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, compared to 2023.
Continue readingMonthly Archives: February 2026
US 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.
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