New capacity, government regulations, and demand in diverse industries impacted global trade in the BPA to PC film/sheet product train.

ITP’s projections of global trade volume have consistently been within two percentage points of final data. The trend in global trade volume generally reflects the trend in global demand, given supply availability.

A major contributor to the projected drop in global trade in Bisphenol A was lower trade within Asia-Pacific. New BPA capacity in China sharply reduced its imports, which were mainly from sources within the region.

Western Europe’s trade also impacted global trade volume. Both intra-regional trade and imports are projected down, due in part to new EU regulations banning BPA in all food-contact materials as of January 2025, which have led to the rising adoption of substitutes.

Polycarbonate polymer global trade is projected up 2% in 2025, demand for consumer electronics and automotive key drivers.

PC is widely exported from Western Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Middle East exports, mainly to Asia-Pacific, posted the strongest gain, new capacity in Saudi Arabia a factor.

Polycarbonate Film/Sheet, widely used in construction, consumer electronics and automotive, is projected up 10% in 2025. Imports are projected higher in 2025 in Western and Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and Latin America. Also up are exports out of Western Europe and Asia-Pacific.

From International Trader Publications World Trade Analyses on BPA, PC Polymer and PC Film/Sheet, continuously updated analyses based on latest statistics from all reporting countries.