China’s Antimony Ban May Drive Up US PET Prices

As trade tensions continue to affect global supply chains, US PET producers are facing fresh uncertainty. A recent export ban from China on key metal compounds, including antimony trioxide, a common catalyst in PET production, is pushing up costs and could place upward pressure on PET resin prices in the months ahead.

China’s export ban creates surge in antimony prices

In August 2024, China’s government announced that companies would need to apply for export licenses to export antimony and declare whether the end use was for military or civilian application.

However, in December 2024 China banned exports to the US on various metals including antimony trioxide, gallium and germanium, which has created a surge in antimony trioxide prices. Since 2020, antimony prices have increased over 234%, according to data from the Institute for Rare Earths and Metals.

Source: US Geological Survey (USGS)

China is the largest producer of antimony, accounting for almost half of global supply at over 80,000 tons last year, according to data from US Geological Survey (USGS).

From 2020-2023, the largest volume of antimony oxide imports to the US came from China, Belgium and Bolivia.

Antimony trioxide impact to US PET pricing

Antimony is commonly used in the US for lead and ammunition, flame retardants and nonmetal products including ceramics, glass and rubber plastics, as well as in PET production as a catalyst to speed up the chemical reaction that produces PET resin.

Source: US Geological Survey (USGS)

Other catalysts used instead of antimony trioxide include oxides of titanium or aluminum but are not as efficient as antimony trioxide. Additionally, historically, antimony has been the cheapest option for a catalyst, according to market participants.

It is estimated that for every $40,000/tonne increase in antimony prices, there is an estimated 0.5 cents per pound increase of US PET resin, according to Antulio Borneo, ICIS Vice President – North America PET/Polyester Chain Analyst.

Concerns from producers on the US PET market are growing as a result of this ban and subsequent surge in antimony trioxide prices.

PET resins can be broadly classified into bottle, fiber or film grade, named according to the downstream applications. Bottle grade resin is the most commonly traded form of PET resin, and it is used in bottle and container packaging through blow molding and thermoforming. Fiber grade resin goes into making polyester fiber, while film grade resin is used in electrical and flexible packaging applications.

PET can be compounded with glass fiber for the production of engineering plastics.

DAK Americas, Indorama, Nan Ya Plastics Corporation and Far Eastern New Century (FENC) are PET producers in the US.

As rising feedstock costs and supply constraints continue to shape PET markets, the plastics industry is under pressure to adapt quickly. Reliable market data and timely insight are essential for responding to cost drivers like antimony, staying ahead of price fluctuations, and protecting margins.

With ICIS, you gain access to the data and analysis you need to understand what’s happening and why. From price movements and forecasts to supply and demand trends, we help you make informed decisions with confidence. For broader context on trade, logistics, and policy developments, explore our dedicated topic pages on US tariffs and global logistics.