Tag Archives: PVC

China’s Commodity Polymers Exports to Europe up Sharply through Sept’26 as EU Considers New Trade Defense Tools

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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Global PVC Trade (Compounded and Uncompounded) Rose 5% to 8.2 Million Tons Through May 2026 as Exports From China, Korea, and Thailand Soared

India and Vietnam were key export destinations, but shipments to numerous destinations were up, particularly countries in Eastern Europe and Africa. Trade within the Asia-Pacific region expanded by 13%, to 2.8 million tons.

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Heavy 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.

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The US and India Have Announced a Trade Deal That Will Impact Trade in Petrochemicals and Related Products

Tariffs will be lowered or eliminated on a number of chemical, polymer, rubber, and plastic products, enhancing trade flows between the countries.

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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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Higher Imports into Western Europe of PVC, ABS, PTA, N-Butyl Acetate, Polyethylene, and Polypropylene from APAC are Projected in 2025; Increases Expected on PE from North America and PP from the Middle East

A surge in imports of these and other polymers and chemicals have led to warnings of an existential crisis for the European chemical industry, and, have led INEOS to announce plans to file 10 major anti-dumping cases to protect these strategic materials.

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China’s Imports of Commodity Polymers Continued Low in October 2025; Exports Stabilized Near Record Levels

China imported 18.3 million tons of all grades of PE, PP, PS, PVC, and PET through October 2025, down 8% on declines across all the polymers. Exports were 15.8 million tons, up 27%, with shipments of all polymers showing strong gains. Trade for the month was likely negatively impacted by the one week holiday celebrating China’s National Day, October 1-8.

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Massive Surge in China’s Exports of Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Styrenics, PVC, and PET Through July 2025, at Record Low Prices

Overcapacity, weak domestic demand, and the attraction of very low prices in an uncertain global economic environment were evident in the 29% jump in China’s commodity polymer exports July 2025 YTD, to 11.1 million tons, on gains to every region except North America. Average prices sank to their lowest levels in over five years, most polymers losing roughly $1000/ton from highs in 2021/2022, PET an exception, losing $400.

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