EU27 Polymer Imports Stay Nearly Flat in H1 2026 as PE Decline Offsets Growth Elsewhere

EU27 polymer imports declined by less than 1% year on year in the first half of 2026, but the marginal overall change masks substantial differences between individual polymers and supplying countries.

Imports increased across all major polymers covered in the period except PE. A sharp reduction in shipments from key Middle Eastern suppliers weighed heavily on PE and was enough to offset stronger import volumes for PP, PVC, PS and PET.

The result marks a clear slowdown from the nearly 13% year-on-year growth recorded in H1 2025, but the latest data point to a shift in supply patterns rather than a broad reversal of Europe's dependence on imported polymers.

PE

Total imports: -12% year on year

Key supplier movements:

Saudi Arabia: -34%
Qatar: -49%
Canada: +96%

PE was the main exception among the major polymers, with EU27 imports falling 12% from a year earlier.

The United States remained the largest supplier despite a 4% decline in shipments. Saudi Arabia ranked second, but its volumes dropped 34%, while South Korea, the third-largest supplier, increased shipments by 8%.

Qatar also recorded a sharp reduction, with shipments falling 49%. Canada provided a major increase, with volumes almost doubling, but the additional supply was insufficient to offset the decline from Middle Eastern origins.

PP

Total imports: +9% year on year

Key supplier movements:

Saudi Arabia: -26%
South Korea: +22%
Vietnam: +70%

PP imports followed a very different path, increasing 9% despite a substantial reduction in Saudi Arabian shipments.

South Korea became the largest supplier after raising shipments by 22%, overtaking Saudi Arabia. The UK ranked third, with volumes increasing 20%.

Vietnam also recorded strong growth, with shipments climbing 70%.

The figures show that Europe was able to replace reduced Saudi PP availability more effectively than in PE, with alternative suppliers filling much of the supply gap.

PVC

Total imports: +68% year on year

Key supplier movements:

South Korea: +245%
Taiwan: +207%
China: +188%

PVC recorded the strongest growth among the polymers examined, with EU27 imports surging 68%.

South Korea became the largest supplier after increasing shipments by 245%. Mexico ranked second despite a 14% decline, while China moved into third place following an 188% increase.

Taiwan also recorded a major jump of 207%.

The sharp increases from South Korea, China and Taiwan highlight the growing contribution of Asian suppliers to Europe's PVC import market, against the backdrop of ongoing restructuring within the region's domestic vinyls industry.

PS

Total imports: +16% year on year

Key supplier movements:

Iran: -81%
South Korea: +92%
Egypt: +113%

PS imports increased 16% despite an 81% collapse in Iranian shipments.

Turkey remained the largest supplier, with volumes rising 23%. China moved into second place after increasing shipments by 65%, while South Korea ranked third following a 92% increase.

Iran, which had been the second-largest supplier a year earlier, dropped significantly in the rankings. Egypt also recorded substantial growth, with shipments more than doubling.

The figures show that lower Iranian availability was accompanied by increased supply from Turkey and Asian origins, allowing overall PS imports to continue growing.

PET

Total imports: +3% year on year

Key supplier movements:

Turkey: +38%
Vietnam: -55%
Pakistan: +58%

PET imports increased by a more modest 3%, although the supplier mix also changed significantly.

Turkey strengthened its position as the largest supplier, with shipments rising 38%. Egypt remained second after increasing volumes by 6%, while Vietnam stayed in third place despite a 55% decline.

Pakistan recorded a 58% increase, while Chinese shipments rose 37%.

Unlike PE, PET's supplier movements do not point to the same direct impact from Middle Eastern supply disruptions. Instead, they reflect a broader reshuffling of Europe's external polymer supply base.

PE Weighs on Overall Import Growth

The nearly flat headline figure for total EU27 polymer imports conceals a much more active shift in supply patterns.

PE was the decisive drag, as steep reductions from Saudi Arabia and Qatar could not be fully replaced by other origins. In contrast, PP imports rose as South Korea, Vietnam and other suppliers compensated for lower Saudi volumes.

PVC saw the most significant expansion, driven particularly by Asian suppliers, while PS imports increased despite the sharp reduction in Iranian shipments. PET also recorded growth, led by stronger Turkish and Pakistani supplies.

Overall, the first half of 2026 demonstrates that Europe's polymer import dependence remains substantial, but the ability to replace disrupted supply differs considerably by product.

Alternative origins were able to fill gaps in PP, PS and PVC, while PE showed the limitations of that flexibility when major Middle Eastern supply volumes declined sharply.

With parts of Europe's domestic petrochemical industry continuing to undergo restructuring, changes in global sourcing patterns are likely to remain an important factor in the region's polymer supply landscape.

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