Monthly Archives: January 2019

US Exports of HDPE Hit New High

US exports of HDPE have trended higher through most of 2018, with volume of 2.1 million tons through October up 21% from the same period in 2017. A record 259,000 tons were shipped in the month of October.

Shipments increased to every region except the Middle East, with the largest percentage gains on exports to Western Europe and Asia Pacific.

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Regional Shifts in US Exports of Linear Low Density Polyethylene

Two main factors – the startup of new capacity plus tariffs on exports to China – have resulted in large regional shifts in US exports of linear PE.  Exports have increased to all regions but especially to Western and Eastern Europe, and combined shipments to those regions now exceed those to Asia-Pacific.

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Global Trade in Recycle Polyethylene Down 31% in 2018

Based on latest available statistics, ITP projects a volume of 3.2 million tons of recycle polyethylene traded globally in 2018. This is a decline of 31%, or 1.4 million tons, from 2017. Exports out of Western Europe and North America were particularly impacted, although shipments from all regions were down.

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China’s LNG Imports Soar to a New Record in November, as Prices Rise

China imported a record 6 million tons of LNG during November 2018, raising the year to date import volume to 47.6 million tons, an increase of 43% from the same period in 2017.

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