Tariffs will be lowered or eliminated on a number of chemical, polymer, rubber and plastic products, enhancing trade flows between the countries.
Continue readingRecyclable Polymers Global Trade has Ranged Within Narrow Limits Between 2020 and 2025.
Trade volume for recyclable PE, styrenics and PVC has been relatively consistent over the last several years, despite changes in the amount of virgin polymer traded globally, fluctuations in the price of virgin polymer, government restrictions on imports of recyclable material, changing demand by brand owners, new technologies, and other factors. Trade flows between countries and regions have, however, changed.
Continue readingThe Volume of Recyclable Polyethylene Traded Globally from 2020-2025 Ranged Between 2.8 and 3.1 Million Tons per Year, but With Important Underlying Regional Shifts.
Prominent were: increased trade within Western Europe and Eastern Europe; higher exports from Western Europe and Eastern Europe to other regions; reduced trade within the Asia-Pacific region; and, reduced exports from North America.
Continue readingGlobal Trade in Virgin PET Polymer Soared in 2025; Trade in Recyclable PET Shrank.
China’s aggressive PET export expansion, the resulting oversupply and low prices, together with high operating costs and scaled back use of recycle content by brands, were factors reducing global trade in 2025 in recyclable PET to its lowest level in several years, and, the announcement of several rPET plant closures.
Continue readingUnited States Imports of PET Sank in November 2025 As Reciprocal Tariffs Hit Supplies From Vietnam, Thailand, and Others
US imports slowed from 132,000 tons in September to 117,000 tons in October, then plunged to 77,000 tons in November.
Continue readingChina Increasingly Dominates PET Trade – China’s Exports Accounted for 45% of the Total Volume of PET Traded Globally in 2025, Up From 23% in 2020
Massive capacity expansion in China has led to growing exports to Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
Continue readingChina Surged Past the United States in 2025 to Become the World’s Largest PVC Exporter, Accounting for 24% of Total Global Trade Volume
China exported aggressively within Asia-Pacific and to Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
Continue readingOver 2020-2025, China – the World’s Largest Polypropylene Importer – Reduced Imports by Roughly 50% and Increased Exports by 600%
The addition of massive Chinese capacity dramatically impacted global trade flows.
Continue readingChina’s Changing Role in Global Polyethylene Trade
China continues as the world’s largest PE importer but its percentage share of global trade volume has fallen over the 2020-2025 period. China’s imports are projected to decline further; China’s exports, to increase.
Continue readingProjected Trends in Global Trade Volume in 2025 Versus 2024: Bisphenol A, -12%; Polycarbonate Polymer, up 2%; Polycarbonate Film/Sheet, up 10%
New capacity, government regulations, and demand in diverse industries impacted global trade in the BPA to PC film/sheet product train.
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