The mixed bag of price fluctuations seen at the end of 2024 continued into the first three months of 2025, according to figures from Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE). Polyethylene led the way in price increases as both HDPE and LDPE price rose 3% and 4%, respectively vs. Q4 2024, taking them to levels not seen since early 2023. Conversely 60-gsm on-side coated (C1S) paper and 12-micron PET films saw declines of -3% and -2%, respectively vs. Q4 2024. Aluminum foil (7-micron) continued its upward trend, with a 3% increase, while BOPA film (15-micron) gained a modest 2%, and BOPP (20-micron) was stable.

Senior Research Analyst Santiago Castro of Wood Mackenzie added some context to these figures, “The prices paid in Europe for flexible-packaging materials varied in Q1 2025 were driven by price fluctuations in raw materials, logistics issues and factors in overseas markets. The BOPET-price reductions were largely due to declines in raw materials. While the reduction in paper prices is accounted for by under-utilized mill capacity and lower-than-expected energy prices. Higher raw material prices account for aluminum foil and BOPA increases. BOPP prices remained relatively unchanged because of continued weak demand and oversupply.

Kaushik Mitra, Chemical Market Analyst on LDPE and HDPE, adds, “The first quarter sharp increase in PE prices is due to raw-material cost inflation and tighter inventory balances due to lower imports. The imports figures were affected by low order booking and supply-chain bottlenecks. PE demand is still lacklustre due to macroeconomic factors and continuing market uncertainty, although some sectors like construction, consumer products and packaging are showing signs of stability.

“Potential EU tariffs on PE from April 12 caused market volatility and nervousness as, even though there is huge supply capacity in the world, the European market may get impacted in the short term by these measures, before normalizing later in the year.”