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.

Asia-Pacific, with shipments of 560,000 tons in 2025, was the world’s largest exporting region. This was followed by: Western Europe, with 425,000 tons; Middle East, with 316,000 tons; North America, with 225,000 tons; and, smaller volumes from Eastern Europe and Latin America.

The Middle East exported just over 80% of its total to Asia-Pacific, nearly all of which was polymer from SABIC’s facility in Saudi Arabia. China, India and Singapore were major destinations. Producers in the Asia-Pacific region, including China, Thailand, Korea and others, are likely to fill any supply void.

From International Trader Publications’ Polycarbonates World Trade Analysis, a continuously updated analysis of global trade, based on latest statistics from all reporting countries.