Tag Archives: Middle East

Ethylene 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.

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Polycarbonates 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.

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Ethylene 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.

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Methanol 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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Polypropylene 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.

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Polyethylene 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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Global 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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US Polyethylene Exports Increased Again in 2025 on Gains to Latin America, Western Europe, and Other Regions

US exports of polyethylene (all grades combined) reached 15.7 million tons in 2025, up from 13.8 million tons in 2023, based on US export statistics.

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China Surged Past the United States in 2025 to Become the World’s Largest PVC Exporter, Accounting for 24% of Total Global Trade Volume

China exported aggressively within Asia-Pacific and to Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

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China’s Changing Role in Global Polyethylene Trade

China continues as the world’s largest PE importer but its percentage share of global trade volume has fallen over the 2020-2025 period. China’s imports are projected to decline further; China’s exports, to increase.

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