US exports of recyclable polymers fell from nearly 2 million tons in 2016 to 624,000 tons in 2020. The rate of decline slowed from 2018 through 2020 but new US government initiatives to cut greenhouse gases and reduce plastic waste may have an impact.
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China’s PVC Exports Surge to a New Record
China’s exports of uncompounded PVC in March 2021 hit a monthly record of 235,000 tons, with volume for the first quarter, 520,000 tons, up 233% from the same period in 2020.
Continue readingMassive Increase in China’s Polypropylene Exports in March
China exported 245,000 tons of polypropylene homopolymer in March, 2021, roughly ten times the volume exported in prior months.
Continue readingUS Imports of Bottle-Grade PET Soar
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.
Continue readingTight Supplies of PVC Lead to Record Prices on US Exports
The average price on US exports of PVC has doubled between June 2020 and January 2021 and further increases are expected in the wake of weather-related outages in February.
Continue readingUS Polyethylene Exports Rebounded in December and January, but the Upward Trend ends in February
US exports of polyethylene slumped from August through October 2020 in the aftermath of several hurricanes, then climbed back to record territory in December. Exports to China in January were up more than double from the prior January.
Continue readingThe Volume of Recyclable PE Traded Globally in 2020 Rose by 9% From the Prior Year, to 2.8 Million tons.
Imports into Eastern Europe were particularly strong. Imports into Asia-Pacific also increased, despite China’s import ban. Expanded trade within Western Europe, Eastern Europe and North America were also factors in the increase.
Continue readingRussia’s PE and PP Exports Soar in 2020; LPG Exports Drop
SIBUR’s addition of new polyolefins capacity in western Siberia was reflected in Russia’s export figures for 2020 which set new record highs for HDPE, LLDPE and PP. As a result, Russia exported substantially lower volumes of liquefied propane gas, which is used as a feedstock in the new plant.
Continue readingMEG Exports From Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE as of October, 2020 are Down from Last Year; Iran Shipped Higher Volumes
Competing shipments from North America impacted MEG exporters in the Middle East.
Continue readingRecent Trends in Styrene Exports from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
Both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia exported more styrene through October, 2020, versus the same period last year, but Kuwait’s shipments to China increased while Saudi exports to that destination showed a decline.
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