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Polystyrene Prices, Demand and Supply Overview
Polystyrene is a thermoplastic polymer produced from styrene monomer through polymerization, used extensively in packaging, appliance housings, electronics casings, and expanded foam insulation products. Styrene monomer feedstock costs, and packaging and construction demand all feed into the price.
Global polystyrene prices in Q2 2026 stood at USD 1.690 per KG in Germany, the highest among tracked markets, USD 1.505 per KG in the United States, USD 1.435 per KG in South Korea, and USD 1.245 per KG in China, the most competitively priced tracked market. Germany held the highest tracked price on elevated regional styrene feedstock and energy costs, while China benefited from ample regional production capacity and producer operating rates. Steady packaging, construction and insulation, and disposable consumer goods demand continued to underpin consumption across all tracked regions.
What is Polystyrene Price in August 2026?
Polystyrene prices held close to Q2 2026 levels through August 2026, tracking regional styrene monomer feedstock cost differentials, as steady packaging and construction demand continued to support the market across all tracked regions.
- Europe: German polystyrene prices held near USD 1.61 to USD 1.77 per KG, close to the USD 1.690 per KG recorded in Q2 2026 and the highest among tracked markets, as elevated regional styrene feedstock and energy costs continued to sustain the regional premium.
- North America/APAC (South Korea): US polystyrene prices held near USD 1.43 to USD 1.58 per KG, close to the USD 1.505 per KG recorded in Q2 2026, while South Korean prices held near USD 1.36 to USD 1.51 per KG, close to the USD 1.435 per KG level.
- APAC (China): Chinese polystyrene prices held near USD 1.18 to USD 1.31 per KG, the most competitively priced tracked market, close to the USD 1.245 per KG recorded in Q2 2026, as ample regional production capacity and producer operating rates continued to anchor pricing.
Polystyrene Price Forecast for 2026
The second half of 2026 (H2 2026) opened firm across every market. Styrene monomer feedstock costs firmed on the tighter benzene and ethylene availability. Packaging converters kept a steady order flow into food-service and protective-packaging applications. Construction-insulation demand held up in Europe and North America too, even as broader construction activity stayed mixed.
A couple of factors bear watching. A styrene monomer feedstock spike, tied to benzene or ethylene tightness, could push the prices past the top of the range. A packaging-sector shift toward alternative materials, or a construction-insulation demand slowdown, could pull the market below the floor instead.
| Region | 2026 Price Range (USD/MT) | Outlook |
| Global Average | 1460 - 1540 | Packaging demand and firm feedstock costs support |
| China | 1240 - 1310 | Large domestic capacity keeps China most affordable |
| United States | 1500 - 1580 | Steady packaging and appliance demand |
| Germany | 1685 - 1770 | Construction-insulation demand and high energy costs support premium |
| South Korea | 1430 - 1500 | Export-oriented producers track regional feedstock costs |
For the Quarter Ending June 2026
Polystyrene Prices Q2 2026:
- China: USD 1245/MT
- United States: USD 1505/MT
- Germany: USD 1690/MT
- South Korea: USD 1435/MT
Polystyrene Prices in China
China's polystyrene producers passed through firmer styrene costs in Q2. Domestic packaging demand held steady at the same time. The gain came to a value of 1.2%, from USD 1230/MT to USD 1245/MT.
Why did the price of Polystyrene change in Q2 2026 in China?
- Styrene monomer feedstock costs firmed through the quarter.
- Domestic packaging demand held steady.
- Quarter closed at USD 1245/MT.
Polystyrene Prices in the United States
US polystyrene firmed by 1.3% to a value of USD 1505/MT. The packaging and appliance demand stayed steady, and the feedstock costs climbed alongside it.
Why did the price of Polystyrene change in Q2 2026 in United States?
- Packaging and appliance demand stayed steady.
- Styrene feedstock costs climbed.
- Quarter closed at USD 1505/MT.
Polystyrene Prices in Germany
Germany gained by 1.5% to a value of USD 1690/MT. The construction-insulation demand stayed firm, and the high energy costs added further pressure.
Why did the price of Polystyrene change in Q2 2026 in Germany?
- Construction-insulation demand for expanded polystyrene foam board stayed firm.
- High energy costs added further production-cost pressure.
- Quarter closed at USD 1690/MT.
Polystyrene Prices in South Korea
South Korea climbed by 1.4% to a value of USD 1435/MT. The export demand held steady, and the feedstock costs firmed alongside the region.
Why did the price of Polystyrene change in Q2 2026 in South Korea?
- Export demand held steady through the quarter.
- Regional styrene feedstock costs firmed.
- Quarter closed at USD 1435/MT.
For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Polystyrene Prices Q1 2026:
- China: USD 1230/MT
- United States: USD 1485/MT
- Germany: USD 1665/MT
- South Korea: USD 1415/MT
Polystyrene Prices in China
China gained by 1.2% to a value of USD 1230/MT. The post-holiday packaging demand firmed as the year opened.
Why did the price of Polystyrene change in Q1 2026 in China?
- Post-holiday packaging demand firmed as the year opened.
- Styrene feedstock costs edged higher.
- Quarter closed at USD 1230/MT.
Polystyrene Prices in the United States
US polystyrene rose by 1.4% to a value of USD 1485/MT. The packaging demand firmed with the new year.
Why did the price of Polystyrene change in Q1 2026 in United States?
- Packaging demand firmed with the new year.
- Feedstock costs continued climbing.
- Quarter closed at USD 1485/MT.
Polystyrene Prices in Germany
Germany gained by 1.5% to a value of USD 1665/MT. The construction-insulation demand firmed, and the energy costs stayed high.
Why did the price of Polystyrene change in Q1 2026 in Germany?
- Construction-insulation demand firmed as the building season approached.
- Energy costs held at a high level.
- Quarter closed at USD 1665/MT.
Polystyrene Prices in South Korea
South Korea gained by 1.4% to a value of USD 1415/MT. The export demand firmed as the year began.
Why did the price of Polystyrene change in Q1 2026 in South Korea?
- Export demand firmed as the year began.
- Feedstock costs firmed alongside the region.
- Quarter closed at USD 1415/MT.
Quarterly Polystyrene Price Trends
The global average climbed steadily across the window, from the USD 1380/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 1465/MT by Q2 2026, a net gain of about 6.2 percent. Germany led the climb throughout. Its combination of construction-insulation demand and high energy costs pulled harder each quarter than the steadier markets in Asia and North America did.
| Quarter | Price (USD/MT) | QoQ Change | Direction |
| Q2 2026 | 1465 | +1.4% | ↑ Rising |
| Q1 2026 | 1445 | +1.4% | ↑ Rising |
| Q4 2025 | 1425 | +1.1% | ↑ Rising |
| Q3 2025 | 1410 | +1.1% | ↑ Rising |
| Q2 2025 | 1395 | +1.1% | ↑ Rising |
| Q1 2025 | 1380 | - | - Stable |
What was Polystyrene Price in 2025?
The year 2025 was a steadily firming year for polystyrene across every market we track. The global average opened near a value of USD 1380/MT in Q1 and climbed in every quarter to close Q4 at USD 1425/MT, a full-year gain of 3.3 percent. Germany led in percentage terms, up 3.8 percent, on construction-insulation demand and high energy costs. South Korea gained 3.3 percent and the United States 3.2 percent. China moved the least of all, up 3.0 percent, though it kept the lowest absolute price throughout.
Polystyrene Prices in China in 2025
China opened the year 2025 at a value of USD 1180/MT and closed the year at USD 1215/MT, a gain of 3.0 percent, the mildest of the four markets. The domestic packaging demand held steady throughout the year. The styrene feedstock costs firmed only gradually too. The net direction for the year was mildly higher, with the steady packaging demand as the main driver.
Polystyrene Prices in the United States in 2025
The United States opened the year 2025 at a value of USD 1420/MT and closed at USD 1465/MT, a gain of 3.2 percent. The packaging and appliance demand stayed consistently steady throughout the year. The styrene feedstock costs firmed in step with it. The net direction for the year was moderately higher, with the steady downstream demand as the main driver.
Polystyrene Prices in Germany in 2025
Germany opened the year 2025 at a value of USD 1580/MT and closed at USD 1640/MT, a gain of 3.8 percent, the strongest of the four markets. The construction-insulation demand for expanded polystyrene foam board stayed firm throughout the year. High energy costs added further support too. The net direction for the year was solidly higher, with the construction-insulation demand and energy costs as the main drivers.
Polystyrene Prices in South Korea in 2025
South Korea opened the year 2025 at a value of USD 1350/MT and closed at USD 1395/MT, a gain of 3.3 percent. The export-oriented producers saw a steady order flow through the year. The feedstock costs firmed gradually too. The net direction for the year was moderately higher, with the steady export demand as the main driver.
How We Can Help
Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Polystyrene Price Intelligence
Expert Market Research keeps a continuous watch on the polystyrene pricing across every major producing and consuming region. A price alone says very little. Our analysts dig into what actually drives it: the styrene monomer feedstock economics, packaging and construction-insulation demand cycles, and regional producer operating rates. The forecasts draw on the feedstock trends, the capacity utilization, and the trade-flow shifts across all four reporting regions. Contact Expert Market Research today for the polystyrene pricing data, a bespoke market analysis, and a strategic procurement advisory.
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*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.*
Frequently Asked Questions About This Report
Packaging is the single largest end use, spanning rigid containers and expanded foam for food service and protective packaging. Appliance housings, disposable consumer goods, electronics casings, and construction-insulation foam board make up the rest of the demand.
Q2 2026 averages: USD 1245/MT in China, USD 1505/MT in the United States, USD 1690/MT in Germany, USD 1435/MT in South Korea. Construction-insulation demand and high energy costs make Germany the priciest of the four.
Steadily higher. The global average rose from a value of USD 1425/MT in Q4 2025 to USD 1445/MT in Q1 2026 and USD 1465/MT in Q2, a gain of 2.8 percent across the half. The firming styrene feedstock costs and steady packaging demand drove it over that stretch.
Styrene monomer feedstock costs firmed on the tighter benzene and ethylene availability. Packaging and construction-insulation demand stayed steady to strong across every region we track too.
Figure a range of an amount of USD 1460 to 1540/MT globally for the rest of the year 2026. Steady packaging demand and firmer styrene feedstock costs support the move.
Germany carries the firmest premium, on the construction-insulation demand and high energy costs. The United States and South Korea sit in a steadier middle tier, on the packaging and export demand. China stays the most affordable, on the strength of its large domestic production capacity.
Monthly. For live figures, reach out to the Expert Market Research team.
The styrene monomer feedstock costs are the main lever, with packaging and construction-insulation demand cycles close behind. Regional producer operating rates matter too.
China holds the largest production capacity. South Korea remains a major export-oriented producer serving the regional demand. If Chinese capacity utilization or styrene feedstock costs move, the effect ripples through the polystyrene markets everywhere else.
Lean on the quarterly trends and forecasts to time the packaging and construction-linked purchasing around the styrene feedstock cycles. Watching the benzene and ethylene cost trends can help buyers anticipate feedstock-driven moves before they show up in spot prices.
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