Unsaturated resin price index

Unsaturated resin price December 2025 and outlook (see chart below)

• Northeast Asia:US$1.08/KG, -1.8% down

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Unsaturated resin price index

This post is a summary of the Unsaturated resin price developments. The price developments of Unsaturated resin are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. Unsaturated resin price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.

The outlook for Unsaturated resin prices is generated from different inputs including:

• Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of Unsaturated resin prices
• Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of Unsaturated resin
• Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of Unsaturated resin prices
• Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the Unsaturated resin market
• Longer term trends in likely demand conditions

What is Unsaturated Resin and what is it used for

“Unsaturated resin” usually refers to unsaturated polyester resin (UPR): a thermosetting polymer made from unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (or anhydrides) and polyols, often dissolved/ cross-linked with a vinyl monomer (commonly styrene). UPRs are widely used as the matrix in glass-fibre composites and in molded parts and coatings — typical applications include boat hulls, pipes and tanks, bathroom fixtures and countertops, roofing, automotive body parts, electrical enclosures, and many consumer and industrial products where a lightweight, corrosion-resistant material is needed.

How is Unsaturated Resin produced

Industrial UPR is produced by a controlled polycondensation (esterification) of an unsaturated acid or anhydride (e.g., maleic anhydride or fumaric acid) with a diol/ glycol (e.g., ethylene glycol, propylene glycol). The resulting prepolymer (an unsaturated polyester) is then dissolved in a reactive diluent — most commonly styrene — which lowers viscosity and participates in the final radical crosslinking (typically initiated by peroxides). Production requires staged heating, vacuum stripping (to reach target acid value and remove volatiles), and careful end-capping or additives to control molecular weight, gel time and final properties. Industrial process descriptions and reactor designs are well documented in technical literature and patents.

How large is the global market for Unsaturated Resin

Market estimates vary by source and year, but recent market research places the global unsaturated polyester resins market in the roughly USD 7–14 billion range for the mid-2020s, with projected growth (CAGRs commonly reported between ~3.5% and ~5.5% across different forecasts). For example, one analyst group estimated ~USD 8.5 billion in 2024 and a steady rise to ~USD 10.3 billion by 2029, while other firms reported values of about USD 7.3 billion (2024) or USD 13.9 billion (2024) depending on segmentation and methodology — the differences reflect whether related polyester resins or narrower UPR product definitions are included. Overall consensus: UPR is a multi-billion-dollar, steadily growing market driven by construction, transportation and composites demand.

Where is Unsaturated Resin produced

UPR is manufactured worldwide. Major global producers and suppliers include large chemical and specialty resin firms (examples: Polynt/Polynt-Reichhold, INEOS/INEOS Composites, BASF, Covestro, AOC/Reichhold and other regional players). Production sites and tolling plants are located across Europe, North America, China and East & South-East Asia, India and Latin America — many producers operate multi-site global networks to supply regional composites and construction industries. Europe, China and the U.S. are especially important production and demand centres, while manufacturers in India, SE Asia and the Middle East are growing to serve local construction and industrial markets.