Imports in January 2021 were double what they were in the prior January. Volume trended higher for most of 2020, reaching several new record highs.

The US imported 108,000 tons of bottle-grade PET in January, up 99% from the prior January. Much higher volumes were imported from numerous sources, including Mexico, Taiwan, Canada, Egypt, Vietnam and Pakistan. Average prices were relatively flat over the last several months, around $950/ton.

From International Trader Publications’ US Polymer Trade Report, a monthly publication issued as soon as US statistics are released and analyzing US imports and exports of all polymers of ethylene, propylene, styrene, VCM and PET, including recycle polymer and fabricated plastic products.