US imports slowed from 132,000 tons in September to 117,000 tons in October, then plunged to 77,000 tons in November.
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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.
Continue readingOver 2020-2025, China – the World’s Largest Polypropylene Importer – Reduced Imports by Roughly 50% and Increased Exports by 600%
The addition of massive Chinese capacity dramatically impacted global trade flows.
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 readingIndonesia’s New Facility Will Reduce Dependence on Imports of Polyethylene and Polypropylene From Asia-Pacific Sources
On November 6, 2025, Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto inaugurated a naphtha cracker that will produce 1 million tons of ethylene and 520,000 tons of propylene. These will reduce Indonesia’s imports of monomers, polymers, and other petrochemicals.
Continue readingIndia Imported Record High Volumes of Film/Sheet Fabricated from PE, PP, and PET in July/August 2025; Prices Were at Their Lowest in Over Two Years
Through August 2025, the most current month available for India, imports of PE film/sheet totaled 282,000 tons, up 52% from the same period the year before. Imports of PP film/sheet were 67,000 tons, up 64%; PET film/sheet, 84,000 tons, up 76%.
Continue readingITP Projects Polycarbonate Polymer Global Trade Volume of 3.9 Million Tons in 2025, up 2% from 2024
Prominent trends include: much higher exports out of the Middle East; higher exports also out of Western Europe and Asia-Pacific; increased imports into every world region except Africa and North America.
Continue readingChina to Raise Naphtha Imports to Counter Ethane and LPG Trade Uncertainties
Although trade tensions have decreased, the higher tariffs in effect and earlier supply disruptions impacting ethane and liquefied propane gas imports from the US have led China to double import quotas on naphtha, which is used mainly to make petrochemicals.
Continue readingNorth America’s ABS, SAN, Polyacetal, Polycarbonate, PMMA and PET Trade in 2024: Key Trends and Regional Shifts
North America exported sizable volumes of polycarbonates, polyacetals, ABS and PET film/fiber grade in 2024 and imported large volumes of bottle and film/fiber grade PET, and ABS.
Continue readingChina’s Polymer Trade in April 2025: Record Exports, Low Imports, Huge Challenges Ahead
Following the traditional Chinese New Year slowdown in February, China’s exports of all the commodity polymers – PE, PP, PVC, Styrenics, and PET – rebounded to record levels in March and continued strong in April. Exports of fabricated products also were high. Imports were flat. Major headwinds are expected to impact exports in the coming months.
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