Market Insights | October 2026
The Asian recycled PET (rPET) market has experienced renewed price pressure in 2026. Rising feedstock, energy, and logistics costs are affecting recyclers and suppliers, while global demand continues to vary by region and application.
For buyers, understanding these changes is essential to securing suitable materials at competitive prices. At RePlastic Global, we are actively addressing cost pressures while working to keep price increases as limited as possible.
Why Are rPET Prices Rising in Asia?
Asia is a major sourcing region for recycled PET flakes and pellets. However, higher operating costs and changes in raw-material availability are putting pressure on suppliers.
According to OPIS, September 21, 2026, Asian rPET prices increased as upstream costs rose. For the week ending September 18, OPIS assessed regular rPET flakes at $817/metric ton FOB and premium flakes at approximately $915/metric ton FOB.
Several factors are contributing to this pressure:
- Feedstock costs: Competition for suitable post-consumer PET bottles can increase raw-material purchasing costs.
- Energy and transportation: Higher fuel, electricity, warehousing, and shipping expenses add pressure throughout the supply chain.
- Changing demand: Buyers are adjusting purchasing volumes according to virgin PET prices, recycled-content requirements, and their own production needs.
These factors do not affect every supplier equally. Actual prices depend on material specifications, quality, origin, order volume, and delivery terms.
Global Demand: Europe Offers a Useful Comparison
Although Asian prices are under pressure, global rPET demand is not moving uniformly.
In Europe, higher virgin PET prices and supply disruptions have encouraged some packaging converters to consider recycled alternatives. ICIS reporting published by Sustainable Packaging News on June 25, 2026 highlighted rising European rPET prices and stronger demand from sheet and thermoforming applications.
Meanwhile, S&P Global reported on October 7, 2026 that rising virgin PET prices had narrowed the price gap between virgin and food-grade recycled PET pellets in Southeast Asia.
This illustrates an important market dynamic: when virgin PET becomes more expensive, rPET may become more attractive to manufacturers. However, demand still depends on quality requirements, processing capabilities, regulations, and purchasing budgets.
For international buyers, global market trends are useful reference points, but they cannot replace a product-specific quotation.
How RePlastic Global Is Responding
At RePlastic Global, we understand that rising raw-material costs create challenges for both suppliers and customers.
We have held internal meetings to evaluate cost pressures and discuss how to manage them while keeping selling-price increases as limited as possible.
Our response focuses on practical cost management:
- Reviewing cost pressures: Evaluating the impact of raw materials and related operating expenses on product pricing.
- Managing procurement and supply planning: Assessing purchasing needs and available supply options to support continuity.
- Controlling overall costs: Considering the relationship between material costs, processing, and logistics when evaluating quotations.
- Balancing price and quality: Matching material specifications with customer applications to avoid unnecessary costs while meeting requirements.
Our objective is to respond to market changes responsibly, maintain supply continuity, and avoid passing on more cost increases than necessary.
Why Actual Quotations Matter
One important point for rPET buyers is that different factories and trading companies may offer different prices, even for materials described as the same grade.
Differences can result from raw-material sources, processing standards, quality consistency, available inventory, order quantities, supplier margins, and delivery conditions.
Published market assessments provide useful benchmarks, but they do not represent every supplier’s offer or every completed transaction.
For an accurate comparison, buyers should confirm:
- Material grade, color, IV, and other required specifications
- Order quantity and current availability
- Delivery terms, freight, and destination
- Quotation validity and expected lead time
Therefore, all market prices discussed in this article should be treated as references. Please base purchasing decisions on actual quotations from the relevant supplier, according to your specific requirements and current market conditions.
Conclusion: Controlling Costs While Supporting Reliable Supply
Asia’s rPET market continues to face cost pressures, while demand varies across global markets. Careful sourcing, realistic procurement planning, and a clear understanding of supplier quotations are increasingly important for buyers.
Despite rising raw-material costs in Asia, RePlastic Global is taking practical steps to manage expenses, support production continuity, and keep price increases as limited as possible. We remain committed to balancing competitive pricing, material quality, and reliable supply.
Contact RePlastic Global to discuss your rPET requirements and request a quotation based on your specifications, order volume, and delivery destination.
Market prices are indicative assessments, not guaranteed offers. Actual prices and availability vary by supplier, product specifications, quantity, and delivery terms.
