[Key Data]
As of August 10, 2026, Brent crude oil crossed $84 per barrel, up 0.54% intraday; WTI crude futures around $78.18/bbl. China Plastics Price Index closed at 878.45 points, with slight fluctuation. Recycled plastics market shows weak supply and demand, prices steady to slightly weak.
[Market Dynamics]
Polyethylene (PE): Linear futures declined, market offer focus shifted downward. Traders flexible pricing to clear inventory, with overall prices easing slightly. Downstream demand remains weak with limited trading activity. LDPE mainstream at 9400-9500 CNY/tonne, LLDPE at 7600-7700 CNY/tonne.
Polypropylene (PP): Market sentiment warmed up, prices rose modestly. Homo PP raffia/injection mainstream at 13750-14150 CNY/tonne, up 100-150 CNY at low/high end. Recent cost support has loosened somewhat.
PVC: Market continued its weak consolidation, futures prices dipped, spot market dominated by wait-and-see sentiment. PVC main contract settled around 4730 CNY/tonne.
Recycled Plastics: This week's recycled HDPE market saw limited transactions, prices stable. Influenced by substitutes, supply-demand balance, and costs with no clear directional guidance.
[Industry Highlights]
• US-based Edge Global Innovation received a thermochemical conversion process patent for converting waste polyurethane foam into high-value recycled materials, marking a major breakthrough in PU recycling technology.
• Hunan Haili Yongxing Green New Materials Industrial Park officially started construction on August 3, with Phase 1 investment exceeding 1.3 billion CNY covering the full green new materials industry chain.
• Shanghai Jinhu Sanling and Ningbo Fengmei PIE signed a strategic cooperation to jointly develop the PEEK high-end special engineering plastics sector, supporting China's high-end manufacturing localization.
• The 2026 Greater Bay Area International Rubber & Plastics, Packaging, Printing & 3D Printing Industry Exhibition will be held August 17-19 at Guangdong Foshan Tanzhou ICC, expecting over 60,000 sqm exhibition area.
[Outlook]
Current plastic markets face mixed forces: high crude prices provide cost support, while weak downstream demand and shrinking volumes prevail. Short-term PE and PP markets may maintain range-bound consolidation, with PVC still under downward pressure due to supply-demand imbalances. Monitor crude oil trends and downstream operating rates.
Sources: SCI99, Longzhong, 21CP, Sumibuy | As of August 10, 2026
