Recyclates Prices 2026 Uptrend Continues as Buyer Resistance Grows Amid US-Iran Conflict – Polymer Price Trends
Recyclates prices 2026 – Full price table (18/05/2026 →25/05/2026)
| ITEM | 18/05/2026 | 25/05/2026 | +/− |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottle grade PET chips domestic market | 9,000 yuan/ton | 8,400 yuan/ton | -600 |
| Chinese bottle-grade PET chips FOB export price | 1,200 $/ton | 1,150 $/ton | -50 |
| LDPE CFR Est China | 1,230 $/ton | 1,210 $/ton | -20 |
| PET Semidull — Fiber chips | 7,500 yuan/ton | 7,200 yuan/ton | -300 |
| PET Bright — Fiber chips | 7,700 yuan/ton | 7,350 yuan/ton | -350 |
| Pure Terephthalic Acid PTA domestic market | 6,590 yuan/ton | 6,150 yuan/ton | -440 |
| Pure Terephthalic Acid PTA FOB China | 890 $/ton | 800 $/ton | -90 |
| Monoethyleneglycol (MEG) South China | 5,100 yuan/ton | 4,800 yuan/ton | -300 |
| Monoethyleneglycol (MEG) CFR China | 630 $/ton | 590 $/ton | -40 |
| Paraxylene PX FOB Taiwan market | 1,183 $/ton | 1,100 $/ton | -83 |
| Paraxylene PX FOB South-Korea market | 1,186 $/ton | 1,103 $/ton | -83 |
| Paraxylene PX FOB EU market | 1,206 $/ton | 1,141 $/ton | -65 |
| Polyester filament POY 150D/48F domestic market | 8,600 yuan/ton | 8,550 yuan/ton | -50 |
| Recycled Polyester filament POY 150/48F domestic market | 7,400 yuan/ton | 7,400 yuan/ton | – |
| Polyester filament DTY 150D/48F domestic market | 9,650 yuan/ton | 9,650 yuan/ton | – |
| Polyester filament FDY 68D/24F | 9,550 yuan/ton | 9,550 yuan/ton | -100 |
| Polyester filament FDY 150D/96F domestic market | 8.950 yuan/ton | 8,850 yuan/ton | -100 |
| Polyester staple fiber 1.4D 38mm domestic market | 8,180 yuan/ton | 7,560 yuan/ton | -620 |
| Caprolactam (CPL) domestic market | 11,950 yuan/ton | 11,800 yuan/ton | -150 |
| Caprolactam (CPL) CFR China | 1,615 $/ton | 1,630 $/ton | +15- |
| Nylon 6 chips overseas market | Northeast Asia / China $/T 1,600 – $2,010Southeast Asia $/T 2,220
Europe / Germany $/T 2,092 – $2,560 Middle East / UAE $/T 2,170 – $3,573 North America / USA $/T 3,031 – $3,440
|
Northeast AsiaCFR Spot US $1,970 – US $2,040 per metric ton Southeast AsiaCFR Import ParityUS $2,180 – US $2,250 per metric ton EuropeFD / Domestic ContractUS $2,520 – US $2,600 per metric ton North AmericaDelivered (Domestic Contract)US $3,410 – US $3,480 per metric ton
|
– |
| Nylon 6 chips conventional spinning domestic market | 12,450 yuan/ton | 12,000 yuan/ton | -450 |
| Nylon 6 chips high speed spinning domestic market | 12,950 yuan/ton | 12,750 yuan/ton | -200 |
| Nylon 6.6 chips domestic market | 22,000 yuan/ton | 20,500 yuan/ton | -1,500 |
| Nylon6 Filament POY 86D/24F domestic market | 14,900 yuan/ton | 14,500 yuan/ton | -400 |
| Nylon6 Filament DTY 70D/24F domestic market | 17,000 yuan/ton | 16,700 yuan/ton | -300 |
| Nylon6 Filament FDY 70D/24F | 15,900 yuan/ton | 15,400 yuan/ton | -500 |
| Spandex 20D domestic market | 31,700 yuan/ton | 31,700 yuan/ton | – |
| Spandex 30D domestic market | 31,200 yuan/ton | 31,200 yuan/ton | – |
| Spandex 40D domestic market | 28,500 yuan/ton | 28,500 yuan/ton | – |
| Adipic Acid China domestic market | 9,100 yuan/ton | 9,200 yuan/ton | +100 |
| Adipic Acid Europe market | 2,225 $/ton | 2,140 $/ton | -85 |
| Benzene domestic market East China | 8,300 yuan/ton | 8,000 yuan/ton | -300 |
| Benzene CFR China | 1,049 $/ton | 1,059 $/ton | +10 |
| Ethylene South East market | 1,230 $/ton | 1,170 $/ton | -60 |
| Ethylene NWE market CIF | 1,479 $/ton | 1,375$/ton | -63 |
| Acrylonitrile (ACN) domestic market | 10,750 yuan/ton | 10,750 yuan/ton | – |
| Acrylonitrile ACN Southeast Asia | 1,73 $/ton | 1,71 $/ton | -20 |
| Acrylic staple fiber (ASF) CFR China | 16,055 yuan/ton | 16,055 yuan/ton | – |
| VSF viscose staple fiber | 14,100 yuan/ton | 14,100 yuan/ton | – |
| PP Powder domestic market | 9,750 yuan/ton | 9,850 yuan/ton | +100 |
| Naphtha overseas market | 897 $/ton | 808 $/ton | -89 |
| Phenol domestic market (Jinan Dezheng / Yanshan Petrochemical, Shandong) | 8,095 yuan/ton | 7,750 yuan/ton | -345 |
| Recycled PET | 4,200 yuan/ton | 4,300 yuan/ton | +100 |
Recyclates Prices 2026 Uptrend Continue but Buyer Resistance Intensifies
Sharp Price Increases Hit European Recyclates Market
Standard recyclate prices across Europe accelerated sharply in April 2026, rising at a much faster pace than in previous months. Several grades recorded triple-digit increases, with some recyclates climbing by more than €200 per tonne as supply pressures intensified throughout the polymer market.
The latest increase reflects mounting disruption across global petrochemical supply chains following the escalating US-Iran conflict. Feedstock shortages, rising transportation costs, and reduced exports from the Middle East have combined to push thermoplastics and recycled polymer prices significantly higher.
Industry analysts say recyclate markets are now facing one of the most volatile pricing periods since the pandemic-era supply chain disruptions.
For more insights on polymer prices, readers are increasingly monitoring pricing benchmarks and contract settlements across polyethylene, polypropylene, and engineering plastics markets.
How the US-Iran Conflict Is Affecting Polymer and Recyclate Prices
The ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Iran have severely disrupted global petrochemical trade flows. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical shipping routes for oil and petrochemical exports, remains under pressure, creating uncertainty across plastics and chemical markets. Reuters and ICIS report that disruptions in Middle Eastern supply have sharply increased feedstock and energy costs for polymer manufacturers worldwide.
European petrochemical prices surged during April as producers struggled with higher naphtha costs and constrained supply. Ethylene and propylene contract prices reportedly increased by more than €450 per tonne in some cases, placing additional cost pressure on recyclate producers and converters.
At the same time, Iran temporarily halted petrochemical exports following attacks on major industrial hubs, tightening global resin availability even further.
These developments have caused prices for virgin plastics such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) to rise rapidly, which in turn has supported higher recyclate pricing across Europe and Asia.
Buyer Resistance Begins to Grow
Despite strong upward momentum in recyclate prices, buyer resistance is becoming increasingly visible across the market. recyclates prices 2026
Converters and packaging manufacturers are struggling to absorb rapid cost increases while consumer demand remains uncertain in several sectors. Many buyers are delaying purchases, reducing inventory exposure, or negotiating shorter-term contracts in an attempt to manage risk.
Market participants report that while recyclate supply remains tight, downstream demand is no longer keeping pace with rising asking prices. This disconnect is creating growing tension between recyclers, distributors, and end users.
Some processors also fear that excessively high recyclate premiums could encourage buyers to temporarily shift back toward lower-cost virgin material if crude oil prices stabilize later in the year.
Feedstock Costs Continue to Pressure the Market
Feedstock inflation remains one of the largest drivers behind current polymer and recyclate pricing.
According to multiple market reports, disruptions linked to the US-Iran conflict have significantly reduced petrochemical flows through the Middle East, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts estimate that global petrochemical trade worth up to $25 billion annually has been affected.
The result has been sharp increases in crude oil, naphtha, and energy prices, all of which directly influence plastic production costs. The International Energy Agency recently warned that global oil supply could remain below demand throughout 2026 due to continued geopolitical instability.
For recyclers, higher electricity costs, transportation expenses, and sorting costs are adding further pressure to already strained margins.
Europe Faces Continued Supply Chain Challenges
European plastics manufacturers remain especially vulnerable because of their heavy dependence on imported feedstocks and Middle Eastern resin supply.
Industry experts say many companies are still dealing with logistics bottlenecks, limited material availability, and shipping uncertainty. The region’s recyclers are simultaneously facing stronger regulatory pressure to increase recycled content while operating costs continue rising.
Several chemical producers have warned that supply tightness and elevated prices could persist throughout the remainder of 2026 if geopolitical tensions remain unresolved.
The combination of expensive virgin polymers and constrained recyclate availability is creating a difficult environment for packaging, automotive, and construction sectors that rely heavily on recycled plastics.
Will Recyclate Prices Keep Rising?
Most analysts expect recyclate prices to remain elevated in the near term, although the pace of increases could begin slowing if buyer resistance strengthens further.
Much will depend on developments surrounding the US-Iran conflict, shipping conditions through the Strait of Hormuz, and global crude oil trends over the coming months.
If supply disruptions continue, recyclate markets may remain structurally tight throughout 2026. However, weaker industrial demand and slowing economic growth could eventually limit further price spikes.
For now, the plastics recycling industry continues to operate in an environment defined by volatility, geopolitical uncertainty, and intense cost pressure.
Conclusion
The sharp rise in recyclate prices during April 2026 highlights how closely the recycling industry is tied to global geopolitics and energy markets. The US-Iran conflict has disrupted petrochemical supply chains, increased feedstock costs, and pushed polymer markets into a new period of instability.
While recyclers are benefiting from stronger pricing, growing buyer resistance suggests the market may soon face a balancing point between supply shortages and affordability.
Businesses across the plastics value chain will continue monitoring energy prices, petrochemical exports, and regional demand trends as the market adjusts to ongoing uncertainty.
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