Chemicals, Olefins
June 01, 2026
US May ethylene CP settles 2.25 cents/lb higher on month: sources
Editor:
HIGHLIGHTS
Spot ethylene drops 3.375 cents during May
Ethane rises 1.375 cents on export strength
US chemical companies settled the May ethylene contract price at 35.50 cents/lb, up 0.75 cents/lb month over month, market sources confirmed June 1.
The CP is negotiated based on monthly spot ethylene pricing and feedstock ethane movements, which directly impact production costs.
In May, spot ethylene prices trended lower as inventories remained high and downstream demand was subdued. Spot ethylene fell a total of 3.375 cents/lb month over month, according to assessments by Platts, part of S&P Global Energy.
Ethylene market participants have said that another factor contributing to the price decrease has been a drop in export demand as crackers come online in Europe and summer low demand impacts the market.
The total decrease was offset by the increase in upstream ethane prices. US Ethane rose a total of 1.375 cents/lb in May, as export demand remained strong.
The Ethane Cracker Margin fell 7.58 cents/lb in May, tracking ethylene's decline.
