Although the EU Summit that concluded October 16th, 2026 yielded a concession from China to reduce exports of electric vehicles to Europe by almost half, the European Commission was charged with creating, “without delay”, new and possibly severe trade defense instruments to counter imports of other products, including chemicals. Details and what, if any, polymers were included were not provided (The Straits Times).
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China’s Polyethylene Imports from Saudi Arabia Rebounded in Q3 2026
The increase in the third quarter followed a steep drop in the second, suggesting that Saudi Arabia has successfully redirected more polyethylene shipments via alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz, and possibly that some progress has been made in moving material through the Strait itself.
Continue readingUS Polyethylene Exports Rebounded in August 2026 to Levels Last Seen at the Start of the Iranian Conflict
Higher shipments to China were a key factor in the August rebound.
Continue readingIran’s Recently Published Polyethylene Export Statistics Show a Rebound in Shipments in July and August 2026
China, Pakistan, and other trading partner import statistics corroborate the increase in polyethylene volumes from Iran and other Middle East sources.
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 readingGlobal Trade Volume for Ethylene Monomer, Polyethylene, and Recyclable Polyethylene is Projected Down by 5-15% Through September 2026
The conflict in the Middle East has resulted in lower trade volume along the entire chain, impacting shipping and shifting trade flows between regions.
Continue readingUS Exports of Polyethylene Slowed Across Q2, Picking up Slightly in July (YTD, 8.8 Million Tons, Down 3%); Steep Decline in the Average Price vs. June (to $1244/ton, Down ~$200/ton)
US exports YTD to Europe, Africa, and Canada were up; shipments to Latin America and Asia-Pacific fell.
Continue readingThailand Imported 0.5 Million Tons of Polyethylene Through June 2026 YTD, up 46% vs 2025, and Exported 1.1 Million Tons, Down 20%
Key factors in the trends were feedstock shortages from the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and aggressive exporting by China.
Continue readingFaced With Global Oversupply, South Korea Will Restructure the Yeosu Complex, Shutting 1.4 Million Tons of Ethylene Capacity
Korea’s ethylene exports plummeted with the start of the Iranian conflict. The restructuring will result in further declines.
Continue readingChina Exported Record Volumes of PE Polymer and Fabricated PE Film/Sheet, PE Bags/Sacks in the First Half of 2026
Constrained supplies of polymer and feedstocks from the Middle East provided China with opportunities to sell PE polymer and fabricated PE products globally.
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