Overview

September has seen a generally soft tone across packaging films, with demand improving only modestly after the summer period.

Overall pricing remains broadly stable, although some grades may see selective firmness where feedstock, freight or availability pressures apply.

Geopolitical risk and logistics uncertainty continue to influence sentiment, but the market remains well supplied and buyers are still cautious. In most cases, weak downstream demand is limiting the ability of producers to push through increases.

Escalating tensions in the Middle East are a cause for concern though prices seen in March and April are not likely to return. Buyers are concerned, but not panicking.

Monomer Price Movement
Feedstock
Price per Tonne
Change (contract) Since Last Month
C2 (Ethylene)
£1,262.72
-£10.70
C3 (Propylene)
£1,207.07
-£8.56
SM (Styrene Monomer)
£1,456.19
-£119.85
Benzene
£799.58
-£293.64
Brent Crude (monthly average)
£485.17
£13.97
Exchange Rates
€
1.17
$
1.35
€/$
1.16

Ian Chisanll
Product Manager ‑ Polyolefins

Oil Prices

Exchange Rates

UK Economic Data

Topic

Item

Date

Change

Trend

GDP

Real GDP (Q on Q)

Q1 2026

£709,598

PMI

UK Manufacturing PMI

August

51.7%

UK Output

Manufacturing Index

Q2 2026

101.1%

Sales

Retail Sales (Y on Y)

Jul 26

110.6%

Labour

Unemployment Rate

May 26 – July 26

4.9%

Prices

CPI (Y on Y)

July

2.7%

Prices

RPI (Y on Y)

July

3.2%

Interest Rates

Bank of England Base Rate

July

3.75%

Packaging Materials

PET

PET film pricing is broadly stable to slightly firmer for September. Demand remains subdued overall, but some stabilisation is apparent as European PET markets move away from the seasonal low point. Supply remains adequate, with import availability still influencing the balance in some areas

BOPP / CPP

BOPP and CPP film prices remain mixed for September, with rollover to slight reductions most common where demand is weak and supply is ample. The September propylene contract showed a small decrease, which has reduced immediate cost pressure versus August; however, producers remain cautious given ongoing volatility in energy, freight and feedstock markets. Buyers linked to contract mechanisms may see limited movement, while spot-related business is likely to remain competitive

Polyolefins Feedstocks
£/Metric Tonne by month

Sustainable Films

rPET is broadly stable to slightly softer, with demand still cautious despite continuing regulatory focus on recycled content and the wider impact of PPWR in Europe. The spread between virgin PET and rPET remains an important factor for converters and brand owners when assessing recycled-content commitments.

Films based on sustainable feedstocks, including Bio and Bio Circular grades, remain broadly flat and continue to trade at a standard premium over fossil-based grades. Interest remains present but purchasing decisions are still being shaped by cost sensitivity and the pace of customer adoption

Insights

For further inquiries or additional information, please feel free to explore our Insights page for guidance and advice on key issues concerning the packaging industry.

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Market information you can trust

A trusted, go-to resource for over a decade, Packaging Price Know-how is produced by the experts at leading distributor, Plastribution with data from Plastics Information Europe.

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