China, Pakistan, and other trading partner import statistics corroborate the increase in polyethylene volumes from Iran and other Middle East sources.
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Middle East Exports of Anhydrous Ammonia and Methanol are Projected Down >40% Through June 2026; MEG, Down 33%; HDPE and LDPE/LLDPE Each Down 20%
From the start of the conflict on February 28, 2026, flows through the Strait of Hormuz have been restricted by both Iran and the US. The US has increasingly imposed sanctions on Iranian vessels and its growing shadow fleet.
Continue readingMethanol Global Trade Down 12% May 2026 YTD vs 2025 on Much Lower Middle East Exports to Asia-Pacific and Western Europe
Through May 2026, 13.2 million tons of methanol were traded globally, a decline of 1.9 million tons from May 2025 YTD.
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 readingIranian Exports of Anhydrous Ammonia, Ethylene Glycol, Polyethylene, and Methanol Accounted for 16%-61% of Total Middle East Exports in 2025
Export statistics published by the Iranian government show much higher volumes than are visible from trading partner import statistics, largely because a great deal of Iranian material is transshipped through other Middle Eastern countries, noting especially UAE.
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 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 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.
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