Global trade in PE film/sheet rose 8% in 2025, to 7.4 million tons; trade in PE bags/sacks grew by 6%, to 5 million tons. This followed gains of about 6% per product in 2024 vs 2023.
Continue readingUS Polyethylene Exports Increased Again in 2025, on Gains to Latin America, Western Europe and Other Regions.
US exports of polyethylene, all grades combined, reached 15.7 million tons in 2025, up from 13.8 million tons in 2023, based on US export statistics.
Continue readingThe US and India Have Announced a Trade Deal That Will Impact Trade in Petrochemicals and Related Products
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 Ranged Within Narrow Limits, 2020 to 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. However, trade flows between countries and regions have changed.
Continue readingRecyclable Polyethylene Trade Remained Stable at 2.8–3.1 Million Tons (2020-2025), Despite Regional Shifts
Prominent trends included 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.
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