meaningful Hexene price recovery.
Europe
• In Germany, the Hexene Price Index fell by 15.0% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting import-led oversupply and caution.
• The average Hexene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1555.00/MT, based on CFR Hamburg
• Hexene Spot Price weakened with port inventories accumulating, exerting downward influence on the Price Index.
• Hexene Price Forecast indicates modest downside near term unless polyethylene restocking significantly increases demand momentum.
• Hexene Production Cost Trend remained muted as ethylene feedstock and energy benchmarks showed modest pressure.
• Hexene Demand Outlook stayed subdued with packaging and construction sectors restricting offtake, keeping reordering cautious.
• High inventories and steady imports depressed offers, keeping the Hexene Price Index under downward pressure.
• Routine plant operations and Rhine logistics friction raised costs but did not reverse Hexene weakness.
Why did the price of Hexene change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Uninterrupted import flows and deep-sea arrivals increased port inventories, overwhelming local offtake and depressing offers.
• Subdued polyethylene demand from packaging and construction curtailed Hexene offtake, prompting converters to delay replenishment.
• Stable ethylene feedstock prices and contained energy costs limited cost-push, failing to offset oversupply pressure.
MEA
• In Saudi Arabia, the Hexene Price Index fell by 20.3% quarter-over-quarter, driven by excess supply.
• The average Hexene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1208.00/MT, based on FOB-Jubail spot.
• Hexene Spot Price eased as sellers discounted offers amid abundant inventories and cautious buyer behaviour.
• Hexene Price Forecast is subdued, with limited upside until polyethylene demand recovers across Asia-Pacific markets.
• Hexene Production Cost Trend eased as ethylene feedstock prices softened, marginally relieving producer margin pressure.
• Hexene Demand Outlook remains weak, constrained by seasonal construction lull and cautious polyethylene converter procurement.
• Hexene Price Index accelerated as exporters cut offers and buyers deferred purchases awaiting lower costs.
• Inventory accumulation, steady Saudi plant runs amplified surplus, pressuring spot availability and depressing export offers.
Why did the price of Hexene change in September 2025 in MEA?
• Consistent oversupply from uninterrupted Saudi runs increased inventories, reducing urgency among buyers and lowering offers.
• Soft polyethylene demand, seasonal construction lull, cautious converter restocking limited offtake and weakened price support.
• Stable ethylene feedstock prices eased production costs, diminishing producer urgency to defend Hexene Price Index.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Hexene Price Index in the U.S. averaged USD 1,507/MT FOB Texas through Q2 2025, sliding consistently due to persistent oversupply and subdued domestic and export offtake.
• The Hexene Spot Price stood at USD 1,343/MT by June, despite slight feedstock ethylene gains, as elevated inventories and weak construction and packaging demand outweighed cost support.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
• Prices are expected to remain pressured, with housing slowdown, high interest rates, and soft auto OEM output keeping converters on short procurement cycles despite softer natural gas input costs.
• The Hexene Production Cost Trend softened marginally, aided by low natural gas prices (USD 6.89/MMBtu GCV), though producers avoided deeper price cuts to protect margins.
• The Hexene Demand Outlook is flat, as HDPE and LLDPE blending for industrial polymers sees routine procurement, but packaging, housing films, and auto parts remain muted due to macroeconomic caution and export weakness.
Asia-Pacific
• The Hexene Price Index in China averaged USD 1,653/MT CFR Nanjing during Q2 2025, down from earlier highs as oversupply and weak demand continued to pressure pricing.
• The Hexene Spot Price reached USD 1,498/MT by June, falling steadily from April’s USD 1,773 as Chinese buyers deferred procurement amid excess inventories from key exporters like Saudi Arabia and South Korea.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
• Prices are projected to stay soft, driven by ample terminal stockpiles, sluggish construction and packaging demand, and transient boosts from NEV-linked automotive output that failed to sustain momentum.
• The Hexene Production Cost Trend eased, supported by lower upstream ethylene and freight rates, allowing sellers to offer competitive concessions despite stable domestic operating rates.
• The Hexene Demand Outlook remains weak, as construction-linked polyethylene (piping, insulation, and films) and automotive polymers face tepid orders, despite moderate support from NEV-driven HDPE/LLDPE applications.
Middle East & Africa
• The Hexene Price Index in Saudi Arabia averaged USD 1,528/MT FOB Al-Jubail across Q2 2025, slipping consistently as domestic stockpiles swelled and export flows to China, Malaysia, and the UAE faltered.
• The Hexene Spot Price closed Q2 at USD 1,440/MT, pressured by low international buying interest and continued oversupply in regional storage hubs.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
• Prices are expected to stay weak, with soft downstream HDPE/LLDPE utilization in packaging and construction and muted export inquiries keeping sellers reliant on discounts.
• The Hexene Production Cost Trend eased further with lower ethylene values, but ample stock levels and subdued offtake restricted any price recovery despite flexibility in production economics.
• The Hexene Demand Outlook remains soft, as plastic converters and processors for geomembranes, cable sheathing, automotive parts, and flexible films kept procurement conservative amid low downstream operating rates.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The Q1 2025 pricing trend for Hexene in the U.S. reflected a predominantly bullish start, followed by signs of bearish activity as the quarter ended. In January, prices rose, driven by resolving supply chain issues, particularly following the ILA strike, and increased feedstock costs, notably from HDPE and LDPE manufacturers. Demand was robust due to rising activity in both the automotive and construction sectors, which countered inflationary pressures.
Transitioning into February, the bullish sentiment continued with prices further escalating due to sustained demand and heightened feedstock costs. Despite challenges like high inflation, sectors reliant on Hexene maintained a steady need, resulting in continued upward price momentum as supply constraints affected production.
However, entering March, the trend shifted to bearish territory as an oversupply emerged. Buyers were hesitant to make significant purchases, prioritizing immediate needs, which led to weakened market activity. Suppliers had to rethink their pricing strategies to stimulate demand amid these challenges.
Overall, while Q1 began with optimism due to strong demand, a notable downturn occurred in March, indicating a more complex market landscape by quarter-end.
APAC
Hexene prices in South Korea throughout Q1 2025 exhibited significant volatility, driven by shifting demand dynamics and market conditions. January began on a bearish note, with prices declining due to subdued demand from downstream sectors, particularly HDPE and LDPE, against a backdrop of broader economic uncertainty and political instability. The oversupply in the domestic market, coupled with diminishing construction activities, exacerbated the downward pricing pressure.
In February, a bullish shift emerged as rising feedstock costs, particularly for ethylene, stimulated market activity. Increased prices for HDPE and LDPE due to strong demand in the packaging sector provided upward momentum for Hexene prices. Despite a dip in automotive sales, Hexene maintained robust demand from sectors like food and pharmaceuticals, thanks to the continued consumption in packaging materials.
However, March saw a reversion to bearish trends due to oversupply and weakened demand. Suppliers faced challenges in moving stocks as buyers focused on immediate restocking needs, resulting in limited market activity. Overall, Q1 2025 highlighted Hexene's dependency on broader economic factors and sector-specific demand, suggesting a cautious outlook moving forward.
Europe
For Q1 2025, Hexene prices in the European region particularly Germany demonstrated significant fluctuations, influenced by varying demand and supply dynamics. January began with a decline in Hexene prices due to reduced demand from the construction sector, compounded by sluggish international market conditions. The trend continued downward as weak demand persisted, particularly amid broader economic challenges in the Eurozone, leading to further inventory destocking.
In February, prices experienced a temporary bullish reversal, driven by escalating feedstock costs and price hikes in downstream derivatives like HDPE and LDPE.
March saw a bearish trend, marked by oversupply and weak demand, as sellers struggled to clear stock. Most transactions were characterized by urgent replenishment needs rather than large orders, resulting in limited market activity. Suppliers attempted to stimulate demand by revising pricing strategies amidst declining shipping costs, which further pressured prices downward.
Overall, the quarter reflected a complex interplay of high producer stock levels, soft demand in key sectors, and inflationary pressures, culminating in a cautious market environment by the end of March.
Middle East
In Q1 2025, the pricing trend for Hexene in the Middle East reflected a complex interplay between supply challenges, demand fluctuations, and macroeconomic influences. January began with rising prices, primarily driven by increased feedstock costs from HDPE and LDPE manufacturers. This upward trend was supported by a generally bullish global solvent market, amid underlying economic pressures such as inflation and weakening currencies.
In February, Hexene prices continued on a bullish trajectory, as feedstock costs and strong activity in downstream polyethylene markets exerted additional pressure. Although prices rose, demand remained stable, suggesting that the effects of inflation and higher raw material costs were overshadowing typical demand sensitivities.
However, March marked a shift to a bearish trend, largely due to oversupply and weak market demand. Suppliers faced difficulties in offloading stock, as buyers focused on immediate restocking rather than larger orders. This led to price adjustments among suppliers in an attempt to stimulate demand amid a cautious market environment. Overall, Q1 2025 illustrated the challenges faced in the Hexene market, characterized by initial price hikes followed by a downturn as conditions shifted towards oversupply and weak consumer interests.
