The volume of global trade in acrylic acid fell substantially over 2021 to 2025 and is projected down slightly September 2026 YTD. Profound shifts were evident in key regional trends.
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Sharply Lower Middle East Styrene Monomer Exports Through September 2026 Impacted Asia-Pacific Trade Flows for Monomer and Polymers
Asia-Pacific shipments of styrene monomer surged. Exports of general purpose and expandable polystyrene also expanded, but ABS was down.
Continue readingIndonesia Has Removed Import Duties on Polyolefins in Response to Supply Disruptions in the Middle East
As reported in Business Indonesia, the removal of tariffs on linear low-density polyethylene, HDPE, and polypropylene began in May 2026 and is to extend for six month. The removal of these duties, and also from LPG imports, was intended to reduce prices along the packaging chain.
Continue readingIndia and Thailand, Both Large Polyolefin Importers, had Higher Volumes YTD Despite Reduced Middle East Supply
The conflict in the Middle East has shifted trade flows between regions. For India and Thailand, the shortfall from the Middle East was offset by increased supplies from Asia-Pacific, and, for polyethylene, also North America.
Continue readingBrazil’s PE Import Sources Shifted Dramatically June 2026 YTD vs 2025; Much Lower Volumes From North America Largely Offset by Surge in PE from APAC, Middle East, and Others
Anti-dumping duties on North American suppliers and disruption in Middle East supply were major factors.
Continue readingPE Global Trade Down 4% May 2026 YTD: Lower Exports From the Middle East Partly Offset by Higher Shipments From APAC; North American Shipments Flat as Regional Flows Shifted
Polyethylene global trade (all grades combined) is projected at 29.0 million tons through May 2026, a decline of 1.4 million tons from May 2025 YTD.
Continue readingAnhydrous Ammonia Global Trade Down 14% May 2026 YTD vs 2025 on Much Lower Middle East Exports; North American and Chinese Shipments Surged
Anhydrous ammonia global trade is projected at 6.6 million tons through May 2026, down from 7.2 million tons May 2025 YTD.
Continue readingTrends in Polyethylene Bags/Sacks Global Trade 2015-2025
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.
Continue readingTrends in Methanol Global Trade 2021-2025; Implications for 2026
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.
Continue readingTrends 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 (in addition to the natural gas that is used for anhydrous ammonia production in other regions), will again disrupt trade flows and also threaten the global fertilizer outlook.
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