Asian Glycols & MEG Prices Drop

Asian Glycols: Lower amid approaching lull season / Polyester trade slows / Falling crude prices weigh on sentiment

Jun 06, 2026

The Asian glycols markets weakened in the week ending Nov. 21. With the typical lull season for key derivative polyester approaching in December, activity downstream started to taper off, impacting monoethylene glycol demand. A trader in China noted slow trade for both domestic and imported MEG, with most buyers purchasing only on a need-to basis, given the expected slowdown in polyester production. Operating rates at polyester plants in China were estimated at 89.19%, according to trade sources, while MEG plants were running at an estimated 60.14% for the week. Falling upstream crude oil prices also contributed to the bearish sentiment, with January ICE Brent futures falling $1.48/b in the week to $62.54/b on Nov. 21 Asian close. In inventory data, east China port inventory of MEG increased by 4,900 mt...

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