Functions
Recycled polyolefins is classified under HS Code 3901.10. This falls under Chapter 39: Plastics and articles thereof, specifically Heading 3901 (Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms), under subheading: Ethylene polymers; in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94.
* The data below is specific to the HS code, not the ingredient.
Suppliers
3,074
Across 92 countries
Shipments
31,078
from 2015 to 2026
Total weight
3.4T kg
125,605 TEU · standard 20-foot container units
Last shipment
6 months ago
Last updated at Feb 25, 2026
Growth
↑ 55%
Trade under 3901.10 has increased by 55% over the past 6 months
Trade activity under HS 3901.10 indicates a large, active supply chain dominated by major petrochemical producers and traders, with 3,074 suppliers and 31,078 shipments recorded. The presence of firms like Braskem, SABIC, Borealis, and Dow suggests primary polyethylene resin flows rather than dedicated recycled feedstock. Some entities, such as Gestora Catalana De Residuos and Carmel Olefins, hint at waste-management or compounding links, but the data does not confirm recycled-content specialization. This implies that recycled polyolefin sourcing likely occurs within a broader virgin-resin-dominated network, requiring direct supplier verification to isolate recycling operations.
HS code 3901.10 covers polyethylene with a specific gravity below 0.94, in primary forms, under Chapter 39 for plastics. This classification is broad and does not distinguish recycled content from virgin resin, nor does it capture other polyolefins like polypropylene. The scope includes primary producers, compounders, and downstream converters, but the data explicitly notes that supplier activity is not ingredient-specific. For recycled polyolefins, this means the classification cannot confirm recycled feedstock, and any supply-chain conclusions must treat the evidence as polyethylene-related rather than recycling-specific.
| Supplier | Shipments | Top customer | Growth | Last shipment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No suppliers found. | |||||
The supplier landscape is highly diversified, with 3,074 suppliers across 92 countries, but shipment activity is concentrated among a few large petrochemical firms. Braskem Idesa, Sabic Americas, Taghleef Industries, and Borealis account for thousands of shipments, indicating a top-heavy structure. Below these, hundreds of smaller suppliers, including logistics providers and converters, create a long tail. For recycled polyolefins, this suggests that while many entities touch polyethylene, only a subset likely handles recycled material, and the data does not identify which. Supplier qualification would be necessary to map the true recycling-focused landscape.
Key risks include reliance on virgin-resin-dominant suppliers, potential misclassification of recycled content, and inactive trade relationships. Several suppliers show zero growth scores and stale shipment dates, such as Valfilm Nordeste (2016) and Css Spedition (2016), indicating historical rather than current activity. The presence of logistics intermediaries among top suppliers raises questions about actual manufacturing capacity. Additionally, the HS code's broad scope means recycled polyolefin availability cannot be inferred from shipment volumes alone. Further diligence should verify supplier recycling certifications, feedstock sources, and recent shipment activity to avoid dependency on dormant or non-recycling entities.
Mexico, Spain, Germany, Belgium, and South Korea show the highest shipment volumes, with Mexico alone accounting for 7,133 shipments and over 1.69 trillion kg. These regions likely serve as major hubs for polyethylene trade, but the data does not confirm recycled-content flows. Spain and Belgium host several specialized compounders and waste-linked entities, such as Gestora Catalana De Residuos, which may be more relevant to recycling. However, the absence of ingredient-specific shipment evidence means these geographies should be viewed as primary polyethylene lanes, not confirmed recycled polyolefin sources.
By shipment count
Mexico
7,133 shipments
287 suppliers
1.7T kg total weight
Spain
3,472 shipments
283 suppliers
156.2M kg total weight
Germany
2,678 shipments
220 suppliers
46.2M kg total weight
Belgium
2,481 shipments
105 suppliers
92.5M kg total weight
South Korea
1,843 shipments
76 suppliers
95.2M kg total weight
India
1,442 shipments
170 suppliers
27.6M kg total weight
Israel
1,194 shipments
92 suppliers
47.3M kg total weight
Canada
1,053 shipments
89 suppliers
82.3M kg total weight
Türkiye
960 shipments
274 suppliers
17.9M kg total weight
Brazil
929 shipments
74 suppliers
60.6M kg total weight