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Mono ethylene glycol (MEG) is a chemical intermediate produced from ethylene through hydration or oxidation, used as the primary feedstock for polyester and PET resin manufacturing. Ethylene feedstock developments, and polyester and PET market demand all feed into the price.
Global MEG prices in Q1 2026 stood at USD 0.62 per KG in Germany, the highest among tracked markets, USD 0.56 per KG in China, USD 0.53 per KG in India, and USD 0.45 per KG in the United States, the most competitively priced tracked market. Germany held the highest tracked price on elevated regional ethylene feedstock and energy costs, while the United States benefited from ample domestic ethylene supply and integrated production. Steady polyester and PET resin demand continued to underpin consumption across all tracked regions amid shifting regional trade flow patterns.
MEG prices held close to Q1 2026 levels through August 2026, tracking regional ethylene feedstock cost differentials, as steady polyester and PET resin demand continued to support the market across all tracked regions.
The balance of supply and demand for mono ethylene glycol through the rest of 2026 remains cautious. Regional inventories are comfortable, and export demand from key producers stays muted. A gradual recovery is possible if pre-holiday restocking from polyester makers materialises. The main upside risk is firmer crude oil and ethylene feedstock costs, lifted by the higher freight that followed the mid-year disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. The main downside risk is continued oversupply and weak PET demand that extends the slide.
| Region | 2026 Price Range (USD/KG) | Outlook |
| Global Average | 0.50 - 0.62 | Oversupply and soft downstream demand keep the tone weak |
| United States | 0.42 - 0.52 | Weak PET and polyester demand keep it the cheapest source |
| China | 0.52 - 0.62 | Steady polyester production supports a firm middle |
| Germany | 0.58 - 0.70 | High energy and compliance costs keep it the most expensive |
| India | 0.48 - 0.58 | Import dependency and textile demand hold a moderate tone |
US mono ethylene glycol prices averaged USD 0.45/KG in Q1 2026, up 2.3% from USD 0.44/KG in Q4 2025, the lowest among the tracked markets. Slight restocking from polyester and packaging buyers provided modest support. Feedstock availability remained stable and domestic output continued at normal rates through the quarter.
Why did the price of Mono Ethylene Glycol change in Q1 2026 in the United States?
Modest pre-season restocking from polyester and packaging makers supported a slight price uptick. Stable feedstock ethylene availability kept production costs from rising sharply during the quarter. Reduced automotive manufacturing activity limited the overall incremental demand growth.
Chinese mono ethylene glycol prices averaged USD 0.56/KG in Q1 2026, up 1.8% from USD 0.55/KG in Q4 2025. Polyester producers boosted output ahead of a seasonal uptick, providing moderate support. Abundant imports and comfortable inventories limited the recovery to a narrow band.
Why did the price of Mono Ethylene Glycol change in Q1 2026 in China?
Polyester producers ramped output ahead of the seasonal demand uptick, lifting buying interest. Comfortable import inflows from the Middle East and North America capped the upside during the quarter. Stable domestic production rates maintained ample supply throughout.
German mono ethylene glycol prices averaged USD 0.62/KG in Q1 2026, down 3.1% from USD 0.64/KG in Q4 2025, the highest among the tracked markets. Subdued downstream PET activity reduced offtake, while high inventory levels from the second half of 2025 continued to pressure spot liquidity.
Why did the price of Mono Ethylene Glycol change in Q1 2026 in Germany?
Subdued downstream PET resin activity reduced call-offs and left ample inventory in the trade. Competition from lower-priced Asian and Middle Eastern imports kept spot prices under sustained pressure. Slightly easing energy costs reduced production cost support, adding to the decline.
Indian mono ethylene glycol prices averaged USD 0.53/KG in Q1 2026, up 1.9% from USD 0.52/KG in Q4 2025. Stable demand from the textile and packaging sectors and modest restocking supported a cautious uptick. The market remained sensitive to import prices from the Middle East and Asia.
Why did the price of Mono Ethylene Glycol change in Q1 2026 in India?
Steady textile and packaging demand provided consistent, if modest, buying interest through the quarter. Pre-season restocking ahead of the textile production cycle lifted procurement activity slightly. Import-linked prices from Middle Eastern suppliers remained the key pricing reference.
US mono ethylene glycol prices averaged USD 0.44/KG in Q4 2025, the lowest in the dataset. Weakened demand from polyester fibre and PET resin makers reduced spot activity. Sufficient domestic supply and lower upstream ethylene feedstock costs reinforced the downward pressure through the quarter.
Why did the price of Mono Ethylene Glycol change in Q4 2025 in the United States?
Weakened polyester and PET demand met adequate domestic supply, easing prices. Softer ethylene feedstock costs reduced any production-cost support, pushing the market to the bottom of the range near USD 0.44/KG.
Chinese mono ethylene glycol prices averaged USD 0.55/KG in Q4 2025. Abundant imports and comfortable inventories reduced seller urgency and pressured prices. Subdued PET and polyester demand and muted export activity constrained the market, holding the average near USD 0.55/KG into year-end.
Why did the price of Mono Ethylene Glycol change in Q4 2025 in China?
Abundant imports and comfortable inventories reduced selling urgency, easing prices through the quarter. Subdued polyester demand kept the market near USD 0.55/KG.
German mono ethylene glycol prices averaged USD 0.64/KG in Q4 2025, soft through the quarter. High inventory levels from Q2 combined with reduced consumption by PET resin producers pushed suppliers to lower prices. Lower-priced Asian imports influenced the overall market direction.
Why did the price of Mono Ethylene Glycol change in Q4 2025 in Germany?
High inventory and weak PET demand pressed prices lower through the quarter. Competition from cheaper Asian imports kept the market near USD 0.64/KG, the highest among the regions.
Indian mono ethylene glycol prices averaged USD 0.52/KG in Q4 2025, broadly soft. Weak demand from the packaging and textile sectors kept the market under pressure. Buyers held back on large purchases, expecting further price corrections from import-linked sources.
Why did the price of Mono Ethylene Glycol change in Q4 2025 in India?
Weak textile and packaging demand met comfortable import availability, easing prices through the quarter. Cautious buyer procurement held the market near USD 0.52/KG.
Global mono ethylene glycol prices declined steadily across the five quarters from Q1 2025 before posting a modest uptick in early 2026. The average fell from USD 0.625/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.582/KG by Q2, then continued to USD 0.550/KG in Q3 and USD 0.538/KG in Q4. A cautious recovery brought the average to USD 0.540/KG by Q1 2026, still representing a net decline of about 13.6% over the window. Oversupply, weak PET demand, and soft crude feedstock drove the slide.
| Quarter | Price (USD/KG) | QoQ Change | Direction |
| Q1 2026 | 0.540 | +0.4% | ↑ Rising |
| Q4 2025 | 0.538 | -2.2% | ↓ Falling |
| Q3 2025 | 0.550 | -5.5% | ↓ Falling |
| Q2 2025 | 0.582 | -6.9% | ↓ Falling |
| Q1 2025 | 0.625 | - | - Stable |
| Q2 2026 | In Progress | - | - In Progress |
Mono ethylene glycol prices fell sharply across all regions through 2025. The global average opened at USD 0.625/KG in Q1 and closed near USD 0.538/KG in Q4, a full-year decline of about 13.9%. Oversupply from ample Middle Eastern and Asian capacity kept the market long, weak polyester and PET demand from cautious buyers weighed on prices, and lower crude oil and ethylene feedstock costs removed upward cost support.
US prices fell from about USD 0.52/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.44/KG by Q4, a decline of 15.4%. Weak demand from polyester fibre and PET resin makers reduced spot activity all year. Adequate domestic supply and softer ethylene feedstock costs removed any upward price support.
Chinese prices fell from roughly USD 0.63/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.55/KG by Q4, a decline of 12.7%. Abundant imports and comfortable inventories reduced seller urgency throughout. Subdued PET and polyester demand capped recovery attempts in all four quarters.
German prices fell from about USD 0.74/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.64/KG by Q4, a decline of around 13.5%. High inventory levels from Q2 and competition from cheaper Asian imports kept the market under pressure all year. Germany retained the highest price level in the dataset throughout.
Indian prices fell from roughly USD 0.61/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.52/KG by Q4, a decline of 14.8%. Weak textile and packaging demand met comfortable import availability from Middle Eastern and Asian suppliers. Buyers consistently delayed large purchases, anticipating further corrections.
Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Mono Ethylene Glycol Price Intelligence
Expert Market Research tracks mono ethylene glycol prices continuously across every major producing and consuming region. We explain not just that prices moved, but precisely why. The team traces causation through crude oil and ethylene oxide feedstock economics, polyester and PET resin demand cycles, and regional inventory and trade flow dynamics. Contact Expert Market Research today for mono ethylene glycol pricing data, bespoke market analysis, and strategic procurement advisory.
*While we strive to always give you current and accurate information, the numbers depicted on the website are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the main report. At Expert Market Research, we aim to bring you the latest insights and trends in the market. Using our analyses and forecasts, stakeholders can understand the market dynamics, navigate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities to make data-driven strategic decisions.*
Polyester fibre and PET resin production take the largest share, covering textiles and packaging. It is also widely used in antifreeze and coolant formulations, industrial solvents, and as a de-icing agent. Polyester demand drives most of the global consumption.
The Q1 2026 average was USD 0.45/KG in the United States, USD 0.56/KG in China, USD 0.62/KG in Germany, and USD 0.53/KG in India, mostly on a contract to FOB basis. Germany remains the highest-priced market.
The global average fell from USD 0.625/KG in Q1 2025 to about USD 0.538/KG in Q4, a full-year decline of around 13.9%. Oversupply and weak PET demand drove the slide in all regions.
Three factors dominated: persistent oversupply from ample Middle Eastern and Asian capacity, weak polyester fibre and PET resin demand from cautious buyers, and softer crude oil and ethylene feedstock costs that removed upward cost support.
The global average is expected in the USD 0.50 to 0.62/KG range for the rest of 2026, assuming cautious recovery from restocking while oversupply persists and downstream demand stays measured.
Germany sits at the top on high energy and compliance costs, China and India hold a firm middle on steady polyester demand, and the United States prices lowest on ample domestic supply and weak PET demand.
This report is updated monthly. For real-time pricing intelligence, contact the Expert Market Research team directly.
Prices respond mainly to crude oil and ethylene oxide feedstock costs, polyester and PET demand cycles, and regional plant operating rates. Logistical bottlenecks and trade policy shifts can amplify short-term moves across regions.
The Middle East, North America, and Asia Pacific host the largest producers, with China a major importer from Middle Eastern exporters. Because output is tied to ethylene oxide, any feedstock or operating-rate shift ripples across markets within one to two quarters.
Buyers can use quarterly trends and forecasts to time contracts, choose between fixed-price and index-linked supply, and build cover when crude oil looks set to firm. Regional price gaps also help teams weigh alternative supply geographies when local material turns costly.
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