Tag Archives: virgin polyethylene

Global Trade in Recyclable Polyethylene Slowed in 2023 and 2024

Global trade in recyclable PE contracted slightly in 2024, to 2.9 million tons, off 1% from 2023. This followed a 3% decline in 2023 versus 2022. Turkey was the world’s largest importer of recyclable PE; imports picked up in 2024 as the average price fell.

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Polyethylene is Traded Globally in Three Forms

Global trade in virgin polyethylene, fabricated polyethylene products and recyclable polyethylene is quantifiable and gives a more complete understand of trends for this polymer.

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Trends in Recyclable Polyethylene in 2023

Global trade volume in recyclable polyethylene polymer in 2023 dropped 2% from 2022, to 3.0 million tons, indicating weaker global demand. Key trends included lower intra-regional trade in Western Europe and Asia-Pacific, lower imports into Western Europe and a surge in imports into Asia-Pacific on material sourced mainly from Western Europe and North America. Average prices steadied in the second half of 2023 at low levels.

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Recycle Polyethylene: Current Global Trade Trends

In 2014, global trade in recycle polyethylene totaled 6.6 million tons, up 23%. Trade volume through June of 2015 was 2.6 million tons, down 13%, based on reporting countries. Global trade volume is an indicator of global demand.

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China Imported 380,000 Fewer Tons of Recycle PE Through August, 2013

This was a decline of 16% from the prior year and a sharp break in the upward trend in imports of recycle polymer that was evident over the last several years. By comparison, China’s imports of virgin polymers of ethylene were up 8% through August, an increase of about 460,000 tons. Continue reading