What began as a seemingly self-inflicted wound for the US polyethylene (PE) industry has evolved into a calculated demonstration of global resilience. As the world’s largest PE exporter—thanks in part to its abundant ethane feedstock—US producers found themselves in a precarious position when reciprocal tariff threats emerged from both China and the EU, two of its largest export markets...
India’s PP and PE markets have entered a bearish phase, with demand tapering off ahead of the monsoon season and import prices continuing their downward trajectory. Although geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan have eased, a seasonal slowdown, falling upstream costs, and rising inventories have all combined to erode buying interest, pushing polyolefin prices lower across the board...
The market presented a contradictory picture this week, shaped by cautiously shifting global cues and persistent local challenges. A temporary truce in US-China trade tensions over the weekend helped crude oil prices rebound and fueled speculation about a potential shift in pricing strategies from South Korea, which had been notably aggressive in Türkiye earlier in May. These prompted some traders to withdraw low-end offers or even test modest increases on US-origin materials...
Market sources argue that the European Commission is on the verge of initiating an anti-dumping investigation into imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from Türkiye and Vietnam. Although no official announcement has been made yet, growing chatter within the industry points to possible trade measures targeting these two major PET exporters. Speculation is building, and as the EU mulls potential new restrictions, market players are increasingly on edge over the uncertainty this could bring...
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