Global Polycarbonate Price Tracker
Monthly Pricing & Market Analysis — January to August 2026 Polycarbonate (PC) | Composite Index, Regional Benchmarks, Supply & Demand Drivers
1. Executive Summary
2. Monthly Price Movement Analysis
2.1 January–March 2026: Weak Demand and Price Decline
2.2 April–June 2026: Feedstock Cost Pressure and Market Recovery
2.3 July 2026: Temporary Price Moderation
2.4 August 2026: Rhine Logistics Disruption and Price Increase
3. Regional Price Dynamics
3.1 North America
3.2 Europe
3.3 Northeast Asia and China
3.4 India
3.5 Southeast Asia
4. Supply-Side Drivers
4.1 Global Polycarbonate Oversupply
4.2 Bisphenol A (BPA) Feedstock Cost Dynamics
4.3 Phenol and Acetone Market Impact
4.4 Crude Oil and Middle East Supply Disruptions
4.5 Regional BPA Production Capacity
4.6 Rhine River Logistics Constraints
4.7 Force Majeure and Supply Disruptions
5. Demand-Side Drivers and End-Use Sectors
5.1 Automotive Applications
5.2 Electric Vehicle Demand and Lightweighting
5.3 Consumer Electronics
5.4 Construction and Glazing Applications
5.5 Buyer Inventory and Purchasing Behaviour
6. Outlook for the Second Half of 2026
6.1 Global Polycarbonate Price Outlook
6.2 North American Market Outlook
6.3 European Market Outlook
6.4 Asian and Chinese Market Outlook
6.5 Feedstock Cost Outlook
6.6 Structural Demand Growth Drivers
6.7 Grade Mix and Specialty Polycarbonate
6.8 Qualification Lead Time and Regional Price Divergence
7. Methodology and Source Note
7.1 Data Sources and Evidence Base
7.2 Cross-Checking Methodology
7.3 Composite Index and Benchmark Limitations
8. Charts and Visual Summary
8.1 Figure 1: Global Polycarbonate Composite Price Index, January–August 2026
8.2 Figure 2: Regional Polycarbonate Spot Price Benchmarks — USA, China, Germany, and India
8.3 Figure 3: Bisphenol A (BPA) Feedstock Index vs. Polycarbonate Composite Index
9. Monthly Price Data Table
9.1 Global Composite Price Trends
9.2 USA Polycarbonate Prices
9.3 China Polycarbonate Prices
9.4 Germany Polycarbonate Prices
9.5 India Polycarbonate Prices
10. Frequently Asked Questions
10.1 Why Did Polycarbonate Prices Fall in the First Quarter of 2026?
10.2 What Caused Polycarbonate Prices to Rise from April 2026?
10.3 Why Did North American Polycarbonate Prices Increase from May 1, 2026?
10.4 Why Did European Polycarbonate Prices Climb Further in August 2026?
10.5 What Is the Price Outlook for Polycarbonate Through Q4 2026?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did polycarbonate prices fall in the first quarter of 2026?
Ample regional supply met weak automotive, electronics and construction demand, pushing the composite index down to its March low near USD 2,720 per tonne.
What caused polycarbonate prices to rise from April 2026?
Rising bisphenol A and phosgene feedstock costs, driven by tighter phenol, acetone and crude markets tied to the Middle East conflict, pushed producer costs and contract prices higher.
Why did North American polycarbonate prices increase from May 1, 2026?
Producers cited seasonal construction demand, inventory rebuilding and higher feedstock costs when raising list prices effective May 1.
Why did European polycarbonate prices climb further in August 2026?
Low water levels on the Rhine River forced at least one major producer to declare force majeure on shipments, adding a logistics premium on top of firmer feedstock costs.
What is the price outlook for polycarbonate through Q4 2026?
The composite is expected to settle between USD 2,950 and USD 3,150 per tonne, above the March trough but below a renewed Middle East disruption scenario.