US imports slowed from 132,000 tons in September to 117,000 tons in October, then plunged to 77,000 tons in November.
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China Increasingly Dominates PET Trade – China’s Exports Accounted for 45% of the Total Volume of PET Traded Globally in 2025, Up From 23% in 2020
Massive capacity expansion in China has led to growing exports to Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
Continue readingChina Surged Past the United States in 2025 to Become the World’s Largest PVC Exporter, Accounting for 24% of Total Global Trade Volume
China exported aggressively within Asia-Pacific and to Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
Continue readingOver 2020-2025, China – the World’s Largest Polypropylene Importer – Reduced Imports by Roughly 50% and Increased Exports by 600%
The addition of massive Chinese capacity dramatically impacted global trade flows.
Continue readingChina’s Changing Role in Global Polyethylene Trade
China continues as the world’s largest PE importer but its percentage share of global trade volume has fallen over the 2020-2025 period. China’s imports are projected to decline further; China’s exports, to increase.
Continue readingProjected Trends in Global Trade Volume in 2025 Versus 2024: Bisphenol A, -12%; Polycarbonate Polymer, up 2%; Polycarbonate Film/Sheet, up 10%
New capacity, government regulations, and demand in diverse industries impacted global trade in the BPA to PC film/sheet product train.
Continue readingImplications of Venezuela’s Rising Imports of Polyethylene
Venezuela’s imports of polyethylene have risen over most of the 2010-2025 period while exports have been negligible. The dramatic United States military intervention in Venezuela on January 3, 2026 and the stated US intention to upgrade the country’s oil industry raises the possibility that a corollary upgrade of the country’s petrochemical capacity may also be considered.
Continue readingHigher Imports into Western Europe of PVC, ABS, PTA, N-Butyl Acetate, Polyethylene, and Polypropylene from APAC are Projected in 2025; Increases Expected on PE from North America and PP from the Middle East
A surge in imports of these and other polymers and chemicals have led to warnings of an existential crisis for the European chemical industry, and, have led INEOS to announce plans to file 10 major anti-dumping cases to protect these strategic materials.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Commodity Polymers Continued Low in October 2025; Exports Stabilized Near Record Levels
China imported 18.3 million tons of all grades of PE, PP, PS, PVC, and PET through October 2025, down 8% on declines across all the polymers. Exports were 15.8 million tons, up 27%, with shipments of all polymers showing strong gains. Trade for the month was likely negatively impacted by the one week holiday celebrating China’s National Day, October 1-8.
Continue readingProjected Global Trade Volume in 2025: Methacrylates, 1.3 million Tons, down 1% from 2024; PMMA Polymer, 0.6 million Tons, down 4%; PMMA Film/Sheet, 0.7 million Tons, down 1%
Regional export flows shifted in 2025, pressured by lower global trade volume, weak demand, and new capacity.
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