In Q1 2024, the global MEG market experienced a mixed trend, driven by rising feedstock Ethylene prices and robust demand from key sectors such as Textile, automotive and Packaging. The North American region, European region, Kuwait and APAC region showed a bullish trend. This bullish trend was due to the fluctuating raw material cost. Rising feedstock ethylene prices and changes in crude oil prices influenced the price movement. while Saudi showed a bullish trend due to the reduced demand from downstream industries such as automotive.
In Q2 2024, the global MEG Market experienced a mixed trend. The North American region and Kuwait showed a bearish trend in prices while Saudi and APAC showed a bullish trend. The North American market showed a decline of 0.7%, Kuwait a decline of 0.8%, this bearish trend was due to the downturn turn resulted from lower feedstock cost of Ethylene and weak demand from key sectors such as automotive, textile and packaging. Saudi and APAC region showed a bullish trend as there was a supply demand imbalance, rising global freight and higher feedstock costs. Unplanned plant shutdown exacerbated supply constraints while robust demand from downstream industries particularly the automotive contributed to the bullish trend.
By Q3 2024, the global MEG market experienced a mixed trend, the North American market experienced a bullish trend, while the MEA, APAC and European region experienced a stable trend and with prices around 482 USD/MT FOB Houston. The North American market experienced a bullish trend due to higher feedstock Ethylene costs and regional plant shutdowns which caused short term supply shortages. Rising freight rates also contributed to price increase. While the stable prices were due to consistent feedstock Ethylene prices and balanced supply demand scenario.
In Q4 2024, the global MEG market prices are expected to decline in the global market. This anticipated drop is linked to lower demand as the winter season arrives, typically resulting in reduced activity in the as Textile, automotive and Packaging. Consequently, the decreased need for MEG could significantly affect pricing. Additionally, year-end destocking activities may further influence the market, leading to a bearish outlook for MEG during this period, particularly affecting its applications in Ethylene production and other downstream uses.