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.
California EPR backs mechanical over chemical recycling
California EPR backs mechanical over chemical recycling
Houston, 6 August (Argus) — California regulators are proposing a "mechanical first" approach to recycling under the state's packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) program, potentially favoring mechanically recycled plastics over chemically recycled material. The debate stems from California's implementation of Senate Bill (SB) 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, a landmark 2022 law that shifted responsibility for managing packaging waste from local governments to producers. The law established an EPR program for packaging and single-use food service ware and requires producers to meet packaging recyclability, recycling and source-reduction targets by 2032. Under the legislation, all covered packaging must be recyclable or compostable by 2032, single-use plastic packaging must achieve a 65pc recycling rate, and producers must reduce covered plastic packaging sold into the state by 25pc. As regulators develop rules for the program, California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has indicated that mechanical recycling should be prioritized whenever it is technologically and economically feasible, while allowing chemical recycling to play a role for materials that cannot be effectively processed through conventional recycling systems. Advanced recycling companies, recyclers and packaging industry groups argue the chemical recycling approach aligns with SB 54's goal of increasing recycling rates and will be needed to help meet the law's long-term targets, particularly for flexible packaging and other plastics that are difficult to recycle mechanically. Environmental groups and some lawmakers counter that the legislation was intended to prioritize waste reduction, reuse and conventional recycling pathways, and warn that broader use of chemical recycling could undermine those goals. The outcome could influence investment and feedstock demand across the recycling sector, particularly for producers of mechanically recycled plastics as California moves forward with EPR implementation. By Dona Davis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Refinity taps Zeton for plastics-to-olefins demo plant
Refinity taps Zeton for plastics-to-olefins demo plant
Houston, 27 July (Argus) — US plastics recycling technology firm Refinity has chosen Canadian engineering company Zeton to design and build a 10,000 metric tonnes/yr modular plastics-to-olefins demonstration plant. Refinity plans to situate the facility next to a third-party petrochemical steam cracker, allowing olefins made from mixed plastic waste to feed directly into downstream operations. The company's fluidized-bed technology converts mixed plastic waste into light olefins, such as ethylene and propylene, which can be integrated into petrochemical production after the steam-cracking process. The technology can achieve higher plastics-to-olefins yields than routes that first convert plastic waste into pyrolysis oil before steam cracking, according to Refinity. Zeton, based in Oakville, Ontario, specializes in designing and building pilot, demonstration and modular production plants. The company has completed more than 1,000 projects in 45 countries and serves chemical, energy and petrochemical clients. Neither Refinity nor Zeton disclosed the location of the demonstration plant, the project's cost, expected start-up date or the identity of the steam-cracker partner. By Dona Davis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Indorama advances circularity at Philippine rPET plant
Indorama advances circularity at Philippine rPET plant
Singapore, 27 July (Argus) — Thai chemical producer Indorama Ventures is advancing circularity at its PETValue Philippines recycling plant through a Zero Waste to Landfill partnership with Philippine firm Republic Cement & Building Materials, according to an official press release on 24 July. The initiative will be implemented through IndoNova, Indorama Ventures' recycling arm, which converts post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into food-grade recycled PET (rPET) resin. Under the partnership, PET caps and labels that cannot be recycled into rPET will be recovered by Republic Cement's resource recovery unit, ecoloop, and used as alternative fuel in cement production instead of being sent to a landfill. The project combines PETValue's bottle-to-bottle recycling capability with Republic Cement's resource recovery expertise to boost material recovery and support circular-economy goals, Indorama Ventures said. It demonstrates cross-industry collaboration aimed at reducing landfill dependency in the Philippines. PETValue Philippines, a joint venture between Indorama Ventures and beverage bottling and distribution firm Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP), operates the country's first bottle-to-bottle, food-grade PET recycling plant in Cavite. By Sihan Long Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
EU publishes vehicle recycled content rules
EU publishes vehicle recycled content rules
Brussels, 24 July (Argus) — The EU today published the regulation setting recycling requirements for vehicles and end-of-life vehicle management, which includes the obligation for at least 15pc of recycled plastic in new vehicles from 1 September 2032. This increases from 1 September 2036 to 25pc of plastic recycled by weight from post-consumer waste. The regulation excludes from the weight calculation elastomers from tyres and thermosets, apart from cushioning polyurethane foams. A further provision requires at least 20pc of the target to come from plastics recycled from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) or from parts removed from used vehicles. The European Parliament approved the rules in June. German centre-right EPP lawmaker Jens Gieseke, who helped draft the measure, said it opens the way for more recycled steel, aluminium and other critical raw materials to be used in new vehicles. By 30 September 2028, the European Commission is obliged to adopt a delegated act establishing a minimum share of steel recycled, and where relevant ferrous scrap, from post-consumer steel waste. The steel target should apply no later than 14 August 2033. Similarly, the commission has to set a minimum target share of recycled aluminium and alloys, also applicable by that date. More broadly, the regulation sets a 1 September 2032 target for EU type-approved vehicles to be constructed so they are "reusable or recyclable" to a minimum of 85pc by mass. The commission has to assess by 31 December 2033 the feasibility of targets to increase the use of biobased feedstock in vehicles' plastics. The law enters into force in 20 days, with provisions generally applying from 1 September 2028. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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