Iran’s exports of several large volume polymers and chemicals were up sharply in the first half of 2015 versus the prior year.  These products were shipped primarily to just three markets, China, India and Turkey, a situation which will change should sanctions be lifted.

Iran’s largest volume exports June 2015 YTD included: methanol, 2.4 million tons, up 116% from the same period in the prior year; HDPE, 704,000 tons, up 21%; LDPE 543,000 tons, up 50%; and P-xylene, 289,000 tons, up 139%. Note that Iran also exported large volumes  LDPE to UAE.

Iran also greatly increased exports of several smaller volume products in the first half of 2015, including acetic acid, butadiene, benzene, EDC, polypropylene, and uncompounded PVC. Exports of MEG were down slightly.

From: International Trader Publications’ World Trade Reports