Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET) is the most commonly used thermoplastic polymer in the world and known in the textile industry by the trade name “polyester.” It is a naturally transparent and semi-crystalline plastic widely used as a fiber for clothing, as an effective moisture barrier with wide applicability in bottling and packaging (known in these cases as PET or “PET resin”).

According to some reports, the current global demand for the material generates an annual market of about 56 million metric tons. The major end users of polypropylene are the textile industry, which (according to Wikipedia) consumes about 60% of the total. Other major uses include the bottling and packaging industry which accounts for roughly 30%.

According to data released by the Ministry of Economy of Brazil, Brazil’s import of polyethylene terephthalate accounts for 0.03% of the total imports in 2018, ranking the 294th of PPE (Principais Produtos Exportados, Main Products Exported) imports in 2018; and it also ranks the 248th in the import of manufactured products in 2018 with the proportion of 0.03%.

Import Weight of Polyethylene Terephthalate in 2014-2018

Data Source: Ministry of Economy of Brazil

According to the above graph, import weight of polyethylene terephthalate is displaying a general decline trend in the past five years despite of a weak rebound in 2017. Especially in 2015, the import weight saw a sharp fall by -55.70% year on year. In 2018, its import weight amounted to 44,111.13 tons, down by -17.60% compared with that of 2017.

Import Value of Polyethylene Terephthalate in 2014-2018

Data Source: Ministry of Economy of Brazil

Meanwhile, the import value saw a general decrease trend in the past five years, and hit the bottom in 2016, plummeting to USD 44.06 million. Especially in 2015, the import value had sharp fall by -61.50% compared with that of 2014. In 2018, the import value totaled USD 53 million, seeing a -2.30% YoY decrease. And Brazil imported some polyethylene terephthalate worth of USD 3.55 million from China in 2018, up by 158.2% compared with that of 2017.

Import Price of Polyethylene Terephthalate in 2014-2018

Data Source: Ministry of Economy of Brazil

From 2014 to 2016, the import price saw a continuous downward trend and hit the bottom in 2016, down by -17.60% compared with that of 2015. From 2016 to 2018, it saw a slight upward trend. In 2018, the average import price is USD 1.201 FOB / Kg, up by 18.50% YoY.

Top 7 Exporters of Polyethylene Terephthalate to Brazil in 2018

Data Source: Ministry of Economy of Brazil

In 2018, Brazil’s imports of polyethylene terephthalate are mainly from Argentina, Taiwan (China), Paraguay, Mexico, China, Lithuania and Oman. Argentina ranks first among the top 7 export countries, with the export value to Brazil amounting to USD 13.46 million, up by 33.4% YoY in 2018, representing 25% in the Brazil’s polyethylene terephthalate imports, followed closely by Taiwan (China), Paraguay and Mexico, accounting for 21%, 11% and 11% respectively.

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