China, Pakistan and other trading partner import statistics corroborate the increase in polyethylene volumes from Iran and other Middle East sources.
Continue readingTag Archives: Saudi Arabia
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 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 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 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 readingProjected Trends in Global Trade Volume in 2025 Versus 2024: Bisphenol A, -12%; Polycarbonate Polymer, up 2%; Polycarbonate Film/Sheet, up 10%
New capacity, government regulations, and demand in diverse industries impacted global trade in the BPA to PC film/sheet product train.
Continue readingChina’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.
Continue readingProjected Global Trade Volume in 2025: Methacrylates, 1.3 million Tons, down 1% from 2024; PMMA Polymer, 0.6 million Tons, down 4%; PMMA Film/Sheet, 0.7 million Tons, down 1%
Regional export flows shifted in 2025, pressured by lower global trade volume, weak demand, and new capacity.
Continue readingNew POM Capacity in China is Projected to Lower Global Trade Volume in 2025 by 6% from 2024, to 1.2 Million Tons
Lower imports into China, together with rising exports from China, will impact trade flows out of Western Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Continue reading