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Polyethylene glycol, or PEG, is a water-soluble polyether produced by the ring-opening polymerisation of ethylene oxide. The largest demand pull comes from pharmaceutical excipient applications, followed by personal care and cosmetic formulations, and industrial lubricant and coating uses. Ethylene oxide feedstock costs, pharmaceutical and personal care sector demand, and regional production capacity all feed into the price.
Global polyethylene glycol prices tracked close to the USD 1.36 to USD 1.58 per KG range projected for 2026, as ethylene oxide firming and pharma demand supported the tone. US prices averaged USD 1.56 per KG in Q1 2026, up 5.4 percent from Q4 2025, as firmer ethylene oxide feedstock costs from Middle East ethylene supply disruptions elevated production expenses while consistent pharmaceutical excipient and personal care procurement maintained steady buying. China's large EO capacity kept it the most affordable source, while Germany remained the highest-cost reporting region.
PEG prices held a firm tone through August 2026, tracking close to the Q1 2026 levels across all tracked regions, as firmer ethylene oxide feedstock costs and steady pharmaceutical excipient and personal care demand continued to support the market.
The balance of supply and demand for polyethylene glycol through the rest of 2026 leans moderately firm. Ethylene oxide feedstock costs have firmed from Middle East ethylene supply disruptions. Pharmaceutical and personal care sector demand is growing consistently with expanding generic medicine production and skincare markets.
The main upside risk is a sharp ethylene oxide cost increase alongside accelerating pharmaceutical excipient and personal care formulation demand. The main downside risk is continued Chinese PEG capacity additions that moderate supply tightness and limit the extent of price recovery.
| Region | 2026 Price Range (USD/KG) | Outlook |
| Global Average | 1.36 - 1.58 | Ethylene oxide firming and pharma demand support tone |
| United States | 1.48 - 1.70 | Steady pharma and personal care demand holds it firm |
| China | 0.88 - 1.10 | Large EO capacity keeps it the most affordable source |
| Germany | 1.80 - 2.02 | High feedstock and energy costs keep it the most expensive |
| India | 1.32 - 1.54 | Growing pharma and personal care demand holds a firm middle |
US polyethylene glycol prices averaged USD 1.56/KG in Q1 2026, up 5.4% from USD 1.48/KG in Q4 2025. Firmer ethylene oxide feedstock costs from Middle East ethylene supply disruptions elevated production expenses. Consistent pharmaceutical excipient and personal care procurement maintained steady buying through the quarter.
Why did the price of Polyethylene Glycol change in Q1 2026 in the United States?
Firmer ethylene oxide feedstock costs from Middle East ethylene disruptions raised the production cost floor. Consistent pharmaceutical excipient and personal care formulation demand maintained steady buying from formulators. Higher freight and insurance premiums elevated the landed cost of imported PEG grades.
Chinese polyethylene glycol prices averaged USD 0.98/KG in Q1 2026, up 6.5% from USD 0.92/KG in Q4 2025, the lowest among the tracked markets. Post-Lunar New Year pharmaceutical and personal care restocking lifted procurement. Firmer ethylene oxide costs raised the production floor despite large domestic polymerisation capacity.
Why did the price of Polyethylene Glycol change in Q1 2026 in China?
Post-holiday pharmaceutical and personal care restocking lifted procurement from domestic manufacturers. Firmer ethylene oxide feedstock costs raised the production cost floor. Large domestic polymerisation capacity kept China the most affordable source despite the quarterly recovery.
German polyethylene glycol prices averaged USD 1.88/KG in Q1 2026, up 5.6% from USD 1.78/KG in Q4 2025, the highest among the tracked markets. Higher ethylene oxide and energy costs elevated European production expenses. Steady pharmaceutical excipient and personal care sector demand maintained consistent buying.
Why did the price of Polyethylene Glycol change in Q1 2026 in Germany?
Higher ethylene oxide and energy costs elevated European polyethylene glycol production expenses. Middle East ethylene disruptions added import cost premiums to feedstock. Steady pharmaceutical excipient, personal care, and industrial lubricant demand maintained consistent procurement.
Indian polyethylene glycol prices averaged USD 1.40/KG in Q1 2026, up 6.1% from USD 1.32/KG in Q4 2025. Growing pharmaceutical and personal care demand supported buying. Firmer import-linked ethylene oxide costs raised the production floor through the quarter.
Why did the price of Polyethylene Glycol change in Q1 2026 in India?
Growing pharmaceutical excipient and personal care formulation demand lifted procurement. Firmer import-linked ethylene oxide feedstock costs raised the production floor. Middle East freight premiums elevated the landed cost of imported PEG and feedstock grades.
US polyethylene glycol prices averaged USD 1.48/KG in Q4 2025, recovering firmly from the H1 low. Pharmaceutical and personal care procurement and firmer ethylene oxide costs held the production floor near USD 1.48/KG.
Why did the price of Polyethylene Glycol change in Q4 2025 in the United States?
Consistent pharmaceutical excipient and personal care sector procurement maintained buying. Firmer ethylene oxide feedstock costs held the production floor elevated. The market recovered from the H1 soft period near USD 1.48/KG.
Chinese prices averaged USD 0.92/KG in Q4 2025, recovering from the Q3 low. Pharmaceutical and personal care sector demand and stable ethylene oxide costs supported the recovery near USD 0.92/KG.
Why did the price of Polyethylene Glycol change in Q4 2025 in China?
Pharmaceutical and personal care sector demand maintained consistent buying. Stable ethylene oxide costs provided a production cost floor. The market recovered from the Q3 low near USD 0.92/KG.
German prices averaged USD 1.78/KG in Q4 2025, recovering firmly from the H1 low. Pharmaceutical and personal care demand and firm ethylene oxide and energy costs held the production floor near USD 1.78/KG.
Why did the price of Polyethylene Glycol change in Q4 2025 in Germany?
Pharmaceutical excipient and personal care sector demand maintained consistent procurement. Firm ethylene oxide and energy costs held the production floor elevated. The market recovered to USD 1.78/KG from the H1 soft period.
Indian prices averaged USD 1.32/KG in Q4 2025, recovering from the Q3 low. Growing pharmaceutical and personal care demand and firmer import costs supported the recovery near USD 1.32/KG.
Why did the price of Polyethylene Glycol change in Q4 2025 in India?
Growing pharmaceutical excipient and personal care formulation demand supported buying. Firmer ethylene oxide import costs raised the production floor. The market recovered from the Q3 low near USD 1.32/KG.
Global polyethylene glycol prices declined through H1 2025 before recovering strongly through H2 and accelerating in Q1 2026. The average fell from USD 1.343/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.323/KG in Q2 and USD 1.308/KG in Q3, then recovered to USD 1.350/KG in Q4 and USD 1.455/KG in Q1 2026, a net gain of about 8.3% over the window. Ethylene oxide feedstock cycles and pharmaceutical and personal care sector demand drove the H1 softening and H2 recovery.
| Quarter | Price (USD/KG) | QoQ Change | Direction |
| Q1 2026 | 1.455 | +7.8% | ↑ Rising |
| Q4 2025 | 1.350 | +3.2% | ↑ Rising |
| Q3 2025 | 1.308 | -1.1% | ↓ Falling |
| Q2 2025 | 1.323 | -1.5% | ↓ Falling |
| Q1 2025 | 1.343 | - | - Stable |
| Q2 2026 | In Progress | - | - In Progress |
Polyethylene glycol prices showed a H1 softening and H2 recovery through 2025. The global average opened at USD 1.343/KG in Q1 and closed near USD 1.350/KG in Q4, a full-year gain of about 0.5%. Soft ethylene oxide feedstock costs weighed on H1, while recovering pharmaceutical and personal care sector demand and firming feedstock costs drove the consistent H2 recovery.
US prices firmed from about USD 1.42/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.48/KG by Q4, a gain of 4.2%. Consistent pharmaceutical and personal care demand and firming ethylene oxide costs maintained the upward H2 trend despite the H1 softening.
Chinese prices fell from roughly USD 0.95/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.92/KG by Q4, a decline of 3.2%. Large domestic ethylene oxide and polymerisation capacity maintained consistent downward pressure. China held the lowest price level throughout.
German prices firmed from about USD 1.72/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.78/KG by Q4, a gain of 3.5%. Consistent pharmaceutical and personal care demand and firm ethylene oxide and energy costs supported the H2 recovery. Germany maintained the highest price.
Indian prices firmed from roughly USD 1.28/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.32/KG by Q4, a gain of 3.1%. Growing pharmaceutical and personal care market demand drove the consistent H2 firming. India held a firm and growing middle range.
Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Polyethylene Glycol Price Intelligence
Expert Market Research tracks polyethylene glycol prices continuously across every major producing and consuming region. The team traces causation through ethylene oxide and ethylene feedstock economics, pharmaceutical and personal care sector demand cycles, and regional polymerisation capacity. Contact Expert Market Research today for polyethylene 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.*
Pharmaceutical applications as a laxative, excipient, tablet binder, and ointment base take the largest share. Personal care and cosmetic formulations, industrial lubricants, surfactant intermediates, and food processing applications also consume significant volumes globally.
The Q1 2026 average was USD 1.56/KG in the United States, USD 0.98/KG in China, USD 1.88/KG in Germany, and USD 1.40/KG in India. Germany remains the highest-priced market.
The global average rose from USD 1.343/KG in Q1 2025 to about USD 1.350/KG in Q4, a modest full-year gain of around 0.5%. A H1 ethylene oxide-driven softening gave way to a consistent H2 recovery on pharmaceutical and personal care demand firming.
Soft ethylene oxide feedstock costs from adequate ethylene supply eased the production cost floor. Seasonal moderation in pharmaceutical and personal care procurement reduced buying urgency. Competitive Chinese production maintained downward pressure.
The global average is expected in the USD 1.36 to 1.58/KG range for the rest of 2026, with continued firming as ethylene oxide feedstock costs stay elevated and pharmaceutical and personal care sector demand expands globally.
Germany sits highest on ethylene oxide and energy costs, the United States and India hold a firm middle on pharmaceutical and personal care demand, and China prices lowest on large domestic ethylene oxide and polymerisation capacity.
This report is updated monthly. For real-time pricing intelligence, contact the Expert Market Research team directly.
Prices respond mainly to ethylene oxide and ethylene feedstock costs, pharmaceutical and personal care sector demand cycles, and polymerisation plant capacity utilisation. Middle East ethylene supply events and generic drug production activity are key signals.
Asia Pacific leads with China holding the largest polymerisation capacity, followed by North America and Europe. Any ethylene oxide or ethylene cost shift ripples across PEG markets within one to two quarters.
Buyers can use quarterly trends and forecasts to time pharmaceutical and personal care formulation contracts, build cover when ethylene oxide signals tightening, and monitor ethylene cost trends as the primary upstream feedstock signal.
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