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.

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

Western Europe’s exports to other regions are projected to total 445,000 in 2025, up 5%. Exports to Eastern Europe, its largest volume destination, are projected up 2%, to 268,000 tons; exports to Asia-Pacific are projected up 27%, to 95,000 tons.

Much higher exports out of Saudi Arabia account for nearly all of the surge in Middle East volume, up 43%, to 323,000 tons. Markets in Asia-Pacific, mainly China, India and Singapore are leading volume and growth export destinations.

Asia-Pacific exports are projected up 3%, to 546,000 tons, noting gains to Western and Eastern Europe. Exports out of China to all destinations, including within Asia-Pacific, are projected to total 557,000 tons, up 13%, the increase negatively impacting shipment totals out of Thailand, Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

From International Trader Publications’ Polycarbonates World Trade Analysis, based on the latest trade statistics from all reporting countries.