Polyol Price Trend and Forecast 2026-2027

Market Overview

Polyol prices held a mixed tone through 2025 and firmed gently into early 2026. In the United States the average moved from USD 1.98/KG in the first quarter to USD 2.02/KG by the fourth, a gain of about 2.0%, while China and Germany softened over the same period on weak demand and ample supply. Polyol is the main building block for polyurethane, made by reacting propylene oxide and ethylene oxide with a starter molecule. The largest pull comes from flexible and rigid foams used in furniture, bedding, and insulation, followed by automotive parts, construction, and the coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers group. Its price moves with a clear set of drivers. Feedstock costs, energy tariffs at producing sites, plant run rates, and the strength of construction and automotive demand all feed into it. These forces left the market range-bound through 2025 before a firmer start to 2026.

Polyol Price Forecast for 2026

The balance of supply and demand for polyol through the rest of 2026 leans modestly to the upside. Producer cost floors are firmer, supported by steady propylene oxide values and by higher freight after the mid-year disruption around the Strait of Hormuz raised shipping and insurance costs on east-west routes. Demand is recovering slowly, led by a pickup in furniture and bedding output and by steady insulation use, though construction and automotive remain uneven across regions. Chinese overcapacity is the main drag on the global average, capping how far prices can climb. The main upside risk is a feedstock squeeze if propylene oxide tightens. The main downside risk is soft demand in Europe and fresh capacity in Asia that keeps the market well supplied.

For the Quarter Ending March 2026

Polyol Prices Q1 2026:

• United States: USD 2.05/KG
• China: USD 1.29/KG
• Germany: USD 2.42/KG
• Thailand: USD 2.20/KG

Polyol Prices in the United States

US polyol prices averaged USD 2.05/KG in Q1 2026, up 1.5% from USD 2.02/KG in Q4 2025. Steady demand from furniture, bedding, and insulation makers met firmer feedstock costs, and producers nudged contract levels higher. Higher import freight trimmed competition from offshore material, which let domestic sellers pass through the cost increase to buyers.

Why did the price of Polyol change in Q1 2026 in the United States?

Firmer propylene oxide costs and steady foam demand raised the floor, while higher import freight reduced low-priced competition. Both forces lifted contract quotes through the quarter.

Polyol Prices in China

Chinese polyol prices averaged USD 1.29/KG in Q1 2026, down 1.5% from USD 1.31/KG in Q4 2025, the only regional decline among the tracked markets. Destocking around the Lunar New Year and ample local capacity kept supply long, and buyers stayed cautious. Soft construction demand added to the weakness, leaving the region the cheapest source by a wide margin.

Why did the price of Polyol change in Q1 2026 in China?

Holiday destocking and long supply met soft construction demand, pulling prices lower. Competitive capacity kept China the lowest-priced source among the regions.

Polyol Prices in Germany

German polyol prices averaged USD 2.42/KG in Q1 2026, up 1.7% from USD 2.38/KG in Q4 2025, the first firm quarter after a soft year. Firmer feedstock costs and higher energy tariffs lifted the floor, and producers trimmed run rates to balance the market. Demand from construction and automotive stayed subdued, which kept the gain modest despite the cost push.

Why did the price of Polyol change in Q1 2026 in Germany?

Firmer feedstock and energy costs plus tighter run rates raised the floor. Weak construction and automotive demand held the rise to a modest move.

Polyol Prices in Thailand

Thai polyol prices averaged USD 2.20/KG in Q1 2026, up 1.9% from USD 2.16/KG in Q4 2025, the sharpest regional gain. Healthy demand from furniture and bedding makers met firmer import costs, since the region leans on shipped-in material. Higher freight and steady regional buying pushed quotes higher through the quarter.

Why did the price of Polyol change in Q1 2026 in Thailand?

Firm foam demand met higher import and freight costs, lifting prices. Reliance on shipped-in material made the market sensitive to the freight increase.

For the Quarter Ending December 2025

Polyol Prices Q4 2025:

• United States: USD 2.02/KG
• China: USD 1.31/KG
• Germany: USD 2.38/KG
• Thailand: USD 2.16/KG

Polyol Prices in the United States

US polyol prices averaged USD 2.02/KG in Q4 2025, firmer on the quarter. Demand from furniture and insulation makers held steady, and producers kept output measured into year-end. Restocking ahead of the new year and limited low-priced imports supported the market, lifting the average to USD 2.02/KG.

Why did the price of Polyol change in Q4 2025 in the United States?

Steady foam demand met measured supply and year-end restocking, supporting prices. Limited imports kept the market firm near USD 2.02/KG.

Polyol Prices in China

Chinese polyol prices averaged USD 1.31/KG in Q4 2025, firmer than mid-year lows but still soft. Modest restocking and a small pickup in foam orders lent some support, while ample capacity and weak construction demand capped the gain. The region stayed the lowest-cost source through the quarter.

Why did the price of Polyol change in Q4 2025 in China?

Light restocking and steadier foam orders firmed prices, but long supply held the move small. The region remained well below the established producers.

Polyol Prices in Germany

German polyol prices averaged USD 2.38/KG in Q4 2025, near the year’s low. Weak construction and automotive demand kept buying thin, and producers leaned on lower run rates to defend margins. Steady feedstock costs put a floor under the market, holding the average near USD 2.38/KG into year-end.

Why did the price of Polyol change in Q4 2025 in Germany?

Soft construction and automotive demand kept the market thin, while lower run rates and steady feedstock costs set a floor. Prices held near the year’s low.

Polyol Prices in Thailand

Thai polyol prices averaged USD 2.16/KG in Q4 2025, holding firm through the quarter. Healthy foam demand from furniture and bedding makers supported the market, and steady import costs kept the floor in place. Reliance on shipped-in material held the average near USD 2.16/KG.

Why did the price of Polyol change in Q4 2025 in Thailand?

Firm foam demand met steady import costs, keeping prices supported. Dependence on shipped-in material held the average near USD 2.16/KG.

Quarterly Polyol Price Trends

Global polyol prices traced a shallow dip and recovery across the six-quarter window. The average eased from USD 1.90/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.862/KG by Q3 before recovering to USD 1.884/KG in Q4 and reaching USD 1.92/KG by Q1 2026, a net gain of about 1.1%. Soft construction and automotive demand drove the mid-year weakness, while firmer feedstock costs and a slow demand recovery lifted the average into early 2026.

What was Polyol Price in 2025?

Polyol prices were mixed through 2025 with no clear trend across regions. The global average opened at USD 1.90/KG in Q1, eased to USD 1.862/KG by Q3, and closed near USD 1.884/KG in Q4, a slight full-year dip of about 0.8%. Three forces shaped the year. Soft construction and automotive demand in Europe and China capped buying, ample Chinese capacity kept supply long, and firmer feedstock costs late in the year put a floor under the market.

Polyol Prices in the United States in 2025

US prices began Q1 2025 around USD 1.98/KG and ended Q4 at USD 2.02/KG, a gain of 2.0%. Steady demand from furniture, bedding, and insulation makers supported the market through the year, and producers kept output measured. Firmer feedstock costs late in the year and limited low-priced imports sustained the climb, holding the United States in the firm middle of the range.

Polyol Prices in China in 2025

Chinese prices fell from roughly USD 1.36/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.31/KG by Q4, a decline of about 3.7%, the weakest in the dataset. Ample local capacity and soft construction demand kept supply long all year, and buyers stayed cautious through repeated destocking. Competitive capacity held the region as the lowest-cost source throughout.

Polyol Prices in Germany in 2025

German prices eased from about USD 2.45/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 2.38/KG by Q4, a decline of around 2.9%. Weak construction and automotive demand kept buying thin, and producers leaned on lower run rates to defend margins. Steady feedstock costs set a floor, which kept the slide gradual rather than sharp.

Polyol Prices in Thailand in 2025

Thai prices rose from roughly USD 2.10/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 2.16/KG by Q4, a gain of 2.9%. Healthy demand from furniture and bedding makers supported the market, and firmer import costs lifted the floor. Reliance on shipped-in material kept the region sensitive to freight, which firmed levels into year-end.

How We Can Help

Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Polyol Price Intelligence

Expert Market Research tracks polyol prices continuously across every major producing and consuming region, explaining not just that prices moved but precisely why. We trace causation through feedstock economics, energy tariffs, freight, plant run rates, and downstream demand in furniture, bedding, insulation, automotive, and construction. Our forecasts draw on feedstock economics, trade flow data, and plant capacity utilisation across all reporting regions. Contact Expert Market Research today for polyol pricing data, bespoke market analysis, and strategic procurement advisory.