The Middle East is the world’s largest polypropylene exporting region. The conflict in the region, now entering its second month, continues to restrict not only exports of polymer but also of feedstocks. Global trends in 2026 will likely be vastly altered from the past, with tight supplies, higher prices and a massive restructuring of trade routes.
Continue readingIranian Exports of Anhydrous Ammonia, Ethylene Glycol, Polyethylene and Methanol Accounted for 16%-69% of Total Middle East Exports in 2025.
Export statistics published by the Iranian government show much higher volumes than are visible from trading partner import statistics, largely because a great deal of Iranian material is transshipped through other Middle Eastern countries, noting especially UAE.
Continue readingTrends in Polyethylene Global Trade, 2021-2025; Outlook for 2026
The ITP Indicator of polyethylene global trade showed a volume of 72.2 million tons in 2025, up 1% from 2024. The upward trend visible since 2023 will be disrupted in 2026.
Continue readingHeavy Exports of Commodity Polymers – Especially PP, PVC and PET – Supported China’s Unexpectedly Strong Economic Performance in January/February 2026; Imports Slumped
Despite tariff frictions, weak global demand, and the Chinese New Year holiday in the second half of February, exports of polyethylene, polypropylene, styrenics, PVC, and PET were up versus the prior year.
Continue readingEthylene Exports from the Middle East – Impact of Supply Disruption
The conflict that began in Iran on February 28, 2026 has spread across the region, curtailing production and delaying or rerouting shipments of ethylene through the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East shipments of ethylene in 2025 were 238,000 tons, accounting for 20% of total global exports of 1.2 million tons.
Continue readingPolycarbonates Exports from the Middle East – Impact of Supply Disruption
The conflict that began in Iran on February 28, 2026 has spread across the region, curtailing production and delaying or rerouting shipments of polycarbonates through the Strait of Hormuz. The Middle East is the world’s third largest exporter of polycarbonates; shipments of 318,000 tons in 2025 were 20% of total global exports of 1.6 million tons.
Continue readingEthylene Glycol Exports from the Middle East – Impact of Supply Disruption
The conflict that began in Iran on February 28, 2026 has spread across the region, curtailing production and delaying or rerouting shipments of ethylene glycol through the Strait of Hormuz.
Continue readingMethanol Exports from the Middle East – Impact of Supply Disruption
The conflict that began in Iran on February 28, 2026 has spread across the region, curtailing production and delaying or rerouting shipments of methanol through the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East exports of methanol of 17.5 million tons in 2025 were 56% of total global exports of 31.1 million tons.
Continue readingPolypropylene Exports from the Middle East – Impact of Supply Disruption
The conflict that began in Iran on February 28, 2026 has spread across the region, curtailing production and delaying or rerouting shipments of polypropylene through the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East exports of polypropylene in 2025 (7.0 million tons) were 42% of total global exports of 16.7 million tons.
Continue readingPolyethylene Exports from the Middle East – Impact of Supply Disruption
Exports from Iran have ended and global trade flows are being impacted by the conflict that began February 28, 2026, spreading to other suppliers in the region, and delaying or rerouting shipments of polyethylene through the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East exports of polyethylene in 2025 (18.7 million tons) represented 43% of total global exports of 43.8 million tons.
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