Global trade generally trended higher over the ten-year period, volume in 2025 at 5 million tons, up from 3.8 million tons in 2015. Key regional changes included much higher imports into Western Europe and North America, expanded exports out of Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe, and increased intra-regional trade within virtually all regions. As bags and sacks are an important end-use for PE polymer, trade flows are being impacted by the on-going the Middle East conflict, especially in Asia-Pacific.
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China’s Imports of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Sank in April 2026; Exports Soared
China’s imports of polyethylene and polypropylene in April 2026 fell to record lows for the January 2022-April 2026 period. China’s exports of polyethylene and polypropylene set new record highs.
Continue readingUS Exports of Linear Polyethylene Hit a Record in March 2026 as Trade Flows Shift Globally
Half of the world’s polyethylene comes from the Middle East and some of it is on, estimated by Al Jezeera, 2000 vessels still stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.
Continue readingUS Imports of Polyethylene Bags May Face Additional Tariffs
As reported in Plastics News, US retail plastic bag makers have filed a petition with the US government requesting an additional 25% tariff on bags from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Continue readingSharp Drop in China’s Imports of Methanol from the Middle East in March 2026
The impact of the Iranian conflict that began February 28, 2026 was evident in China’s methanol imports in March.
Continue readingTrends in Polypropylene Homopolymer Global Trade, 2021-2025; Implications for 2026
The Middle East is the world’s largest polypropylene exporting region. The conflict in the region, now entering its second month, continues to restrict not only exports of polymer, but also of feedstocks. Global trends in 2026 will likely be vastly altered from the past, with tight supplies, higher prices, and a major restructuring of trade routes for as long as the conflict continues, and beyond.
Continue readingHeavy Exports of Commodity Polymers – Especially PP, PVC and PET – Supported China’s Unexpectedly Strong Economic Performance in January/February 2026; Imports Slumped
Despite tariff frictions, weak global demand, and the Chinese New Year holiday in the second half of February, exports of polyethylene, polypropylene, styrenics, PVC, and PET were up versus the prior year.
Continue readingEthylene 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 through the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East shipments of ethylene in 2025 were 238,000 tons, accounting for 20% of total global exports of 1.2 million tons.
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 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.
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