News
-
Middle East Conflict Triggers Surge in Global Polypropylene (PP) Prices Asia Records the Strongest Increase
Data from Platts, a division of S&P Global Energy, shows that global polypropylene (PP) prices have risen sharply across the board since early March, driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Europe European PP homopolymer injection grade prices have increased by €220/mt since the start of March. As of March 13, spot price (free delivery) for PP homopolymer injection grade in Northwest Europe stood at €1,200/mt. On March 11, Platts assessed CFR North Africa PP raffia grade at $1,290/mt, up $190/mt week on week. This marks the largest single-week gain since the price assessment launched on March 17, 2021. CFR West Africa raffia grade prices have jumped 39% since the conflict began. Platts assessed CFR Far East Asia PP injection grade at $1,180/mt, an increase of $330/mt fr... -
Chemdo to Showcase Comprehensive Plastic Raw Material Solutions at Chinaplas 2026 in Shanghai
Shanghai Chemdo Trading Limited is pleased to announce its participation in Chinaplas 2026 (The 38th International Exhibition on Plastics and Rubber Industries), the premier global event for the plastics and rubber sector. Exhibition Information Dates: April 21–24, 2026 Venue: National Exhibition & Convention Center (Shanghai), PR China Booth No.: 2.2J63 Main Products As a leading supplier of plastic raw materials, Chemdo will showcase its full range of high-quality polymer products at the exhibition, including: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Polyethylene (PE) Polypropylene (PP) Polystyrene (PS) Polycarbonate (PC) Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Chinaplas... -
Geopolitical Conflicts and Policy Headwinds: China’s PVC Market Faces Dual Tests of Fire and Ice
Introduction The global chemical market has seen sharp volatility at the start of 2026. Renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the sudden escalation of the situation in Iran have directly driven a surge in crude oil prices, known as the “mother of the chemical industry.” However, for China’s polyvinyl chloride (PVC) market, this external “fire” has collided with a “cold snap” from domestic policy adjustments. Amid the complex interplay of cost support and the removal of export tax rebates, China’s PVC industry stands at a crossroads filled with uncertainty. The Upside: Geopolitical Conflicts Ignite Cost Support The recent escalation in Iran has become the biggest variable in the global energy market. As a key member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ... -
Dramatic Reversal of U.S. Tariff Policy: Structurally Differentiated Impacts on China’s Plastics and Chlor-Alkali Industries
Introduction From February 20 to 24, 2026, the U.S. tariff policy underwent drastic adjustments. The impact of this tariff fluctuation on China’s chemical industry market showed structural differentiation, and the core transmission path has shifted from “direct trade impact” to “downstream demand suppression and global trade flow restructuring”. I. Event Description From February 20 to 24, 2026, the U.S. tariff policy experienced a dramatic reversal: on February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the 10% “reciprocal tariff” previously imposed by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) was illegal and revoked it; however, on February 24, the U.S. government immediately imposed a 15% temporary ta... -
Spring Festival Period PE Market Trend and Post-Holiday Outlook
During the 2026 Spring Festival in February, most domestic petrochemical enterprises maintained normal production. Some enterprises reduced their operating load due to the sharp rise in crude oil prices during the holiday, but the overall operating rate remained at a reasonable level. Affected by continuous production during the holiday, delayed post-holiday logistics recovery and the advance arrival of some imported resources (originally scheduled to arrive in mid-to-late February) at ports before and during the holiday, the accumulation of petrochemical and social inventories accelerated significantly. Data shows that as of February 24, the total inventory of Sinopec and PetroChina (covering general plastics including PE, PP, a small amount of ABS, PS and EVA) reached 940,000 tons, a... -
A Prosperous Start to the Working Year
-
Warm wishes for a joyful and peaceful Spring Festival
-
PV Industry: Lightweighting and Weather Resistance Drive Material Upgrades
Currently, the photovoltaic (PV) industry is in a structural adjustment phase driven by overcapacity, with accelerating industry consolidation. However, long-term demand remains optimistic. Going forward, technological innovation and cost control will continue to drive the expansion of diversified application scenarios. First-generation EVA encapsulant films have long dominated the market due to their mature manufacturing processes and low costs. Nevertheless, their limitations in weather resistance and resistance to potential-induced degradation (PID) have spurred the industry to pursue superior alternative solutions. POE encapsulation materials, boasting excellent water vapor barrier properties and high electrical resistivity, have become the material of choice for high-efficiency tec... -
Brazilian premium‑grade rPET flake demand plunges as supply chains shift
SÃO PAULO (ICIS)–Brazilian demand for premium‑grade recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) flakes is set to continue weakening as the competitiveness of virgin material strengthens and supply‑chain dynamics shift. Premium flake demand has slumped versus virgin Pellet makers are cutting external flake buying Quality-premium spreads have collapsed Significant capacity has been built for non‑pellet‑verticalized premium‑grade rPET flake lines in recent years. That capacity was added primarily to serve premium rPET applications, especially food‑grade pellets. Recyclers equipped to produce flakes with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) contamination below 50 ppm – a key benchmark for premium quality – and similarly low levels of other contaminants are now struggling to place material. DEMAND PATT... -
Vioneo Plans to Build a Methanol-to-Polyolefins Plant in China
On January 16, European chemical startup Vioneo announced its decision to abandon the construction of a 300,000-ton-per-year green methanol-to-polyolefins plant in Europe and instead invest in a similar project in China. Vioneo stated that “by being able to source green methanol locally, it helps formulate favorable pricing schemes for customers while improving supply chain efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions, and accelerating product launch timelines.” To this end, to establish a more efficient production facility in China will serve as its first commercial-scale green methanol-based polyolefin production plant. Previously, Vioneo had planned to build its first commercial-scale plant in Antwerp, Belgium, with an investment of approximately 1.5 billion euros. The facility wou... -
PP/PE Industry Capacity Pattern Reshaped: Green Transition and Project Upgrade as Core Themes
China’s PP/PE (polypropylene, polyethylene) industry is undergoing a capacity reshuffle, with key developments including the commissioning of BASF’s Zhanjiang polyethylene plant and progress on PetroChina Dalian Petrochemical’s new polyolefin projects driving the sector toward larger-scale, high-end production. BASF (Guangdong)’s 500,000-ton/year polyethylene plant, contracted by Huanqiu Contracting & Engineering Corporation, has successfully started operations and produced qualified products. The project, a key Sino-German cooperation initiative witnessed by both countries’ premiers, is BASF’s largest overseas investment to date. Located in Zhanjiang’s Donghai Island Petrochemical Industrial Park, the plant adheres to global construction st... -
PVC Industry’s Expansion Cycle Ends, 2026 Supply-Demand to Improve Marginally
China’s polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry has concluded its nearly eight-year capacity expansion cycle, with no new capacity plans for 2026, entering a structural adjustment phase. Coupled with overseas high-cost capacity withdrawal and export support, supply-demand dynamics are expected to improve marginally, verified by authoritative institutions. Supply-side data shows steady growth in domestic PVC capacity and output from 2018 to 2025. 2025 saw 2.2 million tons of new capacity added, with ethylene-based PVC proportion rising to 28%. Only minimal new capacity is pending globally in 2026, marking the end of expansion. The 2025 PVC market correction led to industry-wide losses, with acetylene-based PVC hitting a historic low. Despite a year-end rebound, prices remain at the bot...