With the recovery of global manufacturing, supply chain restructuring, and the accelerated expansion of the new energy industry, the plastic raw material market is ushering in structural opportunities.

For international buyers, which materials will become market "hotspots" in 2026? Which categories are worth locking in inventory for in advance?

Based on international data, customer purchasing feedback, and the dynamics of major raw material production capacity, Juyuan has compiled a list of the five most promising and noteworthy plastic raw material trends for 2026

🥇 Polyethylene (PE: HDPE / LLDPE / LDPE)

Why it will strengthen in 2026:

  ・E-commerce and logistics packaging demand surges: Global online shopping continues to expand, leading to a corresponding increase in the use of flexible packaging such as express delivery bags, bubble wrap, and protective films.

  ・Agricultural and pipeline replacement cycle begins: Asia and emerging markets are accelerating the replacement of agricultural films and HDPE pipes.

  ・Energy structure adjustment drives demand: Hydrogen energy and oil and gas pipeline projects drive HDPE usage.

  ・Rise of Eco-friendly Packaging: Recyclable single-layer PE packaging systems are gradually replacing traditional multi-layer composite films.

Juyuan's View:

  ・PE will be one of the most certain growth-promising general-purpose resins in 2026.

  ・We recommend customers lock in inventory of mainstream grades such as food-grade HDPE and LLDPE film materials at the beginning of the year to mitigate the risks of seasonal price increases and transportation congestion.

  ・Juyuan can supply virgin PE series long-term and supports exports to multiple regions.

🥈 Polypropylene (PP)

Why it will strengthen in 2026:

  ・Continued advancement of automotive lightweighting: The application ratio of PP in bumpers, dashboards, and structural components is increasing.

  ・Upgrading of medical and hygiene materials: Demand for non-woven fabrics and disposable medical consumables remains high.

  ・Increased usage in new energy equipment: PP has excellent insulation properties and is used in battery casings and electrical connectors.

  ・Stable demand for high-purity materials: High-end applications still mainly use virgin PP, with limited substitution by recycled materials.

Juyuan's Viewpoint:

  ・The PP market still faces supply gaps in high-end copolymers, transparent materials, and impact-modified materials.

  ・PP prices are expected to rise steadily in the second half of 2026; early positioning can effectively lock in profits.

  ・Juyuan offers various types of virgin PP granules suitable for injection molding, fiber drawing, and modification customers.

🥉 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Why it will strengthen in 2026:

  ・Global infrastructure boom returns: Expanded infrastructure investment in India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East drives demand for PVC pipes and profiles.

  ・Restarted construction and urban renewal cycle: Housing construction recovers in Europe and the US, and urban renewal in Asia follows suit.

  ・Energy and cable projects drive demand: Clean energy construction increases the use of cable sheathing.

  ・Significant cost support: Frequent maintenance of chlor-alkali plants limits the elasticity of PVC supply.

Juyuan's Viewpoint:

  ・PVC remains one of the most stable categories among engineering plastics.

  ・Distributors and end customers are advised to lock in prices in advance, especially for cable-grade and pipe-grade virgin materials.

  ・Juyuan provides construction-grade virgin PVC granules, supporting bulk purchases and long-term supply.

🏅 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Why it will strengthen in 2026:

  ・Beverage and FMCG market recovery: PET bottles remain the mainstream global packaging material.

  ・Stricter food safety regulations: Various regions have imposed restrictions on the proportion of rPET used, driving continued demand for virgin PET.

  ・Stable growth in the textile industry: The apparel and industrial fiber markets are gradually recovering.

  ・Increasing requirements for high transparency and purity: The food-grade packaging sector has a high dependence on virgin PET.

Juyuan's view:

  ・PET will maintain price resilience in 2026 and is a key material in the high-transparency packaging sector.

  ・Juyuan provides bottle-grade and sheet-grade virgin PET, with food contact certification and export qualifications.

  ・We advise customers to pay attention to the plant maintenance window in the first half of the year and place orders in advance to prevent shortages.

🧩 Bio-based and Biodegradable Plastics (PLA/PHA)

Why they will strengthen in 2026:

  ・Global environmental policies are being upgraded: The EU, Southeast Asia, and China are implementing plastic bans and carbon taxes.

  ・International brands are increasing their investment in green supply chains: The markets for eco-friendly packaging, tableware, and 3D printing consumables are expanding rapidly.

  ・Cost reduction and capacity expansion: Major PLA manufacturers are gradually putting their production lines into operation, and prices are gradually approaching those of engineering plastics.

  ・Accelerated capital investment: Global funds and large chemical groups are entering the bio-based material sector.

Juyuan's view:

  ・Bio-based materials such as PLA are still an emerging field, but their growth rate far exceeds that of traditional resins.

  ・2026 will be a turning point for their commercialization.

  ・Juyuan is actively developing its global PLA and PHA raw material supply and welcomes OEMs and distributors to jointly expand into new markets.

📈 2026 Plastic Raw Material Trends Summary

🤝 Juyuan Perspective: 2026 is the "Year of Strategic Planning"

The plastic raw material market is entering a new phase of **"differentiation and opportunities coexisting"**.

Virgin resins, due to their stability and traceability, remain core materials in the food, medical, and engineering manufacturing sectors.

In 2026, early planning and securing stable supplies are key to gaining a supply advantage.

Juyuan, an international supplier with 24 years of experience in plastic raw material trading,offers customers:

  ・Global virgin plastic pellets (PE, PP, PVC, PET, TPEE, PC, etc.)

  ・Export packaging and customs clearance support

  ・Bulk purchase discounts and long-term contract options

📞 Contact the Juyuan team now for the latest 2026 pricing and inventory information.

Securing supplies before market upturns is the key to success in the 2026 plastic market.