The POP Price Trend in Q3 2026 has shown a downward movement across major global markets as the strong price increases recorded during Q2 gradually lost momentum. Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) prices declined by approximately 8% to 10% in Spain, the USA, Turkey, India, China, Peru, and Brazil.
This decline was mainly linked to lower ethylene and comonomer costs, which reduced the overall cost of production. At the same time, demand from film, adhesive, packaging, and footwear manufacturers remained relatively weak, encouraging buyers to follow a cautious purchasing approach.
Although the market experienced a small recovery in September, the overall quarterly trend remained negative. The changing movement of raw material costs, comfortable product availability, and limited buying interest continued to influence the global POP market.
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Global POP Price Trend in Q3 2026
The global POP market experienced a correction during Q3 2026 after the stronger pricing conditions seen in the previous quarter. During Q2, higher feedstock and energy costs had supported selling prices in several regions. However, as these cost pressures gradually eased, producers faced less support for maintaining higher offers. Lower ethylene and comonomer values helped reduce manufacturing expenses, allowing suppliers to adjust their selling prices according to changing market conditions.
Across Spain, the USA, Turkey, India, China, Peru, and Brazil, POP prices recorded declines of around 8% to 10%. The similar direction of price movements across these markets showed that the correction was not limited to one particular region. Instead, it reflected a broader change in global market conditions.
Another important factor was the purchasing behaviour of downstream manufacturers. Buyers in the film and adhesive industries remained careful about their inventory levels. Rather than purchasing large quantities, many preferred to buy only what they needed for immediate production. This approach reduced spot market activity and made it difficult for suppliers to achieve higher selling prices.
The footwear and packaging sectors also contributed to the cautious market environment. Manufacturers continued to manage their purchasing budgets carefully, particularly as the overall cost of raw materials became less supportive of higher finished product prices.
POP Prices in the USA
The POP Price Trend in the USA remained on a downward path during Q3 2026, with prices declining by approximately 9% compared with the previous quarter. The reduction in ethylene and comonomer costs following the Q2 price peak played an important role in this movement. Since these materials are essential components in POP production, lower feedstock values helped reduce the overall manufacturing cost.
Another important reason behind the decline was weak demand from downstream industries. Film manufacturers, hot melt adhesive producers, and footwear manufacturers maintained a cautious purchasing approach throughout the quarter. Many buyers avoided building large inventories because they did not see an immediate need to secure additional material at the prevailing market conditions.
Supply availability also remained comfortable in the US market. Producers had sufficient material to serve customer requirements, which reduced the pressure to increase selling prices. In such conditions, suppliers often adjusted their offers to remain competitive and maintain regular sales volumes.
Buyers also gained more flexibility when negotiating prices because there was no major supply shortage forcing them to purchase immediately. As a result, the US market continued to experience downward price pressure throughout most of Q3.
In September 2026, POP prices in the USA increased by approximately 1.9% month-on-month. This modest improvement was supported by higher crude oil and ethylene values, which encouraged producers to revise their selling offers upward. However, the recovery remained limited because downstream buyers continued to focus on immediate requirements rather than increasing their inventory levels.
The September movement indicated that the market was beginning to respond to higher feedstock costs, but demand was not strong enough to support a major price increase.
POP Price Trend in European Markets
The European POP market also followed the broader global downward movement during Q3 2026. Spain recorded a decline of approximately 8% to 10%, reflecting the impact of lower feedstock costs and reduced buying interest. Since Spain was among the tracked export markets, changes in its selling offers also influenced the pricing direction in several importing regions.
Lower ethylene and comonomer values reduced the cost pressure on manufacturers. This gave suppliers more flexibility when offering material to customers. At the same time, demand from film, packaging, and adhesive manufacturers remained moderate.
European buyers continued to monitor market conditions before placing fresh orders. Many preferred to maintain manageable stock levels rather than purchase additional quantities during a period of falling prices. This cautious approach affected spot market activity and encouraged suppliers to remain competitive.
The September improvement in crude oil and ethylene values provided some support to producer offers. However, the overall demand environment remained insufficient to create a strong upward movement. Therefore, the European market continued to experience the effects of the wider quarterly correction.
POP Prices in Turkey
Turkey recorded a similar downward movement in POP prices during Q3 2026. Prices declined by approximately 8% to 10%, following the reduction in international export offers and lower production costs.
The Turkish market depends on international supply conditions, making import prices an important part of domestic purchasing decisions. During the quarter, import offers followed the downward movement seen in Spain and the USA. This helped reduce the cost of securing material for local buyers.
Downstream manufacturers remained cautious about purchasing because demand from packaging films, adhesives, and other plastic processing applications was not particularly strong. Buyers preferred to purchase according to their production schedules, which limited the possibility of a significant increase in order volumes.
The availability of imported material also helped keep the market balanced. With sufficient supply and limited buying interest, sellers had to maintain competitive prices to attract customers.
POP Price Trend in India
The Indian POP market experienced a decline of approximately 8% to 10% during Q3 2026. The downward movement was mainly connected to lower international offers and reduced feedstock costs.
Import prices played an important role in determining market sentiment. As export offers from Spain and the USA moved lower, Indian buyers received a more comfortable purchasing environment. Importers and distributors continued to compare international offers before making purchasing decisions.
Demand from film and packaging manufacturers remained moderate. Although POP continues to be used in flexible packaging, film production, and other plastic applications, buyers remained careful about inventory accumulation during the quarter.
The availability of imported material also reduced the urgency to secure additional stocks. Consequently, sellers faced pressure to offer competitive prices, while buyers benefited from the weaker international market.
The September improvement in crude oil and ethylene values offered some support to global prices. However, the recovery remained limited because downstream purchasing interest had not improved significantly.
POP Price Trend in China
China also recorded a decline of around 8% to 10% in POP prices during Q3 2026. Lower raw material costs and moderate downstream demand were the main factors influencing the market.
Ethylene and comonomer prices remained important cost indicators for producers. As these feedstock values declined from their earlier levels, manufacturing expenses became more manageable. This encouraged suppliers to adjust their offers according to the changing cost environment.
Demand from packaging film and adhesive manufacturers remained relatively weak. Buyers were not showing strong interest in building additional inventories, especially while market prices were moving downward.
Import offers also followed the wider international correction. This created a more consistent pricing direction between China and other tracked markets.
POP Prices in Peru and Brazil
The South American markets of Peru and Brazil also experienced a decline of approximately 8% to 10% during Q3 2026. Both markets followed the broader international price movement as lower export offers reduced the cost of imported material.
Importers remained focused on securing competitive prices, particularly as the international market became more favourable to buyers. The reduction in feedstock costs also helped improve the overall supply-side cost position.
In Brazil, demand from packaging and film manufacturers remained an important factor in determining purchasing activity. Buyers preferred to maintain controlled inventory levels and avoided placing large orders without clear evidence of stronger downstream consumption.
Peru also followed the weaker international market direction. Import prices adjusted in line with export offers, while cautious procurement limited the scope for price recovery.
The similar movement across both markets highlighted the importance of international trade conditions in determining POP pricing in regions that depend on imported material.
POP Price Chart: Understanding the Quarterly Movement
The POP Price Chart for Q3 2026 has reflected a relatively narrow price movement between the tracked regions. Spain and the USA, which served as important export reference markets, influenced import pricing in Turkey, India, China, Peru, and Brazil.
The chart showed that most regions recorded declines within the 8% to 10% range. This relatively close movement suggests that international trade offers and changes in feedstock costs were influencing different markets in a similar direction.
The most important feature of the quarterly chart was the correction after the Q2 rally. During the earlier period, higher production expenses supported stronger selling prices. However, as feedstock costs declined in Q3, the market gradually moved towards lower price levels.
September brought a small change in this pattern. Higher crude oil and ethylene values encouraged producers to increase their offers, resulting in an approximately 2% recovery in the global POP price index. In the USA, the month-on-month increase was around 1.9%.
However, the chart also indicated that this improvement was not strong enough to reverse the overall quarterly decline. Weak downstream demand and sufficient product availability continued to limit the upward movement.
POP Price Index: Major Factors Influencing the Market
The POP Price Index during Q3 2026 reflected the combined impact of feedstock costs, product availability, international trade, and downstream demand. The index moved lower during most of the quarter before recovering slightly in September.
Raw material prices were one of the most important factors behind this movement. Ethylene and comonomer costs directly influenced production expenses, and their decline created room for lower selling offers.
Crude oil prices also played an important role in determining market sentiment. Since crude oil influences several petrochemical feedstock chains, changes in energy prices can affect producer expectations and purchasing decisions. The increase in crude oil values during September provided some support to POP offers.
Supply conditions were another important factor. Comfortable availability meant that buyers had sufficient options in the market. Producers therefore faced greater competition when trying to maintain sales volumes.
Downstream demand also remained a major concern. Film, adhesive, packaging, and footwear manufacturers did not show enough purchasing strength to support a sustained price increase. Their preference for smaller and more frequent orders reduced the possibility of stronger spot market activity.
Finally, international trade connections influenced regional pricing. Import markets followed export offers from Spain and the USA, keeping price movements relatively close across the tracked regions.
POP Price Forecast: What to Expect After Q3 2026
Looking ahead, the POP market is likely to remain closely connected to changes in ethylene, comonomer, and crude oil prices. If feedstock values continue to increase, producers may attempt to pass higher manufacturing expenses on to buyers. This could provide some support to selling prices.
However, a stronger recovery will depend on improvements in downstream demand. Film and adhesive manufacturers will need to increase their purchasing activity before the market can establish a more sustainable upward direction.
Supply availability will also remain important. If producers continue to maintain comfortable stock levels, buyers may retain their negotiating power. This could limit the impact of higher raw material costs on finished product prices.
In import-dependent markets such as Turkey, India, Peru, and Brazil, international export offers will continue to influence domestic purchasing decisions. Any significant changes in freight costs, shipping conditions, or regional supply availability could also affect landed prices.
Overall, the market may experience some short-term price support from higher feedstock values, but a sustained increase will require stronger consumption and improved buying confidence.
Conclusion
The global POP Price Trend in Q3 2026 reflected a clear correction after the stronger market conditions of Q2. Prices declined by approximately 8% to 10% across Spain, the USA, Turkey, India, China, Peru, and Brazil as lower ethylene and comonomer costs reduced production expenses. Weak demand from film, adhesive, packaging, and footwear manufacturers further contributed to the downward movement.
The USA market recorded a quarterly decline of approximately 9%, although September brought a modest month-on-month increase of 1.9%. Higher crude oil and ethylene values supported this recovery, but cautious purchasing and comfortable supply prevented a stronger price increase.
The overall POP Price Index showed a similar pattern, with most regions following international export offers and maintaining a relatively narrow price spread. Going forward, feedstock costs, supply availability, and downstream demand will remain the main factors shaping market direction. A lasting recovery will depend not only on higher production costs but also on improved purchasing activity from end-use industries.
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About Price Watch™
Price Watch™ is an India-based, independent raw material price reporting agency that provides real-time price forecasts and data-driven insights into global raw material markets. Price Watch™ specializes in tracking raw material prices, analyzing market trends, and delivering timely updates on plant shutdowns, supply disruptions, capacity expansions, and demand-supply dynamics. The Price Watch™ platform empowers manufacturers, traders, and procurement professionals to make faster, smarter decisions. Leveraging AI-powered forecasting and over a decade of historical data, Price Watch™ transforms market volatility into actionable opportunity.
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