For professionals in the global sheet processing, furniture manufacturing, and decorative materials industries, the recent fluctuations in the raw material market are worthy of close attention.
After experiencing a rapid increase in the early stage, the price of PET in China has recently undergone a correction and has returned to the key price level of $0.03 per pound.
What does this mean? It means that products can be processed at a lower cost, resulting in higher - quality products. And flat - laying machines and coating machines are the key equipment that can transform this cost advantage into profits.
What does $0.03 of PET mean?
Let's examine the data. As of March 18th, the quotations from major domestic PET manufacturers have softened: Jiangsu Sanfangxiang reported 8,660 yuan per ton, and Zhejiang Wanke reported 8,810 yuan per ton, having declined from the previous peak. Converted at the current exchange rate, it has already fallen below the international psychological threshold of $0.03 per pound.
What does this signify? PET is one of the most commonly used raw materials in flat - laying and coating processes. Whether it's decorative panels processed by flat - laying machines or lines and profiles produced by coating machines, PET films/PET sheets are the core cost elements. When the PET price is at a low level, it implies:
· The production cost per square meter decreases: For example, in the flat - laying process, the cost of PET films can account for 30% - 40% of the total material cost. The price adjustment directly lowers the cost of finished products.
· The profit margin expands: The selling price of the finished product has stronger competitiveness, or it can obtain a higher gross profit at the same selling price.
· The confidence to accept orders increases: Facing inquiries from overseas customers, more attractive prices can be offered.
Why is now a good time to purchase equipment?
1. The window for low raw material prices has opened
According to the Futures Daily, as of the week of March 13th, the available days of bottle chips inventory dropped sharply to 7.76 days, a decrease of 54.53% compared to the historical average. Low inventory should have supported high prices, but the recent price adjustment by manufacturers indicates that the market is seeking a new equilibrium point, and the current price is extremely favorable for buyers.
For customers planning to purchase flat - laying machines or coating machines, this means:
· After purchasing the equipment, the PET raw materials needed for production are at a low price.
· The material cost during the equipment debugging and trial - production stage is lower.
· Quick production can enjoy the benefit of low - priced raw materials.
2. The global supply pattern has changed, and the cost - effectiveness of Chinese equipment is prominent
The European market is experiencing supply shortages. It announced that its polyester factory in Europe encountered force majeure and was unable to deliver the supply for March and April as scheduled. The local PET production capacity in Europe has decreased, and due to geopolitical factors, the one - way sailing distance of European routes has increased by approximately 40% and the delivery time has been extended by 10 - 14 days, forcing European buyers to search for goods globally.
But for Chinese equipment manufacturers, this is an opportunity - global sheet processing capacity is shifting to Asia, and Chinese flat - laying machines and coating machines, with their high cost - effectiveness, mature technology, and rapid delivery, are becoming the preferred choice for international buyers.
Flat - laying machines and coating machines: How to seize the PET benefits?
Flat - laying machine: Transform low - priced PET into high - quality panels
The flat - laying process involves adhering PET films/plates to the surface of substrates (such as density boards, particle boards, honeycomb boards) through adhesives, and it is widely used in:
· Furniture panels (cupboards, wardrobes, office desks)
· Interior door panels
· Wall panel decoration
· Commercial display cabinets
When the PET price is at $0.03 per pound, the material cost advantage of flat - laying processing is magnified. Compared to traditional decorative materials such as PVC films and melamine paper, PET has:
✅ Higher transparency (suitable for digital printing base paper)
✅ Better weather resistance (less prone to yellowing)
✅ Environmentally friendly and odorless (compliant with European environmental standards)
✅ High surface hardness (resistant to scratching)
Coating machine: The time for PET coating on profiles has arrived. The coating machine is suitable for surface coating of various lines (door frame lines, skirting lines, photo frame lines), aluminum alloy profiles, and plastic profiles. The advantages of PET film coating are:
· Strong adhesion, with rounded edges after coating
· Superior scratch resistance compared to PVC
· Capable of achieving various effects such as high gloss, matte finish, and wood grain
Currently, the price of PET is at a low level, which means coating processing enterprises can use lower raw material costs to seize the high - end markets for door and window, furniture sealing strips, etc., which have higher environmental protection requirements.
Action suggestion: Don't wait for price increases to make a purchase
Looking back at history, the price of PET has a distinct cyclical pattern. During the geopolitical conflict in 2022, the increase in Brent crude oil futures price/PET price was 40%/26%. In this round of market trend, the spot price of PET once increased by 32% compared to the average price in 2025.
Although the price has somewhat declined recently, the following factors may drive a price rebound:
· High crude oil prices: The settlement price of Brent crude oil futures reached $100.5 per barrel (as of March 12), with a 47% increase compared to the average price in 2025.
· Low inventory support: The inventory level of 7.76 days is still at a historical low.
· Peak demand season: March - April is the traditional peak season for downstream industries such as beverages and building materials.
This means that the current price of $0.03 per pound may only be a window period, rather than a long - term norm.
Why choose us?
As a professional manufacturer of flat lamination machines and encapsulation machines, we offer:
Equipment Advantages
· High - precision gluing system with uniform and controllable glue volume
· Mature infrared/thermal air heating system, suitable for various PET film thicknesses
· Stable conveying mechanism, with no bubbles or wrinkles at the encapsulation edges
· Customizable width, meeting different board specifications
Service Guarantees
· Overseas installation and commissioning support
· Rapid supply of spare parts
· Process formula support (for different PET film thicknesses and adhesive types)
Price Advantage
· Start production at the low point of raw materials, achieving quick return on investment
· High cost - effectiveness of the equipment, with a short investment return period
Consult immediately
Currently, the PET price is at a low level of $0.03 per pound, which is the best time to purchase flat laminators and encapsulators and seize the market. Whether you plan to expand production capacity or enter the sheet processing industry for the first time, taking action now will bring you the following benefits:
✅ Low - cost raw material advantage
✅ Quick equipment delivery
✅ Mature process support
Don't wait for prices to rise to regret. Contact us immediately to get equipment quotations and PET processing process solutions.
