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Methodology of price collection and data calculationPlastic price reports 2026

How market prices are formed: Data sources, the information collection process and methods for the statistical calculation of reference values
The two-pillar model

Where does the price information come from?

Plastics Information Europe maintains an extensive, industry-wide network of contacts, ensuring market-relevant reporting. Its price information is based on research conducted within the framework of a two-pillar model, based on which the PIE team determines the respective market price and prepares the market report.

  • Pillar 1: Monthly online surveys

    This consists of a broad and comprehensive monthly online survey (PriceDesk registration required) conducted among processors as well as producers, compounders, recyclers, distributors, system supplies, and traders.

  • Pillar 2: In-depth telephone interviews

    Comprises a fixed panel of regular contacts along with a rotating group of market participants, with whom we conduct in-depth telephone interviews about market conditions, granulate prices (primary and secondary materials), and price expectations.

What prices are involved?

Unless otherwise stated, these are Western European average prices on a contract basis for the period indicated. Gross prices for free delivery are taken into account, without rebates, discounts, bonuses or other net settlements and without VAT.
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Spot prices" are published weekly for commodities traded outside the contractually agreed quantities. These are usually purchase quantities of one to two trucks (20 t loads), which are quoted as invoice prices in EUR/t (net-net price, excl. VAT).

The prices refer to the following purchase quantities:

  • Standard thermoplastics: individual acceptances in 20 t loads
  • Technical thermoplastics: individual purchases from distributors of ready-to-use materials (injection molding materials) between 3 and 10 tons
  • Polyurethanes and composites: small individual purchases on a pallet basis
  • Regranulates: common standard types in Western Europe for purchase quantities from 1 t - ready-to-use granulates based on household waste collections or commercial waste collections.

How are the AI reference prices determined?

Based on the price data stored in PriceDesk and information obtained in personal contact with market players, a range is determined for each polymer type for the respective period. Special consideration is given to the specifics of the individual companies

  • quantities,

  • grades used and specifications,

  • price level,

  • destination/origin etc.),

They are used as additional parameters for weighting the individual data when determining the range. The arithmetic mean of the range forms the reference price. The reference price is shown in the price charts, among other things, and is used to calculate the "Plastixx" polymer price indices.

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What prices are involved?

Unless stated otherwise, all given prices are average Western European contract-based prices from the indicated period. We refer to gross prices for delivery at place, without any rebates, discounts, bonuses or other net settlements, and without value added tax.
“Spot prices” are published weekly for commodities traded outside of contractually agreed volumes. These are usually purchase volumes of one to two truckloads (20 t loads) and are given as invoice prices in EUR/t (net-net price excluding VAT). 
 

How are PIE reference prices determined?

Based on the price data stored in the PriceDesk, and information gathered through personal contact with market players, PIE determines a price range for each polymer grade for the respective period. Special consideration is given to the specifics of individual companies (e.g. volumes, grades and specifications used, price level, destination/origin etc.), which are included as additional parameters for weighting individual data when determining the range. The arithmetic mean of the range forms the reference price. The reference price is shown, among other things, in price charts and is used to calculate the “Plastixx” polymer price indices.
 

How is volatility calculated from PIE reference prices?

Volatility is a measure of the fluctuation of parameters, applied, in this case, to the monthly reference prices of a product. PIE calculates volatility – as customary in financial mathematics, e.g. for stock market prices – as the standard deviation of the difference between the monthly reference price and the reference price of the previous month for all the months of a year. In other words: as the standard deviation of the absolute prior month deltas of a year.

Non-European pricing information

Plastics prices for China, North America and Russia are communicated to PIE by correspondents and cooperation partners from their respective regions. The local price data are collected in accordance with standards recognised in respective markets. You will find more details in respective price reports.

 

Would you like to become part of the contact network?

If you are a regular buyer of plastics feedstocks or a plastics supplier in Western Europe, we would be pleased to hear from you. Registration for our PriceDesk is free of charge for KI/PIE subscribers. Participants will receive regular, consolidated overviews of the raw data collected.

Web: www.pieweb.com/pricedesk
Email: press@pieweb.com
Phone: +49 (0) 6172 / 9606-30

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