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.
Continue readingUS 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.
Continue readingMassive 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.
Continue readingChina’s Exports of Fabricated Plastic Products to US Reduced by Tariffs
China exports numerous fabricated plastic products that can be identified by specific polymer, and many other products that involve mixed polymers. Exports of most of these to the US were down June 2025 YTD.
Continue readingIndia to Add New PVC Capacity to Reduce Reliance on Imports
Adani Group has announced plans to build a 1 million ton per year PVC plant in Mundra, Gujarat, scheduled on stream in 2028, to meet India’s growing demand for the polymer for agricultural, construction and industrial uses.
Continue readingTurkey Imports Record Volumes of Polyethylene in April and May, Partly Because of a US Pivot from China
New capacity, weak demand and tariff uncertainties resulted in a 6% drop, to 1.1 million tons, in China’s imports of polyethylene from the US. Some US polymer has been directed to Turkey.
Continue readingChina/Vietnam Trade in Several Major Polymers and Chemicals Unlikely to Include Significant Transshipments
A new trade agreement between the US and Vietnam lowers tariffs on goods imported into US from Vietnam as the country of origin but keeps tariffs high if the goods are transshipped from China. Trade between China and Vietnam does not indicate significant transshipments for polyolefins and other products.
Continue readingUS Polyethylene Exports in May 2025 Continued Depressed on Lower China Trade
Chinese retaliatory tariffs on imports of polyethylene from the US resulted in a 24% drop in US shipments to China for the January – May 2025 period, to 822,000 tons. That decline was somewhat offset by higher volumes to other markets, resulting in a 4% increase in the US total, to 6.5 million tons YTD.
Continue readingUS Ethane Exports to China Expected to Rebound in July
The US imposed restrictions on ethane exports to China in late May and early June. Restrictions have since eased and exports are expected to rise.
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