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.
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Iran’s Recently Published Liquefied Propane Gas Export Statistics Show Shipments ~200kt/Month From April to August 2026
Monthly LPG volume was relatively steady from April, although down sharply versus the first quarter.
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 readingMiddle East Exports of Anhydrous Ammonia and Methanol are Projected Down >40% Through June 2026; MEG, Down 33%; HDPE and LDPE/LLDPE Each Down 20%
From the start of the conflict on February 28, 2026, flows through the Strait of Hormuz have been restricted by both Iran and the US. The US has increasingly imposed sanctions on Iranian vessels and its growing shadow fleet.
Continue readingSharp Drop in China’s Imports of Methanol from the Middle East in March 2026
The impact of the Iranian conflict that began February 28, 2026 was evident in China’s methanol imports in March.
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 readingChina 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 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 readingITP Projects General Purpose Polystyrene Global Trade of 3.3 Million Tons in 2025, up 2%; Expandable Polystyrene Global Trade is Projected at 2.6 million tons, up 5%
Higher exports of both polymer grades are projected from Western Europe and Asia-Pacific.
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