Polymers
Overview
The polymers market is uniquely impacted by fundamentals like feedstocks, demand, sustainability drivers, trade, and new plant capacity increases.
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.
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.
Spotlight content
Browse the latest thought leadership produced by our global team of experts.
WhitePaper - 25/03/20
Recycling legislation and learning from experience
US plastic recyclers are calling out for more legislative support to enable the industry to develop.
Podcast - 25/02/17Chemical Conversations: Global PE, PP and PVC markets evaluation, with focus on Turkish market
WhitePaper - 25/02/04Argus PVC and Vinyls: Unravelling recent price methodology changes
Learn about the Argus PVC & Vinyls key price methodology changes and how these aim to better align price assessment timings with usage in supply contracts.
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