Global trade in methanol has been relatively steady around 40 million tons per year from 2023-2025. Volume in 2026 is expected to be lower because of the current conflict in the Middle East, the world’s largest methanol exporting region.
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Trends in Anhydrous Ammonia Global Trade 2021-2025. Implications for 2026.
Global trade patterns in anhydrous ammonia shifted to counter the effect of the Ukraine-Russia conflict that began in 2022. The current shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a major part of the world’s anhydrous ammonia is shipped, and also the natural gas that is used for anhydrous ammonia production in other regions, will again disrupt trade flows but also threatens the global fertilizer outlook.
Continue readingTrends in Propylene Copolymers Global Trade, 2021-2015. Implications for 2026.
Propylene copolymers, defined as polymer containing less than 95% propylene monomer by weight and the remainder another olefin(s), are exported from three main regions, Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. This is unlike homopolymer, where exports from the Middle East currently account for about half of total exports and, as such, are highly vulnerable to supply constraints in the region.
Continue readingTrends in Polyethylene Global Trade, 2021-2025; Implications for 2026.
The ITP Indicator of polyethylene global trade showed a volume of 72.2 million tons in 2025, up 1% from 2024. The upward trend visible since 2023 will likely be disrupted in 2026.
Continue readingPolycarbonates Exports from the Middle East – Impact of Supply Disruption
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.
Continue readingEthylene Glycol Exports from the Middle East – Impact of Supply Disruption
The conflict that began in Iran on February 28, 2026 has spread across the region, curtailing production and delaying or rerouting shipments of ethylene glycol through the Strait of Hormuz.
Continue readingMethanol Exports from the Middle East – Impact of Supply Disruption
The conflict that began in Iran on February 28, 2026 has spread across the region, curtailing production and delaying or rerouting shipments of methanol through the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East exports of methanol of 17.5 million tons in 2025 were 56% of total global exports of 31.1 million tons.
Continue readingPolypropylene Exports from the Middle East – Impact of Supply Disruption
The conflict that began in Iran on February 28, 2026 has spread across the region, curtailing production and delaying or rerouting shipments of polypropylene through the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East exports of polypropylene in 2025 (7.0 million tons) were 42% of total global exports of 16.7 million tons.
Continue readingPolyethylene Exports from the Middle East – Impact of Supply Disruption
Exports from Iran have ended and global trade flows are being impacted by the conflict that began February 28, 2026, spreading to other suppliers in the region, and delaying or rerouting shipments of polyethylene through the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East exports of polyethylene in 2025 (18.7 million tons) represented 43% of total global exports of 43.8 million tons.
Continue readingGlobal Trade in PE Film/Sheet and PE Bags/Sacks Continued to Rise in 2025 Despite Bans on Single-Use Products
Global trade in PE film/sheet rose 8% in 2025 to 7.4 million tons; trade in PE bags/sacks grew by 6% to 5 million tons. This followed gains of about 6% per product in 2024, compared to 2023.
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