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Saudi Arabia emerged as the leading exporter of polyethylene-based microplastics in 2023, with exports surpassing billion U.S. dollars. The United States followed closely, exporting ****billion U.S. dollars’ worth, while the European Union trailed significantly with exports totaling ****billion U.S. dollars. Global plastic production amounted to *million metric tons in the same year.

Global plastic production

The plastics industry continues to expand, with Asia, particularly China, leading global production. China accounted for ** percent of global plastics production in 2023, followed by the rest of Asia at ** percent. While Saudi Arabia and the United States were top exporters, China emerged as the leading importer, with polyethylene microplastics imports worth almost *** billion U.S. dollars.

Environmental concerns and future outlook

As plastic production and trade continues to grow, so do the environmental concerns surrounding the material. An estimated *** million metric tons of plastic waste had accumulated in the world's oceans and rivers as of 2020, with projections indicating this could double by 2040. Despite these challenges, the versatility of plastics ensures their continued demand across various industries. Polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride were the most produced types of plastics in 2023, collectively accounting for nearly half of all plastic production. Global plastics use is expected to surpass *** billion metric tons by 2060, highlighting the need for sustainable practices in production, trade, and waste management.