Monthly Archives: July 2013

US Benzene Imports Up 31%, Japan the Second Largest Supplier

US benzene imports trended higher in both April and May of 2013 and totaled 873,000 tons May YTD, up 31%.

There were relatively modest increases in volumes from three of the US’s top four suppliers: South Korea, up 7%, Canada, up 2%, and Brazil, up 14%.

Imports from Japan of 145,000 tons through May, however, were up 490% from small volumes early last year, moving that country into second place among US suppliers, behind South Korea.

Profound Changes in China’s Commodity Polymer Trade

Historically low imports of recycle polymers, heavy imports of virgin HDPE, record high exports of PET, and, a strong upward trend in exports of fabricated plastic products were features of China’s trade in the first half of 2013. Continue reading