On June 12, 2026, important news emerged from the market that all polyethylene (PE) units at Yangzi Petrochemicals, a core supplier in the East China region, have entered a shutdown state. The restart time is currently undetermined, and the news has quickly stirred up the domestic plastics market.

Multiple verifications confirm that this shutdown is a combination of scheduled maintenance and equipment optimization, involving three low-pressure polyethylene units and one full-density polyethylene unit, with a total capacity of 500,000 tons/year. The downtime and operational status of each production line are as follows:

· Low-pressure Line A, capacity 120,000 tons/year: Shutdown since April 30, restart TBD

· Low-pressure Line B, capacity 80,000 tons/year: Shutdown since April 30, restart TBD

· Low-pressure Line C, capacity 70,000 tons/year: Shutdown since January 30, restart TBD

· Full-density unit, capacity 230,000 tons/year: Shutdown since March 27, restart TBD

Industry insiders indicate that there is currently no clear resumption schedule for the units, and it will be difficult to return to normal production in the short term.

Market Reaction: Spot Prices Rise Immediately, Tight Supply Situation Becomes Prominent

Influenced by the large-scale production halt, spot prices for polyethylene in East China rose rapidly on June 12, with an overall increase of 50-100 yuan/ton. Among them, mainstream offers for linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) stood at 8,300 yuan/ton, and the shortage of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) drawing grade materials further intensified.

As an important polyethylene supply base in the East China region, the comprehensive maintenance at Yangzi Petrochemicals has directly led to an expanded regional supply gap. Market predictions suggest that subsequent supplies from North and South China will gradually divert to East China, and the possibility of an overall upward shift in the national polyethylene market price center has significantly increased. Currently, traders" sentiment to hold back sales is heating up, downstream purchasing enthusiasm is rising, and the atmosphere for acquiring goods is becoming more intense.