From the start of the conflict on February 28, 2026, flows through the Strait of Hormuz have been restricted by both Iran and the US. The US increasingly imposed sanctions on Iranian vessels and its growing shadow fleet.
Continue readingThailand Imported 0.5 Million Tons of Polyethylene Through June 2026 YTD, up 46% vs 2025, and Exported 1.1 Million Tons, Down 20%
Key factors in the trends were feedstock shortages from the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and aggressive exporting by China.
Continue readingFaced With Global Oversupply, South Korea Will Restructure the Yeosu Complex, Shutting 1.4 Million Tons of Ethylene Capacity
Korea’s ethylene exports plummeted with the start of the Iranian conflict. The restructuring will result in further declines.
Continue readingChina Exported Record Volumes of PP Polymer and Fabricated PP Film/Sheet, PP Bags/Sacks in the First Half of 2026
The availability of excess polypropylene polymer capacity plus constrained supplies from the conflict in the Middle East gave China an unprecedented opportunity to sell PP polymer and fabricated PP products globally.
Continue readingChina Exported Record Volumes of PE Polymer and Fabricated PE Film/Sheet, PE Bags/Sacks in the First Half of 2026
Constrained supplies of polymer and feedstocks from the Middle East provided China with opportunities to sell PE polymer and fabricated PE products globally.
Continue readingBrazil’s PE Import Sources Shifted Dramatically June 2026 YTD vs 2025; Much Lower Volumes From North America Largely Offset by Surge in PE from APAC, Middle East, and Others
Anti-dumping duties on North American suppliers and disruption in Middle East supply were major factors.
Continue readingGlobal PVC Trade (Compounded and Uncompounded) Rose 5% to 8.2 Million Tons Through May 2026 as Exports From China, Korea, and Thailand Soared
India and Vietnam were key export destinations, but shipments to numerous destinations were up, particularly countries in Eastern Europe and Africa. Trade within the Asia-Pacific region expanded by 13%, to 2.8 million tons.
Continue readingPE Global Trade Down 4% May 2026 YTD: Lower Exports From the Middle East Partly Offset by Higher Shipments From APAC; North American Shipments Flat as Regional Flows Shifted
Polyethylene global trade (all grades combined) is projected at 29.0 million tons through May 2026, a decline of 1.4 million tons from May 2025 YTD.
Continue readingMethanol Global Trade Down 12% May 2026 YTD vs 2025 on Much Lower Middle East Exports to Asia-Pacific and Western Europe
Through May 2026, 13.2 million tons of methanol were traded globally, a decline of 1.9 million tons from May 2025 YTD.
Continue readingAnhydrous Ammonia Global Trade Down 14% May 2026 YTD vs 2025 on Much Lower Middle East Exports; North American and Chinese Shipments Surged
Anhydrous ammonia global trade is projected at 6.6 million tons through May 2026, down from 7.2 million tons May 2025 YTD.
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