February 17, 2026: Huntsman announced price increases for its polyurethane raw materials in the United States, effective immediately or as contract terms permit. MDI products will rise by USD 260/tonne, while polyol products will increase by USD 110/tonne. The move reflects ongoing cost pressures and evolving supply-demand fundamentals in the North American region.

The timing aligns with the traditional seasonal window for polyurethane price adjustments, as major consuming markets, including China, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries, remain subdued during the Lunar New Year holiday period. Concurrently, the Middle East market is entering the Ramadan season, where pre-festival stockpiling demand typically strengthens, enabling producers to achieve smooth shipments and maintain lean inventory positions.

Adding to the upward pressure, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have intensified following Iran's temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz on February 17. Although lasting only a few hours, the move heightened concerns over the security of this vital oil transport chokepoint, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's daily oil supply passes. International oil prices surged in response, with WTI climbing 4.59% to USD 65.19/barrel and Brent rising 4.35% to USD 70.35/barrel as of February 18, potentially feeding into upstream cost structures for petrochemical derivatives.

PUdaily will closely monitor whether other major suppliers follow Huntsman's lead in announcing post-holiday price increases, which could trigger broader upward momentum across regions. Meanwhile, select markets, such as India, have already seen slight price firming, indicating varied regional responses to shifting supply fundamentals and geopolitical developments.