The volume of global trade in acrylic acid fell substantially over 2021 to 2025 and is projected down slightly September 2026 YTD. Profound shifts were evident in key regional trends.
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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 readingUS Exports of Polyethylene Slowed Across Q2, Picking up Slightly in July (YTD, 8.8 Million Tons, Down 3%); Steep Decline in the Average Price vs. June (to $1244/ton, Down ~$200/ton)
US exports YTD to Europe, Africa, and Canada were up; shipments to Latin America and Asia-Pacific fell.
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 readingMethanol Global Trade Down 12% May 2026 YTD vs 2025 on Much Lower Middle East Exports to Asia-Pacific and Western Europe
Through May 2026, 13.2 million tons of methanol were traded globally, a decline of 1.9 million tons from May 2025 YTD.
Continue readingAnhydrous Ammonia Global Trade Down 14% May 2026 YTD vs 2025 on Much Lower Middle East Exports; North American and Chinese Shipments Surged
Anhydrous ammonia global trade is projected at 6.6 million tons through May 2026, down from 7.2 million tons May 2025 YTD.
Continue readingTrends in Polyethylene Film/Sheet Global Trade 2015-2025
The volume of PE film/sheet traded globally increased by 2.6 million tons from 2015 to 2025. Imports into every region grew, as did trade within each region. Shipments by suppliers in Asia-Pacific and Eastern European surged. Trade flows in 2026 will be impacted heavily by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Continue readingTrends in Polyethylene Bags/Sacks Global Trade 2015-2025
Global trade generally trended higher over the ten-year period, volume in 2025 at 5 million tons, up from 3.8 million tons in 2015. Key regional changes included much higher imports into Western Europe and North America, expanded exports out of Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe, and increased intra-regional trade within virtually all regions. As bags and sacks are an important end-use for PE polymer, trade flows are being impacted by the on-going the Middle East conflict, especially in Asia-Pacific.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Sank in April 2026; Exports Soared
China’s imports of polyethylene and polypropylene in April 2026 fell to record lows for the January 2022-April 2026 period. China’s exports of polyethylene and polypropylene set new record highs.
Continue readingTrends in Methanol Global Trade 2021-2025; Implications for 2026
Global trade in methanol has been relatively steady around 40 million tons per year from 2023-2025. Volume in 2026 is expected to be lower because of the current conflict in the Middle East, the world’s largest methanol exporting region.
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