What is Polyether Polyol Market Analysis: Price Trend and Capacity
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
42.5%
Neutral
21.7%
Bearish
35.8%
What's driving sentiment this week:
Latest published data (2025-07 to 2026-06) — Sentiment: Bullish
The most recent published customs observation for HS 390729 is 2026-06 at USD 2,641/ton, -2.9% against the previous month and +28.8% against 2025-07.
Reported volume across the fixed 11-economy panel was 820,503 tonnes over the window, 68,375 tonnes a month on average, and the three-month trend is +29.7%.
Next 1–3 Months — Outlook
This page is refreshed from public customs statistics rather than paid price assessments, so the next revision will roll in each newly published month for HS 390729. Direction shown here is a reading of published customs unit values, not a forecast.
Coverage note: HS 390729 is the current tariff line for polyethers in primary forms other than polyacetals, following the HS 2022 split of the former HS 390720.
How About the Price?
Data source: UN Comtrade monthly trade statistics (https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?period=202606&cmdCode=390729&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true) | Last updated: 2026-09-23
Price Trajectory, latest 12 months (2025-07 to 2026-06)
The monthly customs export unit value for HS 390729 moved from USD 2,051/ton in 2025-07 to USD 2,641/ton in 2026-06 (+28.8% across the window). The window high was USD 2,721/ton in 2026-05 and the low USD 1,634/ton in 2025-11. Three-month averages put the latest quarter +29.7% against the previous one, which is classified here as bullish.
The same panel reported USD 1,725.4 million of export value on 820,503 tonnes over the twelve months, an average of 68,375 tonnes a month. Values are customs returns for the stated HS heading, so they capture the traded mix of that heading rather than a single quoted grade.
Supply-side factors
- Fixed reporting panel of 11 economies: BRA, CAN, CZE, GRC, MEX, NLD, POL, PRT, IND, SWE, EGY. The panel is held constant in every month of the window so month-to-month movement is not a composition effect.
- Monthly unit value range over the window: USD 1,634 to USD 2,721/ton.
- Latest month, 2026-06: USD 2,641/ton, -2.9% against the previous month, on 71,506 tonnes.
Demand-side factors
- Polyether polyol demand is tied to polyurethane systems: flexible slabstock and moulded foam, rigid insulation foam, and CASE applications.
- Upstream feedstock pages on this site: Propylene Oxide and Ethylene Oxide.
Basis: these are customs unit values for the stated HS heading, not quoted spot, contract or assessed prices, and no paid price assessment is used or redistributed on this page. Every figure can be re-checked at the API links listed at the end of this page. Coverage note: HS 390729 is the current tariff line for polyethers in primary forms other than polyacetals, following the HS 2022 split of the former HS 390720.
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute / Alternative | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Polyester Polyol | Direct functional substitute for polyether polyol in polyurethane systems. Used in CASE applications (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers) and rigid foams where superior hydrolytic stability under dry conditions, higher tensile strength, and better solvent resistance are needed. Requires no reformulation of the isocyanate side; the polyol is simply swapped, though processing conditions (viscosity, reactivity) must be adjusted. Less preferred in flexible slabstock foam due to higher cost and hydrolysis susceptibility in humid environments. |
| Polycarbonate Polyol | Replaces polyether polyol in high-performance elastomers, TPU, and coatings where exceptional hydrolysis resistance, UV stability, and mechanical durability are required (e.g., automotive, medical devices). Drop-in replacement at the formulation level but at significantly higher cost; typically used only where polyether or polyester polyols cannot meet performance specs. |
| Bio-based Polyols (soy, castor, palm oil-derived) | Partial or full replacement of petroleum-derived polyether polyol in flexible and rigid foams and CASE applications, driven by sustainability mandates. Castor oil (naturally polyfunctional) can be used directly or chemically modified. Soy-based polyols typically replace 10–30% of conventional polyether polyol in slabstock foam formulations. May require reformulation to compensate for differences in OH number, functionality, and viscosity. |
| Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol (PTMEG / PTMG) | Replaces polyether polyol (specifically PPG-based diols) in high-performance spandex fibers, TPU, and elastomers where superior low-temperature flexibility, resilience, and hydrolysis resistance are needed. Used as a drop-in diol in two-component PU systems. Higher cost limits use to specialty applications. |
| Mannich Polyols (amine-initiated rigid foam polyols) | Used as a substitute or partial replacement for standard sucrose/glycerol-initiated polyether polyols in rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam insulation. Mannich polyols provide autocatalytic behavior (reducing amine catalyst loading) and improved fire performance. Substitution is straightforward within rigid foam formulations. |
| Phenolic Resins (for rigid insulation) | In rigid thermal insulation board applications, phenolic foam systems can substitute for polyurethane/polyisocyanurate rigid foam (which uses polyether polyol) where very low lambda values and superior fire performance are required (e.g., building facades). This is a system-level substitution, not a drop-in replacement; the entire chemistry changes. |
| Epoxy Resins | In structural adhesives, coatings, and composite matrices, epoxy systems can substitute for polyurethane systems based on polyether polyol where higher rigidity, chemical resistance, or adhesion to metals is prioritized. Requires complete reformulation; not a drop-in replacement. Common in aerospace, marine, and industrial flooring applications. |
| Silicone Polyols / Silicone Elastomers | In sealants, elastomers, and flexible coatings requiring extreme temperature range (–60 °C to +200 °C), UV stability, and weatherability, silicone-based systems substitute for polyether polyol-based polyurethane sealants and elastomers. Full system change; significantly higher cost. Used in construction glazing, automotive, and electronics. |
Related PetroApex Market Pages
- Propylene Oxide — the dominant starter monomer in polyether polyol synthesis.
- Ethylene Oxide — the co-monomer that sets the EO/PO ratio and foam grade.
- Propylene Glycol — the low-functionality initiator used for specific polyol grades.
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) | 2006 | Pre-registration or registration for substances produced or imported at >1 tonne/year; polymers registered at the monomer level if >1 tonne/year | https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32006R1907 |
| EU | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) | 2018 (latest revision) | Polymer registration for substances produced or imported at >1 tonne/year | https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32006R1907 |
| EU | REACH restriction of synthetic polymer microparticles | European Commission / ECHA | 2025 | Restriction applies to synthetic polymer microparticles; registration requirements when extracted from salt pans by December 2025 at latest | https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/da9156fc-103f-4ce4-9aac-2ab251e0f793_en?filename=20250326_EGMP_Part%20II_forPub.pdf |
| US | TSCA Section 5 - Premanufacture Notice (PMN) Program | United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | 1976 (as amended) | PMN submission required for new chemical substances before manufacture or import; no tonnage threshold specified for existing substances | https://www.epa.gov/reviewing-new-chemicals-under-toxic-substances-control-act-tsca/pmnsnunmcantmea-submissions |
| US | Clean Air Act (CAA) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) - Polyether Polyols Production | United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | 2012 | MACT standards for hazardous air pollutants; wastewater treatment requirements under CAA | https://www.epa.gov/regulatory-information-sector/chemical-manufacturing-sector-naics-325 |
| US | HFC Phasedown Program | United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | 2025 | Restrictions on higher-GWP HFCs in foams (including polyurethane foam insulation) starting January 1, 2025 | https://www.epa.gov/hfcs/frequent-questions-phasedown-hydrofluorocarbons |
| China | No specific MEE regulation identified | Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) | N/A | No specific emission standards or thresholds identified for polyether polyols production | https://www.mee.gov.cn/ (official site, no matching standards found in searches) |
| WTO | No specific anti-dumping or tariff measures identified | World Trade Organization (WTO) | N/A | No active anti-dumping duties or tariffs on polyether polyols identified | https://edb.wto.org/ (Environmental Database) |
| Global | UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods / IMDG Code | United Nations / International Maritime Organization (IMO) | Annual updates (latest editions) | Classification of polyether polyols under relevant hazard classes; no specific UN number or threshold for this substance | https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/DangerousGoods/Pages/Default.aspx |
| Global | GHS Classification (Globally Harmonized System) | United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) | 2019 (as updated) | Polyether polyols typically classified as non-hazardous (Category 5 flammability or lower); no specific thresholds | https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods/ghs-revision |
Key Influence Events
Polyether polyol is a class of oligomeric or polymeric compounds characterized by a polyether backbone (repeating ether linkages, –C–O–C–) and multiple terminal hydroxyl (–OH) groups. They are produced primarily by the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic ethers—most commonly propylene oxide (PO) and/or ethylene oxide (EO)—onto a low-molecular-weight initiator (starter) molecule such as glycerol, sorbitol, sucrose, or propylene glycol, using an alkaline (KOH) or double-metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst. The resulting polyols range from low-viscosity liquids to waxy solids depending on molecular weight, functionality, and EO/PO ratio. They are the principal reactive component in polyurethane systems, reacting with isocyanates to form flexible foams, rigid foams, elastomers, coatings, adhesives, and sealants. Key commercial parameters include hydroxyl number (OH number), molecular weight, functionality, viscosity, and water content.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Polyether Polyol Market Analysis: Price Trend and Capacity
Polyether polyol is a class of oligomeric or polymeric compounds characterized by a polyether backbone (repeating ether linkages, –C–O–C–) and multiple terminal hydroxyl (–OH) groups. They are produced primarily by the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic ethers—most commonly propylene oxide (PO) and/or ethylene oxide (EO)—onto a low-molecular-weight initiator (starter) molecule such as glycerol, sorbitol, sucrose, or propylene glycol, using an alkaline (KOH) or double-metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst. The resulting polyols range from low-viscosity liquids to waxy solids depending on molecular weight, functionality, and EO/PO ratio. They are the principal reactive component in polyurethane systems, reacting with isocyanates to form flexible foams, rigid foams, elastomers, coatings, adhesives, and sealants. Key commercial parameters include hydroxyl number (OH number), molecular weight, functionality, viscosity, and water content.
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Representative Grade / Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydroxyl Number (OH No.) | 20–60 | mg KOH/g | Flexible slabstock foam polyol |
| Hydroxyl Number (OH No.) | 250–550 | mg KOH/g | Rigid foam polyol |
| Hydroxyl Number (OH No.) | 28–56 | mg KOH/g | Molded flexible foam / CASE polyol |
| Nominal Molecular Weight | 400–700 | g/mol | Rigid foam (high OH No.) |
| Nominal Molecular Weight | 3,000–6,000 | g/mol | Flexible foam (low OH No.) |
| Nominal Molecular Weight | 1,000–3,000 | g/mol | CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers) |
| Functionality (f) | 2–3 | – | Flexible foam / CASE |
| Functionality (f) | 3–8 | – | Rigid foam |
| Viscosity (25 °C) | 200–1,000 | mPa·s | Flexible foam polyol |
| Viscosity (25 °C) | 1,000–10,000 | mPa·s | Rigid foam polyol |
| Water Content | <0.05 | wt% | General specification |
| Acid Value | <0.05 | mg KOH/g | General specification |
| Unsaturation (monol content) | <0.010 (KOH) / <0.003 (DMC) | meq/g | Conventional KOH vs. DMC-catalyzed |
| EO content (tipped polyols) | 10–20 | wt% | EO-tipped flexible foam polyol (enhanced reactivity) |
| Color (APHA) | <50 | APHA | General specification |
Data Sources
Price and volume figures on this page are computed from the public sources listed below. Regulatory sources are cited individually in the Regulatory Status table above.
- UN Comtrade monthly public trade statistics — HS 390729, exports, by month (2025-07 to 2026-06): 2025-07, 2025-08, 2025-09, 2025-10, 2025-11, 2025-12, 2026-01, 2026-02, 2026-03, 2026-04, 2026-05, 2026-06
- Fixed reporting panel for this series: BRA, CAN, CZE, GRC, MEX, NLD, POL, PRT, IND, SWE, EGY. Exact API calls are the per-month links above.
Who are the Top Players?
| Company | Headquarters | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Dow Chemical | Midland, Michigan, USA | Freeport TX, Map Ta Phut, Thailand, Sadara, Saudi Arabia, Baytown TX, Deerfield MA, New Martinsville WV, South Charleston WV, Channelview TX, New Marts ville WV, Tarragona, Spain |
| BASF | Ludwigshafen, Germany | Geismar LA, USA, Wyandotte MI, USA, Freeport TX, USA, Ludwigshafen Germany, Antwerp Belgium, Kuantan Malaysia, Nanjing China, Zhanjiang China |
| Covestro | Leverkusen, Germany | Dormagen Germany, Baytown TX, USA, Deerfield MA, USA, New Martinsville WV, USA, South Charleston WV, USA, Channelview TX, USA, New Martinsville WV, USA |
| Shell Chemicals | London, UK | Geismar LA, USA, Deer Park TX, USA, Moerdijk Netherlands, Pernis Netherlands, Stanlow UK, Scotford Canada, Jurong Island Singapore, Klang Malaysia |
| Huntsman | The Woodlands, Texas, USA | Houston TX, USA, Kuan Yin Taiwan |
| Wanhua Chemical Group | Yantai, Shandong, China | Yantai Shandong, Ningbo China, Foshan China |
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