For global plastic product manufacturers and raw material traders, mastering the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) prices in the Chinese market is key to optimizing procurement costs and securing profit margins. As the world’s largest distribution hub for plastic raw materials, China’s price fluctuations directly influence the overall sourcing costs of the international market.
Based on the latest market data from May 2026, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the current domestic HDPE benchmark prices in China, spot price comparisons of major brands, and a deep dive into the core factors driving price fluctuations, followed by a future price trend forecast.
Domestic HDPE Benchmark Prices in China (May 2026)
Entering May 2026, the spot benchmark prices of domestic HDPE in China have shown a narrow range-bound consolidation pattern characterized by “strong support at the low end and resistance at the high end.”
According to the latest actual market transactions and petrochemical factory settlement prices in early May:
- Domestic HDPE Spot Benchmark Average Price: Currently maintained between RMB 9,850/ton and RMB 10,250/ton.
- Mainstream Export Equivalent Price (FOB China Main Ports): Stable in USD terms at USD 1,020/ton – USD 1,065/ton.
Looking at the overall benchmark price, due to the high-level operation of upstream raw materials such as international crude oil and ethylene monomer, the production line costs of major petrochemical plants in China remain high. Therefore, despite the cautious procurement attitude of downstream factories, the strong support on the cost side has made it difficult for HDPE benchmark prices to experience a sharp decline in May.
Spot Price Comparisons of Major HDPE Brands in China (May)
In China’s East China, South China, and major northern port markets, the spot prices of HDPE from different brands and specific grades exhibit clear stepped price ranges based on their specific applications (such as yarn/filament, injection molding, blow molding, and pipe) and technical specifications. Below is the latest spot price comparison for the most-watched mainstream brands and grades in May 2026:
SINOPEC & CNPC —— Market Benchmark Prices
As the two largest domestic state-owned giants, their ex-factory quotes and spot settlement prices represent the benchmark prices of the Chinese market:
- Sinopec 5000S (Yarn/Filament Grade): Serving as the industry price bellwether, the latest spot quotes range between RMB 10,080/ton and RMB 10,180/ton.
- Sinopec YBM30011 (Film Grade): Market quotes are approximately RMB 10,000/ton – RMB 10,120/ton.
- PetroChina DACT-5420 (Pipe Grade): Due to its high-strength properties, quotes stand between RMB 10,150/ton and RMB 10,250/ton, showing relatively firm price performance.
SABIC —— Imported High-End Application Prices
SABIC’s HDPE products perform excellently in environmental stress cracking resistance (ESCR) and processing stability, and their spot prices in China usually carry a brand premium:
- SABIC HDPE FI0750 (Film Grade): Imported duty-paid spot prices are approximately RMB 10,200/ton – RMB 10,350/ton.
- SABIC HDPE M80064 (Injection Grade): Port spot quotes range between RMB 10,100/ton and RMB 10,200/ton.
Lotte Chemical & LG Chem —— Port Spot Prices
High-quality South Korean cargoes are highly abundant at China’s coastal ports, and their spot quotes have maintained high popularity and competitiveness among imported materials:
- LG Chem HDPE XL9100 (Large Blow Molding/Pipe Grade): As a high-rigidity grade with excellent environmental stress cracking resistance (ESCR), its latest port spot quotes range between RMB 10,050/ton and RMB 10,200/ton. Due to its outstanding processing stability, its price positioning in the large-container manufacturing field remains steady.
- Lotte HDPE SM8000 (High-Rigidity Injection Grade): The latest quotes are approximately RMB 9,850/ton – RMB 9,980/ton.
IRPC —— Regional Trade Low-End Quotes
- IRPC HDPE 2570B (Blow Molding Grade): The spot quotes upon arrival at ports are approximately RMB 9,800/ton – RMB 9,920/ton, offering a distinct price attraction in the blow molding sector.
Core Factors Driving HDPE Price Fluctuations (May 2026)
The current HDPE prices in the Chinese market are fluctuating within the narrow ranges mentioned above, primarily driven by the joint effects of the following three core price drivers:
- Cost Push from Upstream Ethylene Monomer: Influenced by geopolitical factors and high-level consolidation of international crude oil prices, the price of ethylene monomer, as a direct raw material, remains firm. This directly raises the production line costs of oil-based HDPE, forcing petrochemical companies to either raise or maintain their ex-factory quotes to protect their bottom-line margins.
- “Production Limit to Support Price” Effect of the Turnaround Season: The second quarter of each year (April to June) is the concentrated maintenance period for Chinese petrochemical units. In May, due to the shutdown and maintenance of multiple mainstream domestic HDPE units, the overall supply of spot cargoes in the market tightened, which physically provided significant support against price drops and aided destocking.
- Rising Ocean Freight Rates Increasing Landed Costs: Starting in May 2026, multiple international shipping companies have raised Emergency Fuel Surcharges (EFS) and Peak Season Surcharges (PSS). While this has not directly changed the domestic local currency spot prices in China, it has significantly pushed up the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) costs for export.
Future HDPE Price Trend Forecast
Combining the supply and demand fundamentals with the cost trends of upstream raw materials, we make the following forecasts for China’s HDPE prices from late May to June 2026:
- Short-Term Price Forecast (Late May): The benchmark prices are expected to remain dominated by high-level volatility, with fluctuations anticipated within ±RMB 100/ton. Unit maintenance and high ethylene costs will continue to provide a floor for spot prices, making a sharp price drop highly unlikely.
- Mid-Term Price Outlook (June): As some previously maintained units gradually resume production, the market’s spot supply will recover. If the actual purchasing demand of downstream factories fails to show better-than-expected growth by then, HDPE prices may face slight downward correction pressure.
Procurement Advice
Since plastic raw material prices operate under a dynamic “one price per day” quotation mechanism, it is recommended that global buyers plan their procurement pace rationally through professional channels. If you are looking for stable, highly cost-effective supply and wish to obtain the latest USD export quotes, it is recommended to contact ZiJun Plastics. As a professional resin application wholesaler in china, we have direct first-hand sourcing channels for mainstream brands such as SINOPEC, CNPC, SABIC, LG Chem, and Lotte Chemical, allowing us to provide you with real-time technical support and one-stop raw material price solutions.
