Africa, in addition to Latin America, is an increasingly important market for polyethylene exporters, particularly those in the Middle East, as demand in Europe and Asia eases. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: July 2015
Latin America’s Polyethylene Import Trends
The Latin American import market for polyethylene has become increasingly important to exporters worldwide as demand in the region is expected to grow rapidly but capacity expansions are limited.
Focus on: UAE Exports of Polyethylene and Polypropylene
The United Arab Emirates’ exports of polyethylene and polypropylene increased substantially in 2014, and shipments grew through the first half of 2015.
Focus on: China’s Chemical Trade in the First Half of 2015
There were spectacular increases on imports of several large volume chemicals and polymers into China in the first half of 2015, and declines on others.
Propylene Copolymers: Current Global Trade Trends
The volume of propylene copolymers traded globally, 3.2 million tons, was up 8% through May, 2015 from the prior year, based on reporting countries. (This compares with a 3% increase in exports of polypropylene homopolymer for the period.) Shipments increased from each of the top four exporting regions: Western Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and North America. Exports from the Middle East had the highest percentage increase.
Polypropylene: Current Global Trade Trends
The volume of polypropylene homopolymer traded globally, 6.1 million tons, was up 3% through May 2015 versus the prior year. Shipments from the Middle East and Western Europe were up; North America’s contracted slightly; exports from Eastern Europe jumped by over 50%.
EVA: Current Global Trade Trends
A surge in EVA imports into China in recent months was a key factor in the 9% expansion of global trade volume through May, 2015, to 829,000 tons.
LLDPE: Current Global Trade Trends
The volume of LLDPE polymer traded globally, 3.7 million tons, was unchanged through May 2015 from the prior year, based on reporting countries. Among the top exporting regions, shipments from the Middle East and Western Europe were down slightly; exports from North America were sharply lower.
LDPE: Current Global Trade Trends
The volume of LDPE polymer traded globally, 4.4 million tons, was up 3% through May, 2015, based on reporting countries. Expanded trade within Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and increased imports into Latin America and Eastern Europe were factors in the higher global trade volume. Shipments by two of the top three exporting regions, Middle East and North America, were down, and shipments from Western Europe were unchanged, lower volumes to Asia-Pacific a factor. Continue reading
HDPE: Current Global Trade Trends
The volume of HDPE polymer traded globally, 7.3 million tons, was up 5% through May, 2015, based on reporting countries. Among the top exporting regions, shipments from the Middle East, Western Europe and Asia-Pacific increased; North America’s were down; markets shifted between exporters. Continue reading