Trends in Trade Flows Across the Life Cycle of Plastics: Preliminary Review

The document analyzes the scale and geographic distribution of the global plastics trade, which reached a value of at least $1.2 trillion in 2021. It categorizes trade into non-hidden, semi-hidden, and hidden flows, noting that official Harmonized System (HS) codes fail to capture significant volumes of embedded plastics and packaging. The analysis identifies China, the EU, and the US as dominant players and highlights the shift of plastic waste flows toward developing Asia-Pacific nations following China's import bans. The authors argue for updating HS classifications in the 2027 cycle to improve data on polymer types, recycled content, and chemicals of concern to support global efforts to end plastic pollution.

• In 2021, the global plastics trade had a minimum value of $1.2 trillion, which is approximately 5% of all global trade.
• Trade flows are categorized into three types: non-hidden (explicitly categorized under HS Chapter 39), semi-hidden (plastics under other HS codes like synthetic rubber and textiles), and hidden (plastics embedded in products or used as packaging). In 2018, non-hidden flows were 257 Mmt, semi-hidden were 82 Mmt, and hidden flows were estimated at at least 70 Mmt.
• Final manufactured plastic goods, including empty plastic packaging, were the highest value trade category in 2021 at approximately $510 billion, while primary plastics were the largest by volume at 172 Mmt.
• China is the largest individual exporting country of plastics, accounting for 19% of total exports in 2021, though the European Union as a collective bloc surpasses China.
• The Asia-Pacific region has become the leading plastic exporter, with average exports of 148 Mmt between 2000 and 2021, overtaking Europe's average of 100 Mmt.
• Official trade statistics for plastic waste declined by nearly 57% in volume between 2016 and 2021 following import restrictions in major destination countries, though illegal and misclassified trade remains significant.
• China's import restrictions on plastic waste shifted trade flows toward other countries, including Indonesia, Turkey, India, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
• The trade in empty plastic packaging is a high-value sector, with exports reaching $160 billion in 2021, though these figures exclude hidden packaging associated with pre-packaged goods and distribution.
• In 2021, the trade of synthetic textiles and apparel had a total value of $195 billion and a volume of 35 Mmt, with China accounting for over 47% of international trade.
• The trade of synthetic rubber materials and products in 2021 totaled $166 billion in value and 42 Mmt in volume, with rubber tires and inner tubes accounting for half of that value ($84 billion).
• Synthetic fishing nets, a major source of marine pollution, were traded at an estimated volume of 0.81 Mmt in 2021, with China accounting for approximately half of all exports.
• Current Harmonized System (HS) classifications lack sufficient granularity regarding polymer types, recycled content, and harmful chemical additives, which the authors suggest addressing in the 2027 amendment cycle.

APA

Birkbeck, C. D., Barrowclough, D., Sugathan, M., Bellmann, C., & Rodrigues, L. S. C. (2023). Trends in Trade Flows Across the Life Cycle of Plastics: Preliminary Review. Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs. https://lyrical-cormorant.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Publications/TESS-Briefing-Note-Trends-in-Trade-Flows-Across-the-Life-Cycle-of-Plastics-Preliminary-Review.pdf?dm=1694075426

Chicago

Birkbeck, Carolyn Deere, Diana Barrowclough, Mahesh Sugathan, Christophe Bellmann, and Leonardo Souza Campos Rodrigues. Trends in Trade Flows Across the Life Cycle of Plastics: Preliminary Review. Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs, 2023. https://lyrical-cormorant.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Publications/TESS-Briefing-Note-Trends-in-Trade-Flows-Across-the-Life-Cycle-of-Plastics-Preliminary-Review.pdf?dm=1694075426.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Birkbeck |first1=Carolyn Deere |last2=Barrowclough |first2=Diana |last3=Sugathan |first3=Mahesh |last4=Bellmann |first4=Christophe |last5=Rodrigues |first5=Leonardo Souza Campos |title=Trends in Trade Flows Across the Life Cycle of Plastics: Preliminary Review |publisher=Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs |date=May 2023 |url=https://lyrical-cormorant.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Publications/TESS-Briefing-Note-Trends-in-Trade-Flows-Across-the-Life-Cycle-of-Plastics-Preliminary-Review.pdf?dm=1694075426 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{birkbeck2023trends, author = {Birkbeck, Carolyn Deere and Barrowclough, Diana and Sugathan, Mahesh and Bellmann, Christophe and Rodrigues, Leonardo Souza Campos}, title = {{Trends in Trade Flows Across the Life Cycle of Plastics: Preliminary Review}}, institution = {Forum on Trade, Environment, \& the SDGs}, year = {2023}, month = may, url = {https://lyrical-cormorant.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Publications/TESS-Briefing-Note-Trends-in-Trade-Flows-Across-the-Life-Cycle-of-Plastics-Preliminary-Review.pdf?dm=1694075426}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }