Imports of propylene polymers, styrenic polymers, PVC and PET all hit new highs in July on strong demand and tight supplies. Imports of ethylene polymers also surged. Hurricane Ida’s recent impact on US production capability is expected to further aggravate domestic supplies, especially for PVC and styrenics, increasing imports and reducing exports.
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US Imports of Propylene Polymers Reached a New High in June 2021. Exports Continued Low. Prices Soared.
The US imported 373,000 tons of PP homopolymer, copolymer and PIB through June 2021, up 70% from the same period in 2020. Exports over the period were 923,000 tons, down 8%.
Continue readingHDPE Global Trade Volume Was Down 8% in the First Half of 2021; Trade in Linear Polymer was off 3%.
These regional trends were the same for both polymers: lower imports into Western and Eastern Europe and, with the biggest impact on global trade volumes, Asia-Pacific; increased imports into the smaller markets of Africa and Latin America; reduced exports from North America; mixed trends for Middle East exports; higher exports from Asia-Pacific.
Continue readingIndia’s Imports of Commodity Polymers Hit a New High in April 2021; Exports Remain Low
The surge in imports in April continued an upward trend visible since the last half of 2020.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Commodity Polymers Through June 2021 Were Down 11% From the First Half of 2020; Exports Jumped 87%.
After a brief spike in March following the Chinese New Year, imports into China trended downward, a different trend than had been seen over the last three years. Also unusual were exports out of China, which began rising toward the end of 2020 and soared to unprecedented levels in the first half of 2021.
Continue readingHuge Increases in Brazil’s Imports of Polyethylene, Polypropylene and PVC Through June 2021
Brazil’s imports soared to record levels in the last half of 2020 and continued there through June of 2021. Exports during the period fell to record lows.
Continue reading2.2 Million Tons of Ethylene Trade Was Added Globally From 2010 – 2019, but was Followed in 2020 by a Sharp Contraction.
The volume of ethylene traded globally rose from 5.8 million tons in 2010 to a high of 8 million tons in 2019, then slowed to 7.4 million tons in 2020 because of the pandemic. Regional trade flows shifted dramatically during that period.
Continue readingUS Exports of Linear and High Density Polyethylene Picked up in May 2021, from Their April Lowest Level in Over Two Years.
Belgium, Brazil, Mexico and China were among the top five destinations. Average prices continued their upward climb.
Continue readingUnprecedented Rise in China’s Exports of PE and PP from March 2021.
While larger volume imports remain depressed, China’s exports of PE and PP soared from March through May.
Continue readingUS Exports of Ethylene Polymers in April 2021 Fell to Their Lowest Level in More Than Two Years, While Prices Rose to Levels not Seen Since 2018.
The US exported 3.36 million tons through April, down 11%. Reduced shipments of HDPE and ethylene alpha olefins copolymers were not offset by higher volumes of conventional high pressure LDPE and EVA. Average prices soared on reduced supply and strong demand.
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