Author Archives: JJSUDOL

New POM Capacity in China is Projected to Lower Global Trade Volume in 2025 by 6% from 2024, to 1.2 Million Tons.

Lower imports into China, together with rising exports from China, will impact trade flows out of Western Europe, North America and the Middle East.

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Sharp Drop in China’s Imports of Liquefied Propane Gas from US

In 2024, China reported imports of liquefied propane gas from the US of 17.3 million tons, up 37% from 2023. Through August of 2025, China’s imports from US were down 28%, to 8.2 million tons, the shortfall filled by Middle East and other sources.

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ITP Projects Polycarbonate Polymer Global Trade Volume of 3.9 Million Tons in 2025, up 2% from 2024

Prominent trends include: much higher exports out of the Middle East; higher exports also out of Western Europe and Asia-Pacific; increased imports into every world region except Africa and North America.

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ITP Projects ABS Global Trade Volume in 2025 Down 2%; Prominent Trends Include an Increase in APAC Exports, a Decline in WE Exports, and Lower Intra-regional Trade for Both Regions.

ABS global trade is projected at 4.1 million tons in 2025, down 2% from 2024. Prominent trends include an increase in Asia-Pacific exports to other regions, a decline in exports from Western Europe to other regions, and lower intra-regional trade in both regions.

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UAE Polyethylene and Polypropylene Exports Are Projected to Decline in 2025, with Losses in Asia-Pacific Only Partly Offset by Gains in Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America; Historic Data Shows Major Re-Exports

UAE exports of polyethylene (all grades) are projected at 3.8 million tons yearend 2025, down 1%; polypropylene, 1.6 million tons, down 6% (based on import statistics from all available publishing countries, as the UAE does not publish timely statistics). The latest export data for UAE, for 2023 (from UN Comtrade), shows much lower exports out of UAE than is reported by trading partners as imports from UAE as the country of origin.

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ITP Projects PP Homopolymer Global Trade Volume in 2025 Up 2% vs. 2024, Copolymers Volume, Unchanged; Middle East and APAC Battle for European and African Markets as China’s Exports Soar.

Polypropylene homopolymer global trade is projected at 22.5 million tons in 2025, up 2% from 2024; propylene copolymers trade adds another 10.3 million tons, unchanged.

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US Polyethylene Exports Shift to Other Regions, Offsetting Lower Volumes to Asia-Pacific

The US exported 9.1 million tons of polyethylene (all grades combined) through July 2025, up 5% from the same period in 2024. Trade with Asia-Pacific slowed, but there were strong gains to Eastern Europe and Africa and moderate increases to Western Europe and Latin America. Average prices remained depressed.

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Massive Surge in China’s Exports of Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Styrenics, PVC, and PET Through July 2025, at Record Low Prices

Overcapacity, weak domestic demand, and the attraction of very low prices in an uncertain global economic environment were evident in the 29% jump in China’s commodity polymer exports July 2025 YTD, to 11.1 million tons, on gains to every region except North America. Average prices sank to their lowest levels in over five years, most polymers losing roughly $1000/ton from highs in 2021/2022, PET an exception, losing $400.

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