Tag Archives: US Polymer Trade Report

US Polyethylene Exports Increased Again in 2025 on Gains to Latin America, Western Europe, and Other Regions

US exports of polyethylene (all grades combined) reached 15.7 million tons in 2025, up from 13.8 million tons in 2023, based on US export statistics.

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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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United States Imports of PET Sank in November 2025 As Reciprocal Tariffs Hit Supplies From Vietnam, Thailand, and Others

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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Impressive Surge in US Exports of Polyethylene in March, 2022

The United States exported 966,000 tons of ethylene polymers in March, 2022, an increase of 160,000 tons over February. Shipments of every PE grade were up in March. Further increases are likely with startup of new capacity.

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United States Exports of Ethylene Polymers in January 2022 Were at Their Highest Level in 10 Months

Despite the rise, shipments were still 20% below the record high volumes exported in January 2021. There was also a marked change in export destinations by region between the two periods.

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Trends in United States Exports of Recyclable Polymers

The US exported 557,000 tons of recyclable polymers in 2021, one-third the volume of what was shipped in 2017. In addition to a sharp decline in volume over that period, the distribution of US exports changed. Latin America and Canada now account for a greater share of the total, although Asia-Pacific remains the largest volume destination. Further declines in US exports to Asia-Pacific are likely given the decision by CMA CGM, the US’s largest shipper of these materials, to end shipments as of June 1, 2022.

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