For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In USA, the Polyoxymethylene Price Index fell by 2.52% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting subdued demand and supply.
• The average Polyoxymethylene price for the quarter was approximately USD 2647.67/MT, reflecting modest seasonal destocking.
• Polyoxymethylene Spot Price weakened as end-of-year destocking and cautious converters reduced spot procurement, limiting momentum.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Forecast indicates modest declines as inventories build and Asian import competition limits prices.
• Polyoxymethylene Production Cost Trend stayed stable due to flat formaldehyde feedstock costs, supporting manufacturing margins.
• Polyoxymethylene Demand Outlook remains subdued as automotive and electronics procurement stays conservative with high inventories.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Index shows downward bias reflecting effects of soft exports and distributor destocking pressures.
• Producers maintained operating rates, managing inventories while offering discounts to preserve volumes ahead of restocking.
Why did the price of Polyoxymethylene change in December 2025 in North America?
• Balanced domestic production and stable feedstock costs prevented cost-push inflation, prices influenced by demand weakness.
• Year-end distributor and converter destocking reduced spot offtake, increasing inventory overhang and pressuring seller offers.
• Export demand softened amid regional trends and logistical cost upticks, limiting support for domestic pricing.
APAC
• In South Korea, the Polyoxymethylene Price Index fell by 5.36% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting balanced supply-demand conditions.
• The average Polyoxymethylene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1803.67/MT. reported by proprietary sources.
• Polyoxymethylene Spot Price remained range-bound as steady domestic runs and balanced trade flows limited volatility.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Forecast indicates modest monthly oscillations driven by post-holiday restocking and selective producer discounts.
• Polyoxymethylene Production Cost Trend stayed predictable due to flat formaldehyde feedstock, supporting producer margin stability.
• Polyoxymethylene Demand Outlook remains subdued as converters delay bulk procurement, maintaining short-cycle purchase behaviour patterns.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Index weakness reflected rising warehouse stocks and muted export enquiries, prompting competitive offers.
• Producers maintained disciplined run-rates, managing inventories to avoid oversupply amid cautious downstream procurement strategies overall.
• Logistics frictions and occasional vessel bunching constrained prompt availability, while consolidation may support longer-term stability.
Why did the price of Polyoxymethylene change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Elevated domestic inventories and muted export demand reduced buying pressure, driving December downward pressure overall.
• Stable formaldehyde feedstock lowered production cost trend, allowing producers to ease offers without margin stress.
• Shipping delays and year-end vessel scheduling created logistical uncertainty, suppressing prompt demand and transactional urgency.
Europe
• In Germany, the Polyoxymethylene Price Index fell by 2.65% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting persistent supply overhang conditions.
• The average Polyoxymethylene price for the quarter was approximately USD 3911.67/MT, based on reported trade volumes.
• Polyoxymethylene Spot Price remained volatile while the Price Index signalled downward pressure from excess availability.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Forecast shows declines into December before modest recovery expected from seasonal restocking activity.
• Polyoxymethylene Production Cost Trend eased with formaldehyde feedstock declines, limiting upward margin pressure for manufacturers.
• Polyoxymethylene Demand Outlook remained weak due to converter destocking and subdued automotive and electronics activity.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Index pressure intensified as imports increased availability and distributors offered discounts to clear stock.
• Polyoxymethylene Spot Price dynamics reflected high operating rates at plants, sustaining ample spot availability into December.
Why did the price of Polyoxymethylene change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Sustained domestic operating rates and steady Asian imports widened availability, exerting downward pressure on prices.
• Converter destocking and muted automotive buying reduced immediate offtake, limiting sellers' pricing power during December.
• Flat formaldehyde costs prevented cost-push inflation, while port lead-time increases added logistical uncertainty and delays.
South America
• In Brazil, the Polyoxymethylene Price Index fell by 4.06% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting modest demand weakness and imports.
• The average Polyoxymethylene price for the quarter was approximately USD 2483.67/MT with balanced CFR inventories.
• Polyoxymethylene Spot Price showed incremental weakness as distributors destocked amid subdued automotive and industrial demand.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Forecast indicates modest near-term easing before gradual recovery driven by seasonal manufacturing restocking.
• Polyoxymethylene Production Cost Trend remained stable due to soft feedstock formaldehyde and CFR landed economics.
• Polyoxymethylene Demand Outlook is subdued, with automotive production declines offsetting modest support from electronics applications.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Index movements were constrained by ample import availability and cautious buyer procurement strategies.
• Inventory accumulation at distributors and import arrivals pressured offers, while major plants operated without outages.
Why did the price of Polyoxymethylene change in December 2025 in South America?
• Weak end-use demand and distributor destocking outweighed steady import volumes, driving downward price pressure locally.
• Rising freight indices mildly increased landed costs, but stable feedstock formaldehyde limited upward cost pressure.
• Buyers delayed purchases anticipating year-end weakness, while import reliability sustained supply and thus softened leverage.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Polyoxymethylene Price Index fell by 1.27% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting elevated inventory overhang.
• The average Polyoxymethylene price for the quarter was approximately USD 2716/MT, based on reported assessments.
• Polyoxymethylene Spot Price remained range-bound as steady domestic runs matched muted buying by converters domestically.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Forecast indicates modest downside near-term before seasonal restocking may support recovery in Q4.
• Polyoxymethylene Production Cost Trend stayed subdued as formaldehyde feedstock costs were stable, limiting cost push-through.
• Polyoxymethylene Demand Outlook remains cautious with automotive and electronics procurement subdued, restraining spot activity overall.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Index movement constrained by steady operating rates, adequate inventories, and weak export demand.
• Asian import flows and logistics reduced landed costs, pressuring domestic offers and keeping prices range-bound.
Why did the price of Polyoxymethylene change in September 2025 in North America?
• Ample domestic inventories and steady production outpaced subdued downstream demand, exerting downward pressure on prices.
• Weak export interest and Asian imports reduced spot premiums, keeping the U.S. market competitively pressured.
• Stable formaldehyde feedstock costs limited cost-driven hikes, while cautious restocking restrained buying ahead of Q4.
APAC
• In South Korea, the Polyoxymethylene Price Index fell by 0.68% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting mild supply surplus.
• The average Polyoxymethylene price for the quarter was approximately USD 1906.00/MT, based on FOB Busan weekly assessments.
• Polyoxymethylene Spot Price activity remained muted as sellers prioritized contractual volumes, keeping the Price Index stable.
• Polyoxymethylene Production Cost Trend was neutral, with formaldehyde feedstock softness limiting upstream cost pressures and margin erosion.
• Polyoxymethylene Demand Outlook remains subdued as automotive and electronics offtake stayed routine, prompting restrained restocking behavior.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Forecast points to range-bound near-term movement, with modest upside if regional restocking accelerates.
• Rising inventories and steady export availability pressured the Polyoxymethylene Price Index, prompting selective discounting on prompt cargoes.
• Domestic plants ran steady rates, supporting supply reliability while exporters adjusted spot allocations to defend market share.
Why did the price of Polyoxymethylene change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Ample domestic production with elevated run rates created supply pressure, outweighing steady limited downstream demand.
• Low formaldehyde feedstock costs removed upward pressure, while occasional port delays affected prompt delivery timings.
• Limited export inquiries and cautious converter restocking sustained muted spot activity and constrained transactional volumes.
Europe
• In Germany, the Polyoxymethylene Price Index fell by 0.93% quarter-over-quarter, amid subdued demand and inventory.
• The average Polyoxymethylene price for the quarter was approximately USD 4018.33/MT, reflecting range-bound spot activity.
• German Polyoxymethylene Spot Price volatility remained limited as balanced domestic output offset seasonal inventory overhangs.
• Polyoxymethylene Production Cost Trend softened due to lower natural gas and formaldehyde feedstock prices moderating.
• Polyoxymethylene Demand Outlook improved late September as converters restarted post-holiday production, supporting incremental spot purchases.
• Short-term Polyoxymethylene Price Forecast suggests modest upside driven by lean inventories and resumed automotive offtake.
• Export constraints and port congestion pressured the Polyoxymethylene Price Index, later eased by logistical improvements.
• Producers maintained stable run rates while distributors offered volume discounts to manage growing inventories effectively.
• Market participants monitored Polyoxymethylene Spot Price and Price Index movements amid competitive Asian export offers.
Why did the price of Polyoxymethylene change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Balanced supply and steady domestic production limited upward pressure despite weak downstream orders and accumulation.
• Lower feedstock formaldehyde and reduced energy costs softened production cost pressures, capping seller-side pricing support.
• Port congestion eased, moderating logistics premiums while cautious buyers delayed restocking until clearer demand emerged.
South America
• In Brazil, the Polyoxymethylene Price Index fell by 1.31% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting muted demand and steady imports.
• The average Polyoxymethylene price for the quarter was approximately USD 2588.67/MT, reflecting subdued consumption patterns.
• Polyoxymethylene Spot Price weakened as continuous imports and distributor destocking increased available onshore inventories.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Forecast points to modest downward drift into early Q4 without notable supply disruptions.
• Polyoxymethylene Production Cost Trend stayed muted with easing freight and stable feedstock reducing cost pressures.
• Polyoxymethylene Demand Outlook remains weak due to automotive softness and cautious converter purchasing industrial segments.
• Polyoxymethylene Price Index reflected declines after September import arrivals replenished warehouses and eased seller leverage.
• Operational continuity at converters persisted, yet hand-to-mouth procurement and elevated inventories limited immediate price recovery.
Why did the price of Polyoxymethylene change in September 2025 in South America?
• Sustained import availability replenished stocks, reducing seller pricing power and prompting downward pressure on notations.
• Weak automotive production and cautious converter buying suppressed demand, limiting spot and contract offtake in September.
• Lower freight rates and stable feedstock costs eased landed costs, removing upward pressure on domestic prices.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• Polyoxymethylene (POM) prices in North America declined by 3.0% QoQ in Q2 2025, weighed down by persistently weak downstream demand and muted global trading activity.
• Supply remained stable, with domestic producers maintaining controlled operating rates and leveraging existing inventories to manage oversupply risks.
• Feedstock formaldehyde prices stayed largely flat throughout the quarter, offering no significant cost-side support for price adjustments.
• Downstream industries, especially automotive and electronics, maintained cautious procurement strategies, focusing on immediate needs amid inventory overhang and weak consumer sentiment.
• Export activity to Latin America showed sporadic improvement in late May but lacked sustained momentum due to global trade policy uncertainty.
• Overall, subdued demand fundamentals and restrained supply management anchored the market in a stable but low-price environment, with minimal scope for upward movement.
Why did the POM Price Index change in July 2025 in North America?
• POM prices in early July held steady but hovered near the lower end of the trading range, as buyers maintained cautious purchasing strategies amid fragile demand recovery in automotive and engineering plastics.
• Mid-July saw a slight uptick in sentiment as producers attempted to pass through modest feedstock cost increases, though competitive pressure from Asian imports capped the extent of price adjustments.
• Inventory control by domestic manufacturers acted as a buffer, preventing oversupply, and enabling suppliers to hold offers firm despite tepid demand across downstream sectors.
• Overall, the market remained stable through July, with prices showing no significant momentum due to the absence of strong demand triggers or meaningful shifts in upstream cost structures.
Europe
• POM prices in Europe increased by 0.5% QoQ in Q2 2025, as stable production dynamics and cautious demand patterns kept the market balanced despite external uncertainties.
• Feedstock formaldehyde prices remained largely flat, providing predictable production costs, though lower natural gas prices offered marginal input cost relief to manufacturers.
• Supply conditions improved with eased logistical bottlenecks early in the quarter, but congestion at key terminals like Hamburg and Rhine transport delays intermittently disrupted flow, preventing any major inventory build-up.
• Downstream demand from the automotive sector remained tepid, with procurement primarily limited to essential volumes amid tariff-related disruptions and cautious industrial sentiment.
• Competitive import offers from Asian suppliers and weak export order volumes added pricing pressure, though disciplined domestic production helped maintain market equilibrium.
• Overall, Europe’s POM market sustained a narrow pricing corridor through Q2, supported by a careful alignment of supply with restrained demand and a muted external trade environment.
Why did the POM Price Index change in July 2025 in Europe?
• POM prices in Europe remained stable in July as supply-demand fundamentals continued to reflect a balanced market, with domestic producers aligning output to subdued offtake and feedstock costs offering no major cost push.
• While logistical challenges persisted across key transport routes, the impact on market availability was minimal, with adequate inventory levels ensuring smooth order fulfillment without triggering price adjustments.
• Demand from automotive and engineering plastics sectors stayed restrained, as buyers adhered to conservative procurement strategies amid economic uncertainty and competitive offers from Asian suppliers.
• With summer holidays approaching and no clear demand catalyst in sight, the market maintained a wait-and-watch approach, keeping POM prices within a stable range, underpinned by cautious sentiment and controlled supply flows.
APAC
• POM prices in APAC declined by 3.6% QoQ in Q2 2025, as persistent demand-side weakness across automotive and electronics sectors outweighed stable supply conditions and subdued feedstock costs.
• Feedstock formaldehyde prices remained low throughout the quarter, providing no cost-driven price support, and eroding upstream production margins for APAC manufacturers.
• Despite stable production operations, high inventory levels and conservative downstream procurement strategies created an oversupplied market, compelling sellers to adopt flexible pricing and negotiation strategies.
• Export activity remained tepid, as global automotive output faced slowdowns and Chinese suppliers offered more competitively priced materials, diminishing South Korea’s share in key export destinations.
• Traders and downstream buyers maintained cautious purchasing behaviour, restricting transactions to need-based volumes while awaiting clearer market signals.
• The POM market in APAC settled into a bearish tone during Q2, with subdued consumption trends and flexible supplier strategies keeping prices on a gradual downward trajectory, absent of any significant recovery triggers.
Why did the POM Price Index change in July 2025 in APAC?
• POM prices in APAC remained stable with a slight downward bias in July, as supply levels stayed ample while demand conditions showed no material improvement, especially from automotive and industrial applications.
• South Korean producers maintained conservative production strategies, aligning output to immediate demand while competitive pressures from Chinese exporters kept sellers from implementing any firm price increases.
• Downstream buyers across APAC continued need-based procurement, avoiding bulk purchases amid cautious macroeconomic sentiment and sufficient on-hand inventories, which restricted any price momentum.
• With no sector-specific demand catalysts emerging and upstream feedstock costs remaining weak, the POM market in APAC held a flat-to-soft trajectory, characterized by cautious trading activity and minimal transactional movement.
South America
• POM prices in South America fell by 3.2% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, driven by persistent demand softness and stable yet ample import inflows that prevented any price recovery.
• Supply-side conditions remained balanced throughout the quarter, as steady imports from the U.S., Europe, and Asia ensured adequate availability despite logistical frictions like customs delays and fluctuating freight rates.
• The logistics network functioned without major disruptions, although extended lead times and minor inland delays persisted, limiting supply chain efficiency but not significantly affecting material availability.
• Demand fundamentals remained weak, especially from the automotive and engineering plastics sectors, with downstream buyers restricting procurement to essential needs amid economic uncertainty and trade policy ambiguities.
• Overall, Brazil’s POM market faced a structurally balanced but soft environment, where ample supply intersected with tepid demand, reinforcing a weak-to-stable pricing trend throughout Q2.
Why did the POM Price Index change in July 2025 in South America?
• POM prices in South America remained largely stable with a slight downward bias in July, as supply flows stayed uninterrupted and demand across core industries continued to underperform.
• Importers in Brazil maintained sufficient stock levels, leveraging lower freight costs and steady overseas supply to meet market requirements without engaging in aggressive procurement.
• Downstream sectors, particularly automotive and consumer goods, refrained from fresh purchases due to soft end-user orders and ample existing inventories, which kept overall consumption tepid.
• With no significant cost-side pressures and absent any demand recovery triggers, the POM market in South America hovered within a narrow price range, where marginal dips reflected cautious trading sentiment rather than structural supply-demand imbalances.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, Polyoxymethylene (POM) prices in North American region recorded a quarter-on-quarter decline compared to Q4 2024. At the start of the quarter, prices declined slightly due to subdued demand and cautious inventory management by end-users. The automotive sector showed average offtake, while export activity weakened amid global economic headwinds.
By mid-quarter, prices increased as rising formaldehyde feedstock costs pushed up production expenses. New tariffs on imports under the Trump administration restricted cheaper alternatives, strengthening domestic producers' pricing power. Automotive manufacturers shifted toward local POM sources to avoid tariff impacts, supporting temporary demand recovery.
Towards the end of the quarter, prices declined again as weak demand from the automotive sector and broader economic concerns weighed on the market. Buyer sentiment deteriorated due to inflation fears and recession risks, leading to restrained procurement. The QoQ decline was ultimately driven by competitive imports early in the quarter, mid-period tariff effects, and persistent demand weakness amid economic uncertainty. The U.S. witnessed the most significant change with a noticeable drop of 1.76% in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024, with the quarter-end price settling at USD 3250/MT FOB New York, reflecting cautious sentiment, and restrained buying interest.
APAC
When compared to Q4 2024, Polyoxymethylene (POM) prices in the APAC region registered a quarter-on-quarter decline in Q1 2025. Early in the quarter, prices fell amid weak demand due to the Lunar New Year holidays. Buyers reduced procurement to avoid surplus inventories, while producers operated at reduced rates. Congestion at major ports and low-load production created domestic oversupply, while policy uncertainty regarding potential U.S.-China tariff adjustments further dampened market activity. Mid-quarter, POM prices saw a modest increase following China’s imposition of anti-dumping duties on imports from the U.S., EU, Japan, and Taiwan. This restricted supply of imported materials and encouraged a shift toward domestic sourcing. Despite low feedstock costs, producers raised prices in response to reduced competition. Downstream restocking post-holidays and moderate demand from the automotive sector provided temporary support to the market. Towards the end of the quarter, prices declined again as buyers, having stockpiled aggressively in late 2024, reduced procurement, leading to oversupply. South Korea saw the most significant change with a noticeable 2.5% decline compared to Q4 2024, with the quarter-end price settling at USD 1940/MT FOB Busan. The QoQ decline was driven by weak post-holiday demand, policy-driven mid-quarter volatility, and an enduring oversupply situation.
Europe
In Q1 2025, Polyoxymethylene (POM) prices in Europe recorded a quarter-on-quarter decline compared to Q4 2024. At the start of the quarter, prices decreased due to weak demand, particularly from the struggling automotive sector facing high costs and Chinese competition. Ample supply from year-end destocking and stable feedstock costs failed to offset the downward pressure as buyers remained cautious amid economic uncertainties. By mid-quarter, prices fell further as cheap Asian imports flooded the market after the Lunar New Year, worsening oversupply. Domestic producers faced squeezed margins from volatile energy costs and inflation, while automotive demand stayed weak due to poor consumer sentiment. The combination of competitive imports and stagnant industrial activity deepened the price decline. Towards the end of the quarter, prices stabilized with a marginal decrease. Reduced natural gas prices helped lower production costs, but elevated feedstock prices and weak demand from the automotive sector kept the market under pressure. Germany saw the most significant change, with a 10.4% decline compared to Q4 2024, with the quarter-end price settling at USD 4020/MT FOB Hamburg. The QoQ drop was driven by persistent oversupply, competitive imports, and muted demand across key sectors.
South America
In Q1 2025, Polyoxymethylene (POM) prices in the South American region recorded a quarter-on-quarter decline compared to Q4 2024. Early in the quarter, At the start of the quarter, prices decreased due to lower import costs from the U.S. and Asia, driven by sluggish pre-Lunar New Year market conditions and competitively priced Chinese cargoes. Subdued domestic demand and ample supply reinforced the downward trend, creating a buyer-friendly market environment. By mid-quarter, prices saw a modest increase as rising U.S. import costs, fuelled by higher formaldehyde prices and a depreciating local currency, pushed up expenses. Supply chain disruptions from heavy rainfall in São Paulo compounded these pressures, delaying raw material deliveries. Meanwhile, pre-emptive buying from automotive manufacturers anticipating tariff-related cost hikes provided temporary demand support. However, this recovery was limited by cautious procurement strategies and mixed industrial activity. Towards the end of the quarter, POM prices in Brazil declined again due to weak demand and stable supply conditions. Brazil saw the most significant change with a noticeable 1.9% decline compared to Q4 2024, with the quarter-end price settling at USD 3305/MT CFR Santos, reflecting lacklustre demand and limited buying interest.
