Prices for standard thermoplastics in China: Is the next crisis threatening?

Prices for standard thermoplastics in China: Is the next crisis threatening?

In May 2025, the average prices for almost all standard thermoplastics occurred on the Chinese market. Both imported goods and inland -produced materials were affected, PET can be seen from bottle quality, which was positive due to increasing temperatures. Among other things, this decline was favored by weak demand from plastic processing in China. As reported Kunststoffweb, after a recent meeting in Switzerland there was a short-term relaxation in the customs conflict between the USA and China. Special tariffs were mutually suspended within 90 days, which initially led to an increase in individual polymer prices. But the upswing was short -lived because the new orders failed to fail.

In June, a weaker questioning level is expected for most standard plastics, apart from the PET. In the meantime, PET producers benefit from a seasonal demand and higher raw material costs, which leads to more stable prices. The decline in pricing is another sign of the challenges with which the plastic industry is faced with, especially in view of the geopolitical tensions and the continuing trade wars.

Current developments in the trade conflict

In May 2025, China experienced a clear minus in ex- and imports. While exports in US dollars decreased by 34.5 % compared to May 2024, the import fell by 18.1 %. This reports Tagesschau. Despite these difficulties, the Chinese economy could ultimately keep its total number of exports stable due to increased exports to other regions, such as Germany. The negotiations between representatives of both countries show that one wants to talk directly about the current trade barriers.

In London, the talks between high-ranking business representatives, including China's Vice Prime Minister He Lifeng and US Finance Minister Scott Bessent, began. This dialogue could be crucial to achieve a fundamental agreement on rare earths and other critical raw materials. One pressure point is the massive trade deficit of the United States, which in 2024 was close to $ 300 billion.

global transformation processes in retail

The current challenges in international trade are not only due to the conflict between the USA and China. As plastic packaging, global trade is fundamentally transformed by protectorist currents and geopolitical tensions. US customs policy has immense economic consequences for both the EU and Germany.

Industrial production in the developed economies has recently decreased significantly, while emerging countries, such as China, have had an increase in export of 11.3 %. Germany, on the other hand, struggles with production declines, especially in vehicle construction and mechanical engineering. On the other hand, sectors such as the pharmaceutical and food industry show more stable growth rates.

These developments illustrate the increasing need for companies to focus on a diversified market and to adapt faster to the changed framework conditions. Innovative approaches and a European agenda for growth could be crucial so that Europe adapts to the global economic turn and secures competitiveness in the long term.