GPPS and HIPS Price 2026: Polystyrene Price per Kg and Ton, the GPPS–HIPS Spread, Trends and 2027 Outlook

In 2026, general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) has traded at roughly USD 1,300–2,800 per tonne depending on region, from about USD 1,306/t in China to about USD 2,774/t in Germany in June. High-impact polystyrene (HIPS) usually sits above GPPS; in China the premium has been about RMB 800–1,000 per tonne. Both grades rose sharply in the spring, corrected through the summer and have held well above their 2025 lows since.

If you source polystyrene, 2026 has probably tested your budget more than once. A GPPS quote that looked fair in February was out of date by April. The gap between GPPS and HIPS moved at the same time, which made it harder to judge whether a HIPS increase was justified or simply opportunistic. And every time the market turned, the same questions came back: is this price reasonable, is now the right time to commit volume, and is there a lower-cost grade that will still run on our tools?

As a polystyrene supplier, we wrote this guide for procurement managers and engineers who source GPPS and HIPS in container volumes. It covers regional prices, what separates GPPS and HIPS pricing, how the HIPS premium works, what moved the market quarter by quarter, how Chinese grades compare with imported brands, and what to expect in 2027. It ends with practical steps, including a landed-cost breakdown, our payment terms and a contract structure, to lower the delivered cost of polystyrene without adding quality risk.

What Are GPPS and HIPS Prices in 2026?

Whether you are setting next quarter’s budget, checking a supplier’s offer or explaining a cost increase to management, you need a reference point you can trust. The difficulty is that there is no single polystyrene price. The same general-purpose grade is priced very differently in Ningbo, Mumbai, Houston, Santos and Hamburg, because each market has its own styrene costs, plant utilization, freight and duties. HIPS adds another layer, because its premium over GPPS changes with rubber costs and appliance demand. The figures below give the regional levels we use as a reference when we check our own offers.

GPPS Price by Region (per Kg and per Ton)

HIPS normally trades above these GPPS levels. In China, market guidance for the second quarter put the HIPS premium at about RMB 800–1,000 per tonne. Elsewhere the gap varies with local rubber costs and demand, so ask for both grades on the same basis when you compare offers.

China Domestic Prices vs Export Offers

China sets the floor for Asian polystyrene, but a domestic price cannot be compared directly with an export offer. On 22 August 2026, the SunSirs GPPS benchmark stood at about RMB 9,850 per tonne, almost unchanged from RMB 9,883 at the start of the month. Domestic prices like this include 13% VAT and are quoted in RMB for delivery inside China. Export offers are quoted in US dollars without Chinese VAT, usually on FOB or CFR terms, and add inland transport, port charges and the exporter’s costs. To compare them, remove the VAT, convert the currency and then add those export costs.

What a Polystyrene Quote Includes

Two quotes with the same headline price can mean very different costs. Before comparing supplier offers, check these points:

• Grade and producer. The exact grade code tells you whether the price is for an injection or extrusion grade, a standard or high-clarity GPPS, or a medium- or high-impact HIPS.
• Trade terms. FOB, CFR, CIF and DDP prices include different shares of freight, insurance and duty.
• Packaging. 25 kg bags on pallets and 900–1,000 kg jumbo bags carry different handling costs.
• Quantity and payment terms. Full-container orders and secure payment terms usually earn a better price than mixed loads or long credit.
• Validity. In a volatile market, a quote may only be valid for a few days.

GPPS Price 2026: Grades, Uses and What Moves the Price

For GPPS, most procurement teams think about one price, but the grade on the purchase order decides what you actually pay and whether the parts come out right. A clear food container, a thin-wall disposable cup and an extruded sheet each need a different balance of flow, strength and clarity. Pick a grade with too much flow and parts may crack; pick one with too little and cycle times stretch. The good news is that the price differences between standard GPPS grades are usually small, so choosing the grade that fits the process is rarely a cost compromise. This section explains how GPPS grades differ and where the price gaps come from.

Injection vs Extrusion GPPS

GPPS grades are usually grouped by melt flow. Lower-flow grades have higher melt strength, heat resistance and tensile strength, which suits extrusion, sheet and thermoforming, as well as injection-molded parts that need rigidity. Higher-flow grades fill thin walls and shorten cycles, which suits disposable cutlery, cups and thin-wall packaging. On producer data, Hengli 270N sits at the low end of flow (1.9–2.7 g/10 min), STL 535T and Liwan 535N around 3–4, and STL 525 and Liwan 525 around 7–8. Within the same producer, price differences between these grades are usually small compared with differences between producers or markets.

Clarity, Flow and Food-Contact Grades

For display boxes, lids and clear packaging, clarity is what you pay for. Some producers document it: Liwan and Hengli certificates set light transmittance limits of 86–89%, and Liwan also specifies haze. Food-contact use depends on the producer’s compliance documents for the grade and plant, and on low residual styrene; the Hengli, Liwan and STL GPPS grades we supply list limits of 500–700 ppm. Grades with documented clarity and food-contact declarations can carry a small premium, and they save time at incoming inspection. Our comparison of GPPS 535 and 525 grades shows the published values side by side.

HIPS Price 2026: Impact Levels and What You Pay For

With HIPS, the most common cost mistake is paying for more impact strength than the part needs, or, the opposite, choosing a grade that cracks in a drop test or in a refrigerator liner. HIPS is GPPS with a rubber phase added, and the amount and structure of that rubber decide both performance and price. Appliance makers, thermoformers and electronics molders all use HIPS, but each needs something different from it: toughness, gloss, stiffness or resistance to chemicals. Knowing which property your part really depends on is the fastest way to avoid paying for performance you do not use.

Medium-Impact vs High-Impact HIPS

The rubber phase stops cracks from spreading, which turns brittle polystyrene into a tougher material, but it also lowers stiffness and removes the clarity of GPPS. Grades with more rubber give higher impact and elongation and usually cost more. On published data, STL 88 lists notched Izod of 11.5 kJ/m² and 50% elongation, STL 888GH is specified for a 60° gloss of at least 90 with impact of at least 10 kJ/m², and Liwan HP 825 lists flexural modulus of at least 1,900 MPa with impact of at least 8.0 kJ/m². Choosing between toughness, gloss and stiffness is usually more important than the small price gap between these grades.

HIPS for Appliance Liners, Thermoformed Sheet and Housings

Refrigerator liners need grades that resist environmental stress cracking from the blowing agents in polyurethane insulation, and these specialty grades carry a clear premium. Thermoformed sheet for trays and cups needs extrusion grades with good draw and even wall thickness. Electronics and appliance housings use injection grades, where gloss, color consistency and, in some cases, flame-retardant additives matter. Flame-retardant HIPS is a separate, higher-priced product family. Our comparison of STL 88, 888GH and Liwan HP 825 shows which grade suits which part.

GPPS vs HIPS Price Spread: How Big Is the HIPS Premium and Why?

If you source both grades, the gap between GPPS and HIPS matters as much as either price. A HIPS increase that is much larger than the GPPS increase may be justified by rubber costs, or it may be a producer testing the market. Knowing how the spread is built helps you tell the difference, plan blends and decide when to lock in contract volume for each grade. In 2026 the spread moved noticeably: by the end of June, HIPS injection in China was about CNY 1,175 per tonne above its pre-conflict level, while GPPS injection was about CNY 700 per tonne above, so the gap had widened.

What Drives the HIPS Premium

The main driver is the cost of polybutadiene rubber, which follows butadiene rather than styrene. Butadiene comes from steam crackers and is tied to the synthetic rubber and tire markets, so it can move independently of styrene. HIPS production is also more complex than GPPS, because styrene is grafted onto dissolved rubber under controlled conditions. On the demand side, HIPS depends heavily on appliances and electronics, so producers can hold a wider premium when those sectors are busy.

When the Spread Widens or Narrows

• Widens when butadiene or rubber costs rise, appliance production is strong, or a HIPS plant has an outage. European producers also applied separate HIPS surcharges in February 2026.
• Narrows when appliance and electronics orders slow, rubber is plentiful, or strong packaging demand lifts GPPS on its own.

When the spread is wide, some converters review whether every HIPS part really needs a full high-impact grade, or whether a GPPS/HIPS blend or a medium-impact grade will do. When it is narrow, running a single HIPS grade across several parts can simplify inventory. Our GPPS vs HIPS guide explains how to choose and when to blend.

Polystyrene Price Trend in 2026: A Quarter-by-Quarter Review

If your polystyrene invoices looked very different from one month to the next this year, you were not alone. For many procurement teams, the hardest part of 2026 was not the price level itself but how quickly it changed, and how hard it was to tell a short spike from a lasting move. Looking back at each quarter makes the pattern clearer: the 2026 polystyrene price trend was driven mainly by styrene, energy and freight, and by how producers managed run rates, rather than by strong demand from converters.

Q1 2026: Styrene-Driven Rally

Polystyrene entered 2026 from a low base: Asian PS markets had ended October 2025 at more than five-year lows. Rising styrene costs lifted prices from January, and in February European producers announced increases: INEOS raised GPPS by EUR 130 per tonne plus a EUR 100 per tonne HIPS surcharge, and Trinseo raised both by EUR 130 per tonne. From March, energy and freight disruption linked to the conflict involving Iran turned firmer prices into a sharp rally across styrenics.

Q2 2026: Peak and Correction

The rally peaked in early April, when import PS prices in China reached their highest level since September 2014 for GPPS injection. Converters resisted those levels, drew down inventory and covered only immediate requirements, and over the next four weeks import prices fell by a cumulative 5–7%. Even after the correction, prices stayed well above pre-conflict levels, with HIPS holding more of its gains than GPPS.

Q3 2026: Run Cuts and Recovery

Through the summer, producers in Northeast Asia used maintenance turnarounds and lower run rates to protect margins. That kept the domestic market supported even though demand stayed soft: downstream processors mainly used existing inventory and showed little willingness to build inventory. The SunSirs GPPS benchmark held at about RMB 9,850–9,900 per tonne through August.

Q4 2026: Latest Movement

Prices have moved within a range in the fourth quarter. Converters are keeping inventory tight ahead of year-end, producers are balancing run rates against slower orders, and supply across Asia remains ample. Freight continues to create wide differences between Asian export prices and delivered prices in Europe and the Americas.

The lesson for procurement teams: in 2026, polystyrene rallies started with styrene and freight, not with converter demand. From the supplier side, we saw that teams which tracked styrene and producer turnarounds secured better terms than those who waited for a fall that feedstock costs would not allow.

What Drives GPPS and HIPS Prices?

When a supplier announces an increase, the natural question is whether it is justified or just a test of the market. You can answer that much more confidently if you know what sits behind the price. GPPS is made almost entirely from styrene, so it follows styrene closely; HIPS adds butadiene-based rubber, so it carries a second cost driver. Plant run rates, demand, freight and currency then decide how much of each cost change reaches your invoice. Understanding each driver helps you judge whether a move is likely to last, and gives you facts to bring to the negotiation.

Styrene Monomer, Benzene and Ethylene

Styrene monomer is by far the largest cost in GPPS. It is made from benzene and ethylene, so benzene and crude oil feed directly into the polystyrene price. When styrene rises, producers pass the increase on quickly; when it falls, converters push for reductions. Watching weekly Asian and European styrene prices is the simplest early warning for anyone sourcing polystyrene.

Butadiene and Rubber Costs (HIPS Only)

HIPS depends on polybutadiene rubber, and butadiene follows the steam cracker and tire markets. That is why HIPS prices can rise even when styrene is flat. When a supplier requests a HIPS surcharge, check what butadiene and rubber prices have done over the same period.

Capacity, Run Rates and Turnarounds

Large new styrenics capacity in China has sharply reduced the country’s reliance on imports and keeps the Asian market well supplied. When margins fall below breakeven, producers cut run rates or bring maintenance forward, and simultaneous turnarounds at a few large plants can tighten regional supply for weeks. Planned turnarounds are often announced in advance, so it pays to track the producers that supply your region.

Downstream Demand: Packaging, Appliances and Electronics

GPPS demand is led by packaging, disposables and displays, which consume resin steadily through the year and react quickly to price changes. HIPS demand is led by appliances and electronics, which follow production calendars and consumer spending. A slowdown in appliance output weighs on HIPS more than on GPPS, which is one reason the spread narrows in weak years.

Freight, Tariffs and Exchange Rates

Freight rates, import duties and tariffs decide the landed cost of imports, and local producers in import markets price against that landed cost. The 2026 disruption showed how quickly freight can change delivered prices. Exchange rates matter too: export prices are set in US dollars, so a weaker local currency raises costs for importers even when dollar prices are flat.

Chinese Polystyrene Grades vs Imported Brands

Many converters still run on imported GPPS or HIPS grades that were approved years ago, and switching feels risky: will the new grade fill the same way, look the same and pass the same customer checks? At the same time, Chinese producers have added large, modern capacity, and their standard grades now cover most packaging, sheet and housing applications at a lower price. The question is not whether Chinese grades are good enough in general, but which parts can switch safely and where an imported brand still earns its premium. Here is how we look at it as a supplier of both.

GPPS: STL, Liwan and Hengli vs Tairirex and Other Imports

The main Chinese GPPS producers we supply are STL (Lianyungang Petrochemical), Liwan (Ningbo Union King New Material) and Hengli Petrochemical. Their grades cover the usual flow classes, from low-flow Hengli 270N and STL 535T to high-flow STL 525 and Liwan 525, plus crystal grades such as Hengli 850S. Imported options include Tairirex GP535N from Taiwan. For standard packaging, disposables and clear consumer goods, the Chinese grades in the same flow class usually run with the same settings. Where clarity is critical, choose a grade whose certificate documents transmittance and haze.

HIPS: STL 88 / 888GH and Liwan HP 825 vs INEOS 8265

For HIPS, STL 88 (toughness), STL 888GH (gloss) and Liwan HP 825 (stiffness, certified per lot) cover most sheet, tray and housing applications, with melt flow of 3.7–4.7 g/10 min. Imported grades such as INEOS 8265 remain the safer choice where a customer specification names the brand, where an existing approval would be costly to repeat, or where a specific flame-retardant or food-contact file is required.

GPPS and HIPS Price vs Other Plastics (PP, ABS, PET)

When polystyrene prices rise, engineers and procurement teams often ask whether another material would cost less. Sometimes it would, but comparing price per kg alone can give the wrong answer. What you really pay for is the finished part, and that depends on how much resin goes into it, how fast it molds, how many parts are rejected and whether extra finishing is needed. A material with a lower price per kg can end up costing more per part. The table and example below show how to make the comparison properly.

Worked Example: Resin Cost per Part

Take a part with a volume of 100 cm³. In GPPS or HIPS at about 1.05 g/cm³ it uses about 105 g of resin. In PP at about 0.905 g/cm³ the same part uses about 90.5 g, roughly 14% less resin by weight, so PP could cost up to about 16% more per kg and still give the same resin cost per part. Resin weight is only the start: polystyrene is amorphous, shrinks less and often cools faster in the mold, while PP may need longer cooling to avoid warpage. Include cycle time, scrap, tool wear and finishing before you switch. For a view of ABS prices this year, see our ABS price 2026 guide.

Polystyrene Price Forecast: Late 2026 and 2027 Outlook

Almost every procurement plan for 2027 starts with the same question: will polystyrene cost more or less next year? No one can predict the price exactly, and anyone who claims to should be treated with caution. What we can do is set out the forces that will shape the market, the scenarios that could push prices outside their recent range, and what that means for how you contract volume. Our overall polystyrene price forecast is a range-bound market: large Asian capacity keeps supply ample, while styrene, freight and energy remain the main sources of upside risk.

Factors That Could Push Prices Up

• Higher crude oil, benzene or styrene, especially from new disruption in key shipping routes.
• Unplanned outages or overlapping turnarounds at large styrene or polystyrene plants.
• Rising butadiene and rubber costs, which would lift HIPS more than GPPS.
• Deeper run cuts by producers operating below breakeven.

Factors That Could Keep Prices Down

• New styrene and polystyrene capacity in Asia, which keeps exporters competing for volume.
• Weak appliance and electronics output, which would narrow the HIPS premium.
• Growing use of recycled content and alternative materials in some packaging categories.

What Procurement Teams Should Do

Watch styrene, butadiene and producer turnaround schedules, and cover base volume with index-linked contracts while keeping part of your requirement for spot purchases. Timing matters as much as direction: prices often firm after the Lunar New Year holiday as converters restock, and soften around year-end, when converters and traders reduce inventory. Manufacturers that hold one or two months of safety stock have more freedom to avoid contracting at short-term peaks.

How to Secure a Competitive GPPS and HIPS Price: Procurement Tips for 2026

A lower price per tonne is the most visible saving, but it is rarely the largest one. In our experience, the manufacturers who pay the least for polystyrene over a year are not the ones who push hardest on every quote. They are the ones who specify the right grade, compare offers on a delivered basis, agree clear pricing formulas and plan volumes ahead of the market. The lowest quote is not always the lowest total cost. These steps lower the delivered cost of GPPS and HIPS without adding quality risk.

1. Match the grade to the part. Specify flow, clarity or impact for what the part needs, not for the highest grade available.
2. Qualify a second source. Approve one Chinese and one imported grade, or two Chinese producers, to keep leverage and protect supply.
3. Consolidate volumes. Combine GPPS and HIPS requirements across lines or plants to reach full-container quantities.
4. Choose packaging deliberately. Jumbo bags can reduce handling cost where your plant can unload and convey them.
5. Ask for full documentation. Get the TDS, a COA for every lot and the compliance declarations your market requires.
6. Watch styrene and butadiene. Use weekly feedstock prices to judge whether a requested increase is justified.
7. Compare landed cost. Compare FOB, CFR, CIF and DDP offers on a like-for-like basis, including duties, port charges and inland freight.
8. Use index-linked contracts. Link contract prices to a published benchmark instead of renegotiating every time the market moves.

Landed Cost: What Changes from FOB to DDP

Offers on different trade terms cannot be compared directly. A low FOB price can turn into a higher delivered cost than a DDP offer once freight, insurance, duty and destination charges are added. The table shows which costs are included in the supplier’s price under each common term, and which ones you pay separately.

To compare offers fairly, convert each one to a delivered cost per tonne at your plant. Duties also depend on the origin of the resin and any trade agreements, so the same grade can have a different landed cost depending on where it is made.

Our Payment Terms

Trade terms decide who pays for freight and duty; payment terms decide when and how the cargo is paid for, and both affect the price we can offer. For a first order, we work on T/T or an irrevocable L/C at sight. These are the standard terms for new trading relationships in the resin market, and they let us quote our most competitive price without building credit risk into it. Once we have completed several shipments together and built a track record, we are open to discussing other payment terms that fit your cash flow.

Structuring an Index-Linked Polystyrene Contract

For regular volumes, an index-linked contract gives both sides a fair price without renegotiating every month. A clear contract usually defines:

• Base price. The agreed price at the start, on a defined grade and trade term, often expressed as a premium or discount to the index.
• Reference index. A published GPPS, HIPS or styrene benchmark that both sides can check.
• Adjustment period. Monthly or quarterly, usually based on the average of the index over the previous period.
• Pass-through share. How much of each index move is passed into the price.
• Cap and floor. Optional limits on how far the price can move in one period.
• Volume commitment. The planned monthly or quarterly volume, with an agreed tolerance for changes in your production plan.

Why Source GPPS and HIPS from Fulltrust

Choosing a polystyrene supplier is not only about the price on the first order. It is about whether every lot runs the same on your machines, whether documents arrive before the cargo, whether someone will tell you honestly that a lower-cost grade will work for your part, and whether supply holds when the market tightens. Those are the things that cost you money when they go wrong, and they are what we focus on as a supplier.

Fulltrust supplies GPPS and HIPS to manufacturers and converters worldwide, from both Chinese producers and imported brands. Our range includes GPPS from STL (525, 535T), Liwan (525, 535N), Hengli (270N, 850S), Tairirex (GP535N) and GON, and HIPS from STL (88, 888GH), Liwan (HP 825), Haiwan (825), GON and INEOS (8265).

Every shipment comes with a COA, and we provide the TDS and compliance declarations before you order. If you are paying for an imported grade, we can cross-reference it to a qualified Chinese equivalent with the same flow class. We also handle export logistics, from palletizing and container loading to documents, and quote on the trade term you need, so your quote reflects the real delivered cost.

Related Reading

• GPPS vs HIPS: how to choose polystyrene by clarity, stiffness and impact
• GPPS 535 and 525 grades compared: Hengli 270N, Liwan 535N, STL 535T, Liwan 525, STL 525
• HIPS grades compared: STL 88, STL 888GH and Liwan HP 825
• ABS price 2026: price per kg and ton, trends and 2027 outlook
• All grades: GPPS resin, HIPS resin, ABS resin

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Planning Polystyrene Procurement for 2027

GPPS and HIPS prices in 2026 were shaped by styrene, energy and freight more than by demand. Prices rallied from 2025 lows to a peak in early April, corrected through the summer and have since moved in a range supported by producer run cuts, with HIPS holding more of its gains than GPPS. For 2027, ample Asian capacity should keep prices within a similar band unless feedstock or freight shocks return.

For procurement teams, the best results will come from matching the grade to the part, tracking both styrene and butadiene, comparing landed costs rather than resin prices, and structuring contracts that follow a clear index. If you would like a second view on your current grade or your next contract, our team is ready to help.