Price-Watch™ provides price assessments for POM across top trading regions:
Asia-Pacific
- POM Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27) FOB Busan, South Korea
- POM Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27) FOB Laem Chabang, Thailand
- POM Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27) CIF Haiphong (Thailand), Vietnam
- POM Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27) CIF Nhava Sheva (South Korea), India
- POM Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27) Ex-Delhi, India
- POM Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27) CIF Shanghai (USA), China
- POM Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27) CIF Shanghai (South Korea), China
North America
- POM Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27) FOB Houston, USA
- POM Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27) CIF Manzanillo (USA), Mexico
Note: In assessments structured as CIF [Importing Port] (Exporting Country), the country mentioned in brackets indicates the primary origin of supply (exporting country), while the named port refers to the destination port in the importing country. Other Incoterms (FOB, FD, EXW, etc.) should be interpreted in accordance with standard international trade definitions.
Polyoxymethylene (POM) Price Trend Q1 2026
In Q1 2026, the global Polyoxymethylene (POM) price trend has been showing a mixed movement across key regions. In the APAC region, South Korea has been recording a slight increase of around 1-2%, supported by steady demand and stable production levels, while Thailand and Vietnam have been witnessing a mild decline due to moderate demand and sufficient supply availability.
In India, prices have been increasing, influenced by rising import costs and supply concerns linked to Middle East disruptions, which have supported market sentiment. In the USA, the POM price trend has been declining, driven by steady supply levels and limited spot buying activity. Overall, the global POM market has been reflecting varied regional dynamics, shaped by demand fluctuations, supply conditions, and external market influences.
South Korea: POM Export prices FOB Busan, South Korea; Grade- Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27)
In Q1 2026, POM prices in South Korea have increased by approximately 1.7%, reflecting a moderate recovery supported by rising cost pressures and tightening supply conditions despite stable downstream demand. POM price trend in South Korea has been upward, driven by elevated energy and feedstock costs across the petrochemical chain.
The market has been witnessing cautious procurement behaviour, with buyers have been aligning purchases with immediate requirements to avoid exposure to volatility. Energy costs have surged following Middle East oil supply disruptions, which has been increasing overall production expenses for POM manufacturers.
Feedstock costs such as formaldehyde and methanol have been rising due to delays in naphtha imports at Yeochun NCC (YNCC), which has declared force majeure. Additionally, reduced operating rates at key producers such as LG Chem and potential shutdowns at Hanwha Solutions have been limiting supply availability.
In March 2026, POM prices in South Korea have increased sharply by around 13.4% compared to February, driven by intensified cost pressures and supply disruptions, reinforcing a firm market tone.
Thailand: POM Export prices FOB Laem Chabang, Thailand; Grade- Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27)
In Q1 2026, POM prices in Thailand have declined by approximately 1.0%, reflecting overall weak market conditions despite rising cost pressures toward the end of the quarter. POM price trend in Thailand has been slightly downward, influenced by moderate downstream demand and sufficient inventory levels during most of the quarter.
The market has been witnessing cautious procurement activity, with buyers have been limiting purchases and maintaining controlled inventory positions. Supply conditions have been relatively balanced initially, while feedstock availability has been tightening gradually due to external disruptions.
Import dependency has been influencing market dynamics, although earlier stock levels have been sufficient to prevent immediate price escalation. In March 2026, POM prices in Thailand have increased sharply by around 13.0% compared to February, driven by severe supply and cost-side disruptions. Shipping constraints through the Strait of Hormuz and Suez delays have reduced crude and naphtha flows, while SCG Chemicals has declared force majeure, tightening supply.
Vietnam: POM Import prices CIF Haiphong (Thailand), Vietnam; Grade- Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27)
In Q1 2026, POM prices in Vietnam (CIF Haiphong from Thailand) have declined by approximately 1.0%, reflecting overall soft market conditions influenced by moderate downstream demand and sufficient import availability from Thailand.
POM price trend in Vietnam has been slightly downward, shaped by cautious procurement behaviour and adequate inventory levels during most of the quarter. The market has been witnessing steady supply inflows, with imports from Thailand have been ensuring consistent availability across key trading hubs.
Buyers have been maintaining need-based purchasing strategies, which has been limiting upward price movements, while feedstock costs have been showing some fluctuations but have been offering limited support to pricing.
In March 2026, POM prices in Vietnam have increased sharply by around 12.8% compared to February, driven by tightening regional supply and rising upstream costs, as disruptions in shipments from Thailand and logistical constraints have been reducing import availability, while higher feedstock and energy costs have been supporting the price surge and shifting the overall market toward a firmer tone.
India: POM Domestically traded prices Ex-Delhi, India; Grade- Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27)
In Q1 2026, POM prices in India (Ex-Delhi), have increased by approximately 4.7%, reflecting a notable recovery supported by rising cost pressures and tightening feedstock availability despite moderate downstream demand. POM price trend in India has been upward, driven by increasing energy and raw material costs across the petrochemical value chain.
The market has been witnessing cautious procurement activity, with buyers have been aligning purchases with immediate requirements while managing inventory levels carefully. In March 2026, POM prices in India have increased sharply by around 18.9% compared to February, as major supply and cost disruptions have emerged during the month.
LNG supply disruptions linked to Middle East geopolitical tensions have reduced industrial gas availability, which has increased production costs for chemicals and polymers such as POM.
Additionally, shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz have tightened crude and feedstock flows, contributing to higher input costs. A delay in naphtha imports at Yeochun NCC (YNCC) has also pushed feedstock costs higher, which has further strengthened the upward pricing trend.
Mexico: POM Import prices CIF Manzanillo (USA), Mexico; Grade- Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27)
According to Price-Watch™, in Q1 2026, POM prices in Mexico (CIF Manzanillo from USA), have declined by approximately 2.0%, reflecting soft market conditions influenced by moderate downstream demand and sufficient import availability. POM price trend in Mexico has been slightly downward, shaped by balanced supply conditions and stable inflows from the USA during most of the quarter.
The market has been witnessing controlled procurement activity, with buyers have been aligning purchases with immediate requirements, while feedstock costs have been showing limited fluctuations and offering minimal support to pricing.
In March 2026, POM prices in Mexico have increased by around 10.5% compared to February, driven by rising freight costs and supply disruptions linked to Middle East geopolitical tensions. Shipping constraints through the Strait of Hormuz have reduced crude and feedstock flows, while increased freight rates have raised import costs into Mexico.
These factors have tightened supply availability and increase overall cost pressure, which has supported the price increase and shifted the market toward a firmer tone toward the end of the quarter.
USA: POM Export prices FOB Houston, USA; Grade- Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27)
In Q1 2026, POM prices in USA have declined by approximately 2.1%, reflecting overall soft market conditions influenced by moderate downstream demand and sufficient domestic supply during most of the quarter.
POM price trend in the USA has been slightly downward, shaped by stable production levels and controlled procurement activity. The market has been witnessing adequate availability, while costs of key inputs such as formaldehyde and methanol have been relatively stable initially, offering limited support to pricing.
In March 2026, POM prices in the USA have increased by around 11.0% compared to February, driven by sharp cost-side pressures and global supply disruptions. Prices of formaldehyde and methanol have risen as Middle East conflict has disrupted crude and naphtha supply, tightening availability of these key raw materials.
Additionally, disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed petrochemical prices higher, while increased freight and insurance costs have raised import expenses. US gasoline prices have surged significantly, further increasing energy costs, although strategic reserve releases have aimed to stabilize the market.
China: POM Import prices CIF Shanghai (South Korea), China; Grade- Low Viscosity Copolymer GPIM (MFR:27)
In Q1 2026, POM prices in China (CIF Shanghai from South Korea), have increased by approximately 1.7%, reflecting a modest recovery as market conditions have been increasingly influenced by rising cost pressures and tightening supply toward the latter part of the quarter.
POM price trend in China has been upward, supported by higher input costs and stable import flows from South Korea during most of the quarter. The market has been witnessing cautious procurement activity, with buyers have been aligning purchases with immediate requirements, while availability has been relatively balanced initially.
Costs of key inputs such as formaldehyde and methanol have been showing gradual increases, which has been providing consistent support to pricing. The overall quarter has been significantly influenced by Middle East disruptions, particularly in March 2026, when POM prices in China have increased sharply by around 13.2% compared to February.
Escalating geopolitical tensions have disrupted crude and naphtha flows, which has increased production costs, while logistical constraints and shipment delays have reduced import availability, further tightening supply and reinforcing the upward pricing trend.





