Ministry of Economic Affairs' Affordable Plastic Bag Project to Enter Market This Week
The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced today that it launched an affordable plastic bag project in April to address the impact of the Middle East situation on petrochemical raw material supply. With CPC's No. 4 naphtha cracker starting early on April 1 and increasing ethylene production capacity, contracts for 5,000 tons of affordable raw materials have been completed. This is expected to supply approximately 1.25 billion plastic bags, which will be gradually distributed to the market starting this week.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 21:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 22:01 (31 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 22:52 (48h 51m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Yun-ting, Taipei, April 13) The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced today that it launched an affordable plastic bag project in April to address the impact of the Middle East situation on petrochemical raw material supply. With CPC's No. 4 naphtha cracker starting early on April 1 and increasing ethylene production capacity, contracts for 5,000 tons of affordable raw materials have been completed. This is expected to supply approximately 1.25 billion plastic bags, which will be gradually distributed to the market starting this week.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated in a press release that this affordable project is a collaboration between CPC and domestic manufacturers. By providing affordable polyethylene raw materials to plastic bag processors, the materials will be supplied to channels, commercial districts, and markets to stabilize the supply of daily necessities.
To understand the supply and demand situation on the front line, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin visited the East Sanshui Market and Wanhua commercial district on April 3, and held forums with representatives from 30 commercial districts and 31 markets/night markets on April 7 and 9, respectively, to understand the actual needs and suggestions of businesses regarding supply speed, price fluctuations, and short-term adjustments.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that in the first round of inventorying 350 commercial districts and 1,033 markets nationwide, 27 commercial districts and 7 markets raised demands for supply adjustments, all of which have been assisted. For example, the Chiayi City commercial district's feedback on channel shortages has been replenished; the shortage of tea bags in the Pinglin commercial district has recovered; and the supply of special specification garment bags in the Kaohsiung Houyi commercial district has also confirmed that upstream raw materials are sufficient.
Regarding markets, the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that demands from Tainan Xuejia, Lienchiang Jieshou, Kinmen Jinhu Market, and Kaohsiung Xifeng Street stall area have been assisted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs in matching manufacturers for supply. Other commercial districts and markets have returned to their original procurement channels, indicating that the overall supply chain operation is stabilizing.
Regarding channels, the Ministry of Economic Affairs pointed out that retail channels such as Xiaobei Department Store and Zhenyu Hardware will gradually replenish their stock starting this week. Mass merchandisers, convenience stores, and supermarkets currently have sufficient inventory of related products. As of April 10, the overall demand was approximately 310,000 packs, and supply matching is ongoing.
Regarding public concerns about the increase in petrochemical raw material exports, the Ministry of Economic Affairs explained that the increase in exports in March mainly reflected orders received during the Lunar New Year period in February, and overall sales are still within a reasonable range. It has also coordinated with petrochemical companies to prioritize domestic market supply, and exports are expected to decrease in April.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs emphasized that in the face of international changes, it will continue to ensure the demand for medical materials, agriculture, and daily necessities through cross-ministerial collaboration and industry adjustment mechanisms, and will cooperate with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to ensure the supply of medicines and medical materials. It will also continuously review supply and demand situations to maintain market stability. (Editor: Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150413
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(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Yun-ting, Taipei, April 13) The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced today that it launched an affordable plastic bag project in April to address the impact of the Middle East situation on petrochemical raw material supply. With CPC's No. 4 naphtha cracker starting early on April 1 and increasing ethylene production capacity, contracts for 5,000 tons of affordable raw materials have been completed. This is expected to supply approximately 1.25 billion plastic bags, which will be gradually distributed to the market starting this week.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated in a press release that this affordable project is a collaboration between CPC and domestic manufacturers. By providing affordable polyethylene raw materials to plastic bag processors, the materials will be supplied to channels, commercial districts, and markets to stabilize the supply of daily necessities.
To understand the supply and demand situation on the front line, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin visited the East Sanshui Market and Wanhua commercial district on April 3, and held forums with representatives from 30 commercial districts and 31 markets/night markets on April 7 and 9, respectively, to understand the actual needs and suggestions of businesses regarding supply speed, price fluctuations, and short-term adjustments.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that in the first round of inventorying 350 commercial districts and 1,033 markets nationwide, 27 commercial districts and 7 markets raised demands for supply adjustments, all of which have been assisted. For example, the Chiayi City commercial district's feedback on channel shortages has been replenished; the shortage of tea bags in the Pinglin commercial district has recovered; and the supply of special specification garment bags in the Kaohsiung Houyi commercial district has also confirmed that upstream raw materials are sufficient.
Regarding markets, the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that demands from Tainan Xuejia, Lienchiang Jieshou, Kinmen Jinhu Market, and Kaohsiung Xifeng Street stall area have been assisted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs in matching manufacturers for supply. Other commercial districts and markets have returned to their original procurement channels, indicating that the overall supply chain operation is stabilizing.
Regarding channels, the Ministry of Economic Affairs pointed out that retail channels such as Xiaobei Department Store and Zhenyu Hardware will gradually replenish their stock starting this week. Mass merchandisers, convenience stores, and supermarkets currently have sufficient inventory of related products. As of April 10, the overall demand was approximately 310,000 packs, and supply matching is ongoing.
Regarding public concerns about the increase in petrochemical raw material exports, the Ministry of Economic Affairs explained that the increase in exports in March mainly reflected orders received during the Lunar New Year period in February, and overall sales are still within a reasonable range. It has also coordinated with petrochemical companies to prioritize domestic market supply, and exports are expected to decrease in April.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs emphasized that in the face of international changes, it will continue to ensure the demand for medical materials, agriculture, and daily necessities through cross-ministerial collaboration and industry adjustment mechanisms, and will cooperate with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to ensure the supply of medicines and medical materials. It will also continuously review supply and demand situations to maintain market stability. (Editor: Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150413
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
FAQ
Why did the Ministry of Economic Affairs launch the affordable plastic bag project?
The Ministry of Economic Affairs launched this project to address the impact of the Middle East situation on the supply of petrochemical raw materials.
How many plastic bags are expected to be supplied through this project?
Contracts for 5,000 tons of raw materials have been completed, which is expected to supply approximately 1.25 billion plastic bags.