

Polymers
Overview
Global polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) supply and demand dynamics are in transition. Supply is increasing much faster than demand and international trade is shifting due to political and economic events. About 40% of the US polyethylene production is exported, mainly to Asian markets, whereas only about 10% of the polypropylene production is exported, mainly to LATAM markets.
Ethylene prices in Asia and Europe are tied to naphtha whereas ethylene prices in the US are impacted by natural gas and ethane supply. Asia is also self-sufficient on PP whereas they must import 25% of their PE demand.
The impacts of other ethylene and propylene derivatives such as PVC or propylene oxide also require assessment.
Our polymer experts will help you determine what trends to track and how to stay competitive in today’s ever-changing global markets.
Latest polymers news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global polymers industry.
Circular Plastics to start up Vietnam recycling plant
Circular Plastics to start up Vietnam recycling plant
Singapore, 23 April (Argus) — Singapore-based regional plastic recycler Circular Plastics (CPC) is expected to start up its second recycling facility in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Vietnam, in late May, a company spokesperson told Argus. The facility has a production capacity of 25,000 t/yr of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) flakes and 14,000 t/yr of rPET pellets. CPC currently produces 18,000 t/yr of rPET flakes and 14,000 t/yr of rPET pellets from its other facility located in Yangon, Myanmar. CPC is a producer of high-quality food grade recycled packaging material and supplies global beverage and consumer product companies. By Sihan Long Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
TotalEnergies plans Antwerp cracker closure
TotalEnergies plans Antwerp cracker closure
London, 22 April (Argus) — TotalEnergies has announced plans to close one of the two crackers at its integrated refining and petrochemicals complex in Antwerp, Belgium by the end of 2027. The Antwerp complex is "facing considerable overcapacity in the petrochemicals market", the firm said. The company does not expect to close any downstream petrochemical units at Antwerp and stressed that the cracker is not integrated into its own downstream polymer production. Rather, its exposure to the merchant market has contributed to the closure, with the company highlighting the non-renewal of a major third-party ethylene contract by the end of 2027 as the main driver for the announcement. The unit marked for closure has a nameplate ethylene capacity of 570,000 t/yr and propylene capacity of 255,000 t/yr. It mainly runs on naphtha but has some flexibility to use propane and butane as feedstock. The planned closure will come shortly after the expected start-up of a new 1.45mn t/yr ethane cracker in Antwerp being built by UK-based Ineos. TotalEnergies said it will focus on its other Antwerp cracker, which has 600,000 t/yr of ethylene capacity and is fully integrated with similar-capacity polyethylene units at Antwerp and Feluy. While the closure will not impact TotalEnergies' internal ethylene balance, it will tighten internal propylene supply for the company's 930,000 t/yr polypropylene capacity at Feluy. The cracker closure is part of wider plans for the Antwerp complex announced today, which include wind power, electrification and battery storages and sustainable aviation fuel production. By Alex Sands Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Recycled resin importers caught in tariff uncertainty
Recycled resin importers caught in tariff uncertainty
Houston, 11 April (Argus) — US President Donald Trump's evolving tariff policies have created tremendous uncertainty for US importers of recycled polymers, and constant halts and flip-flopping from the administration have led some to pause their US operations. Multiple importers told Argus that the constantly changing US tariffs on goods have upended business plans, and forced them to pause their US operations for the time being due to uncertainty about the taxes their material will face when it reaches US shores. "You have to have some confidence that conditions will hold in order to import," one trader told Argus . Trump's tariff rollout began on 1 February, when he announced that China would face a 10pc universal tariff, and the US's two largest trading partners, Mexico and Canada, would face 25pc universal tariffs. At the time, market participants speculated that the 25pc tariffs on Canada and Mexico would make operations and sales more expensive for Mexican and Canadian recyclers, particularly those that trade bales or finished resin across the US border. After some negotiations between world leaders, the tariffs on Canada and Mexico were delayed for 30 days, though the 10pc tariff on China went into effect as planned. The 25pc universal tariffs on Canada and Mexico were pushed back again on 6 March, but tariffs on aluminum — a significant competitor to rPET packaging — went into place on 12 March. The tariffs on aluminum have not been rescinded or paused, and the extra cost for imported aluminum as a result of the tariff could incentivize US consumer goods companies to use more PET in their packaging. On 9 April, the US put into place varying reciprocal tariffs on a number of countries that export recycled resin to the US, including India, Malaysia and Vietnam. While rPET and vPET pellets were excluded from the reciprocal tariffs, importers of rPE, rPP and PET waste were not excluded from the tariff. The same day, the reciprocal tariffs were pushed back 90 days in favor of a 10pc universal tariff that excludes Canada and Mexico. China and the US's reciprocal tariffs have escalated into a trade war, and currently material from China faces a 145pc tariff. Since the price is too high for most importers to be willing to pay, in essence all recycled resin imports from China are halted. China is one of the largest buyers of US virgin polyethylene https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2675420), and the current trade war with China has the potential to increase domestic supply as exporters are forced to find new buyers for resin. Increased competition from oversupplied virgin resin could pull down recycled resin pricing. Until some stability in tariff policy returns to the US, traders and importers will continue to turn to other destinations outside the US to sell their recycled resin. By Zach Kluver Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Maryland passes producer responsibility bill
Maryland passes producer responsibility bill
Houston, 8 April (Argus) — Maryland has approved an extended producer responsibility (EPR) bill intended to pass along the costs of recycling end-of-life packaging to producers. The bill must be signed into law by Governor Wes Moore (D). Maryland's producer responsibility law establishes fees for consumer goods producers generating more than $1mn/yr in the state. The fees are intended to reimburse municipal recycling programs for their expenses and to improve recycling infrastructure within the state. The next steps following the law's passage will be choosing a producer responsibility organization (PRO) by July 2025 to complete a needs assessment for Maryland's recycling system, with the state's initial five-year plan due by July 2028. The bill requires eco-modulation of fees, meaning that packaging materials incorporating recycled content will receive a discount in fees paid through the program. If signed by Governor Moore, Maryland will become the [sixth US state]( https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2660158) to establish a producer responsibility law for plastic packaging. By Zach Kluver Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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