Q3 2025 Polystyrene (PS) GPPS Price Insight
In Q3 2025, the PS price trend has been consistently moving downward across most major regions, with prices having been continuously declining due to weaker demand in downstream industries such as packaging and consumer goods. The global PS price trend has been being influenced by an ongoing economic slowdown, with many regions having been experiencing a reduction in procurement activities.
Supply levels have been remaining stable, but demand has not been rising in line with expectations, causing a steady drop in prices. The PS price trend has also been being shaped by external factors like fluctuating freight costs and economic instability, further dampening market confidence. Overall, the downward trend has been reflecting a broader market hesitation, where supply has been outpacing demand, creating pricing pressures across regions.
USA
PS Export prices FOB Houston, USA, Grade – General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS).
According to the PriceWatch, in the USA, PS export prices have been showing a downward trend in Q3 2025, falling within the range of 1470–1490 USD. The PS price trend has been being influenced by reduced demand from industries such as packaging, resulting in less robust export activities. The PS price trend in the USA has largely been reflecting a soft global demand and a cautious market outlook.
Despite stable supply, weaker procurement from international markets has been keeping downward pressure on prices. As demand has continued to be sluggish, the PS price trend has remained largely negative, reflecting ongoing economic uncertainty in both domestic and international markets. In September 2025, PS prices in the US have decreased by 2.3%. Prices in the U.S. GPPS market have been declining as demand from packaging, consumer appliances, and construction-related applications has been weakening throughout September.
The fall has been primarily driven by soft feedstock Styrene Monomer prices, which have been lowering production costs and reducing cost-push support for producers. Distributors and converters have been continuing to liquidate existing inventories, leading to minimal spot buying activity. Export demand from Latin America has also been easing as buyers have been preferring to defer fresh procurement due to a bearish sentiment in the region.
Mexico
PS Imported prices CIF Manzanillo, Mexico from USA, Grade – General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS).
In Mexico, PS imported prices have been showing a slight decrease in Q3 2025, following the same trend as in the USA. The PS price trend has largely been driven by weaker demand from the packaging and consumer goods sectors. The PS price trend in Mexico has been consistent with the broader global trend, as the region has been facing a combination of subdued domestic demand and slower procurement from downstream industries. Supply has been stable, but the lack of stronger purchasing activity has been keeping prices under pressure.
The PS price trend has been showing a mild decline, as demand has continued to be low in Mexico despite relatively stable supply levels. In September 2025, PS prices in Mexico have decreased by 2.2%. Mexican import prices have been softening during September as lower U.S. FOB export offers have been translating into weaker CIF Manzanillo levels. Importers have been remaining cautious in placing new orders as downstream demand in the packaging and consumer goods sectors has been limited, with converters having been drawing down existing inventories instead of replenishing stocks.
Brazil
PS Export prices FOB Santos, Brazil, Grade – General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS).
In Brazil, PS export prices have been declining by 2.1% in Q3 2025, reflecting a similar trend observed in other regions. The PS price trend in Brazil has primarily been driven by weaker demand in the packaging and consumer goods sectors. The economic slowdown, combined with limited export opportunities, has been keeping prices in a downward trajectory. While supply levels have remained steady, the absence of strong purchasing activity from international buyers has been leading to pressure on prices.
The PS price trend in Brazil has been mirroring the global market slowdown, resulting in a slight price decrease throughout the quarter. In September 2025, Polystyrene prices in Brazil have decreased by 2.3%. The CIF Santos GPPS market has been following the downward trajectory of U.S. export prices as Brazilian converters have been receiving cheaper offers from U.S. suppliers. Weaker feedstock costs and subdued export activity from the U.S. have been leading to competitive pricing, while Brazilian demand from packaging and consumer product sectors has remained lacklustre.
Belgium
PS Domestically Traded prices FD Antwerp, Belgium, Grade – General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS).
In Belgium, PS domestically traded prices have been seeing a sharp decline of 7.61% in Q3 2025. The PS price trend has been being driven by weak demand from industries such as packaging and automotive, alongside economic uncertainty in the Eurozone. The PS price trend in Belgium has been reflecting a broader European slowdown, where consumer confidence has been low, and purchasing activity has been limited. Despite stable supply levels, the lack of strong demand has been causing prices to fall significantly.
The PS price trend in Belgium has been one of the most pronounced declines in the region, indicative of the ongoing market challenges facing the European economy. In September 2025, Polystyrene prices in Belgium have decreased by 3.4%. FD Antwerp GPPS prices have been dropping sharply as European demand has been softening across packaging and consumer goods sectors. Feedstock Styrene Monomer costs have been declining, removing cost-based resistance for sellers.
Germany
PS Domestically Traded prices FD Hamburg, Germany, Grade – General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS).
In Germany, PS domestically traded prices have also been experiencing a noticeable drop of 7.13% in Q3 2025. The PS price trend in Germany has largely been shaped by the economic difficulties faced by key industries such as automotive and packaging. The economic slowdown, coupled with reduced industrial activity, has been keeping downward pressure on prices.
The PS price trend in Germany has been mirroring the broader European trend, with prices having been continuing to decline throughout the quarter. Although supply has remained steady, the lack of significant demand from downstream industries has been driving the market into a sustained period of price reductions.
In September 2025, Polystyrene prices in Germany have decreased by 3.2%. The German GPPS market has been experiencing a decline due to sluggish demand and high inventory levels across packaging and insulation sectors. Feedstock Styrene Monomer prices have remained weak, reducing producers’ cost base and leading to softer offers.
Netherlands
PS Domestically Traded prices FD Amsterdam, Netherlands, Grade – General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS).
In the Netherlands, PS domestically traded prices have been seeing a decline of 7.5% in Q3 2025. The PS price trend has been heavily impacted by a lack of strong demand from the packaging and consumer goods sectors. Economic instability across Europe has been dampening consumer confidence, which in turn has been affecting procurement activity in the Netherlands.
The PS price trend in the region has largely been reflecting the broader European economic challenges, where low industrial activity has been keeping prices on a downward path. Despite stable supply levels, the absence of strong demand has been ensuring that the PS price trend has remained negative, with prices having been continuing to decrease throughout the quarter.
In September 2025, Polystyrene prices in the Netherlands have decreased by 3.3%. The GPPS market in Amsterdam has been experiencing a continued downturn as demand from packaging, food containers, and insulation applications has been weakening significantly. Feedstock Styrene Monomer prices have been dropping across Europe, leading to lower production costs and enabling producers to offer competitive rates.
Saudi Arabia
PS Domestically Traded prices FD Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Grade – General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS).
According to the PriceWatch, in Saudi Arabia, PS domestically traded prices have been showing a mild decline of 2.6% in Q3 2025. The PS price trend has largely been shaped by weaker demand from key sectors like packaging, as global economic conditions have been affecting regional purchasing activities. Despite this, the supply of Polystyrene has been remaining stable, preventing a more significant price decrease.
The PS price trend in Saudi Arabia has been reflecting a regional market where demand has not been picking up as expected, but the impact on prices has not been as severe as in Europe or Asia. As a result, prices have been remaining on a moderate downward path through the quarter.
In September 2025, Polystyrene prices in Saudi Arabia have decreased by 0.7%. In Saudi Arabia, GPPS prices have been registering a mild decline as domestic and regional demand has been softening during September. Feedstock Styrene Monomer costs have been easing in the Middle East, reflecting lower crude oil and naphtha values, which have been reducing cost support for resin producers.
South Korea
PS Export prices FOB Busan, South Korea, Grade – General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS).
In South Korea, PS export prices have been falling by 3.7% in Q3 2025. The PS price trend in South Korea has been driven by weak demand from packaging and electronics industries, both of which have been experiencing a slowdown. The PS price trend has been being influenced by low procurement activity, as downstream industries have not been ramping up production to the expected levels.
Although supply has remained adequate, the absence of strong demand from key sectors has been resulting in a moderate price decline. The PS price trend in South Korea has been reflecting broader regional challenges, with economic uncertainty having been keeping export prices under pressure.
In September 2025, Polystyrene prices in South Korea have decreased by 1.6%. The GPPS market in South Korea has been witnessing continued weakness in September, influenced by sluggish downstream demand and falling feedstock costs. The packaging and consumer goods sectors have been operating cautiously, focusing on inventory optimization rather than new purchases.
India
PS Domestically Traded prices Ex-Mumbai, India, Grade – General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS)
According to the PriceWatch, in India, PS domestically traded prices have been dropping by 6.2% in Q3 2025. The PS price trend in India has primarily been driven by a slowdown in demand from sectors like packaging, coupled with economic challenges that have been limiting consumer spending and industrial activity. The PS price trend has been reflecting the broader market difficulties in India, where reduced purchasing power and weak consumer confidence have been negatively impacting the demand for Polystyrene.
Despite stable supply, the lack of strong procurement activity from downstream industries has been keeping prices on a steady decline throughout the quarter. In September 2025, Polystyrene prices in India have decreased by 1.0%. GPPS prices in India have been falling slightly amid sluggish demand and competitive import arrivals from South Korea and the Middle East. Local converters in packaging and household sectors have been showing resistance to higher price offers, prompting domestic producers to provide discounts to maintain sales momentum.
China
PS Export prices Ex-Qingdao, China, Grade – General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS).
According to the PriceWatch, in China, PS export prices have been seeing a decline of 3.9% in Q3 2025. The PS price trend in China has largely been shaped by weak demand, particularly from the packaging and electronics sectors. The PS price trend has been being influenced by lower procurement activity and oversupply in the market, which has been pressuring prices downward. While supply has been stable, demand from downstream industries has remained subdued, contributing to a sustained decline in prices.
The PS price trend in China has been reflecting a global slowdown, as economic uncertainty and low industrial activity have continued to dominate the market. In September 2025, Polystyrene prices in China have decreased by 1.2%. Ex-Qingdao GPPS prices have been weakening amid sluggish domestic consumption and competitive offers from both local and overseas producers. Feedstock Styrene Monomer prices have been continuing their downward movement, reducing cost support for resin producers.