Polyester Fibers Outlook in the World of Tariff Uncertainty

June 11, 2025 | Webinar

View the on-demand

Despite significant capacity expansions since 2022, polyester fibers have seen stronger than expected growth in both production and demand, particularly in mainland China.

However, newly announced U.S. tariffs including on apparel, fabric, and fiber imports could disrupt established trade flows. As supply chains adapt and new trade partnerships evolve, key questions emerge around future growth prospects for polyester fibers.

This webinar will explore the potential impacts of these policy shifts and market realignments on polyester fiber demand growth.

Highlights:

  • Recent trends in polyester fiber production and demand
  • Regional fiber trade
  • Outlook for polyester fibers amid evolving trade landscapes

View the on-demand

Speakers: Polyester Fibers Outlook in the World of Tariff Uncertainty

Prem Chitkara

Prem Chitkara Executive Director, Polyester Fibers, Glycols & EO Derivatives Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Prem is the Executive Director of Polyester Fibers, Glycols & EO Derivatives for the European, Middle-East, and African markets.

Prem Chitkara is the executive director for polyester fibers, glycols & EO derivatives in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA region) at Chemical Market Analytics. With over 30 years of experience, Prem is a key resource within the business for understanding and insight into polyester fibers, glycols and ethylene oxide (EO) derivatives.

He works closely within the EMEA region with various stakeholders, including manufacturers & buyers, convertors, end consumers and financial industries, bringing support and guidance through the polyester and EO chains. His current area of focus includes oversight of the ‘Global Polyester Fibers and Feedstocks’ reports as well as primary input and insight for the ‘Market Advisory – Global Ethylene Oxide, Glycols and EO Derivatives,’ ‘World Analysis- Polyesters’ and ‘World Analysis- Ethylene Oxide and Monoethylene Glycol (MEG).’

Prem has rich and diverse industry experience globally in manufacturing, technical, expansion projects, sales & marketing, and business development, supporting him in his current role. Before joining the consulting business in 2017, Prem worked with Reliance Industries Limited for 23 years at different locations in India and Germany, where he was responsible for developing Reliance’s Polyester business in the EMEA region.

He holds a degree in Textile Engineering and earned an MBA. He has completed an Executive Management Development program at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, India, and a Business Sustainability Management program at Cambridge University in the UK.

Ashish Pujari

Ashish Pujari Vice President, Asia Aromatics & Fibers Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Ashish Pujari is the Vice President of Aromatics and Fibres at Chemical Market Analytics in Singapore.

Ashish Pujari is the Vice President for Aromatics and Fibers in Asia. He has over 30 years of experience in the petrochemical industry, mainly focused on the polyester and raw material value chain, which stretches from project design, operations, sales & marketing and business development. Over the past 15 years, he has focused on market research and consulting for the polyester and raw material industry. He is responsible for providing thought leadership to the sector and guiding our long-term forecasts.

Ashish works with the Asian petrochemicals industry and coordinates support across the value chains. His current products of focus are Paraxylene, terephthalic acid (PTA) and Polyester, covering the regional dynamics and guiding the global outlook. He also actively continues to focus on sustainability developments in the polyester sector. Ashish has also been instrumental in launching several reports, including the pricing reports for Aromatics in Asia and the Global Polyurethanes & Feedstock report.

Ashish joined CMAI in 2009, with a responsibility to cover the Asian PX and polyester markets and has taken additional responsibilities through our transition to Chemical Market Analytics. Before joining CMAI, Ashish worked for Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) in India and was leading the M&A activity in the polyester sector at the time of his exit in 2009. Ashish joined RIL as a fresh engineer in 1994 in the project design and construction group and later progressed to operations. He also worked in sales & business development, becoming the North India regional sales lead for raw materials.

Ashish holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Polymers & Chemical) from the University of Pune, India, as well as an Executive Management diploma from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.

 

Meiko Woo

Meiko Woo Executive Director, Global Nylon Fibres & Feedstocks Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Meiko Woo is an Executive Director for Global Nylon Fibers and Feedstocks service at Chemical Market Analytics.

Meiko Woo is the service leader for the nylon fibers and feedstocks service at Chemical Market Analytics and contributes to the polyester fibers and feedstocks service in North America. With over 20 years of experience, Meiko is a key resource within the business for understanding and insight into the fibers sector of the petrochemical industry.

Meiko has developed an international reputation for providing meaningful analysis and actionable solutions for customers to optimize their business position concerning the nylon and polyester fibers industry. Her relevant skills include a keen commercial and technical understanding of the nylon and polyester value chain and robust analytical capabilities to drive toward data-driven conclusions.

Before joining the predecessor of Chemical Market Analytics in 2009, Meiko worked for six years with Invista in Taiwan, China. She started as a process engineer and was promoted to Utility Area Plant Manager in 2004 and T10 Technical Plant Manager in 2006 before shifting to a commercial role in early 2007 and working as a planning and technical service manager. With her strong technical background, she liaised between the commercial team and manufacturing.

Meiko has a Master’s in Environmental Engineering from the National Chiao Tung University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the National Taiwan University, China.

Webinar Recordings

Polyester Fibers Outlook in the World of Tariff Uncertainty

Despite significant capacity expansions since 2022, polyester fibers have seen stronger than expected growth in both production and demand, particularly in mainland China. However, newly announced U.S. tariffs including on apparel, fabric, and fiber imports could disrupt established trade flows. As supply chains adapt and new trade partnerships evolve, key questions emerge around future growth prospects for polyester fibers. This webinar will explore the potential impacts of these policy shifts and market realignments on polyester fiber demand growth.

Learn More

Trade & Tariff Tensions: The Ripple Effects on Energy & Chemical Markets

As new US tariffs unfold and retaliatory measures escalate, the global trade landscape is shifting, leading to higher costs and mounting supply chain pressures across the chemical industry. This session explores the implications of these tariff changes, examining their economic fallout and impact on critical energy and chemical markets. Our market experts will explore the ripple effects on key chemical sectors such as polyolefins, aromatics, and inorganics, and assess the broader implications for energy markets. With uncertainty at an all-time high, understanding the dynamics of these tariff tensions has never been more crucial for businesses navigating an increasingly complex global market. Access the recording and gain expert insights and strategies for managing the challenges ahead.

Learn More

Meeting the Short and Long-Term Challenges in Circular Plastics

This webinar will provide an update addressing the industry’s strategic progress toward plastics circularity, as well as an introduction to the new Global Recycled Plastics service that will assist market participants in navigating the tactical and short-term elements as they implement their circular business plans.

Learn More

What Lies Ahead for Chlor-Alkali & Vinyls

In this webinar, our experts provided insights and the latest outlooks to address questions such as: - How will Trump 2.0 impact chlor-vinyls outlooks? - China stimulus, will the economic engine restart? - The changing landscape of tariffs, what does it mean for trade?

Learn More

From Energy Policy to Trade: Strategic Insights on Trump’s Return

With the new US administration in effect, our experts deep-dived into policy changes that could impact production, sustainability, trade, and tariffs. They provided insights into what these updates mean for the industry and how companies can strategically navigate emerging challenges and opportunities.

Learn More

The Changing Ammonia Landscape

In this webinar, Carl Roache explored the changing market dynamics and key legislation, providing insights around the evolving supply-demand picture. He also introduced the new service, highlighting some of the key offerings, functionality and explain when and how you can access the service.

Learn More
TALK TO AN EXPERT

Talk To An Expert

These offers include recommended content or information on upcoming events. I can unsubscribe at any time.*