Korea’s exports of commodity polymers expanded moderately in the first seven months of 2018, as did shipments of fabricated plastic products. Imports rose sharply. Korea exported less recycle polymers but imported more.
Category Archives: Trade Trends
Overview of Brazil’s Commodity Polymer Trade July 2018 YTD
Brazil’s exports of commodity polymers trended downward through most of the first seven months of 2018. Imports were moderately higher; imports of fabricated plastic products rose strongly.
Overview of Iran’s Commodity Polymer Trade July 2018 YTD
In the first seven months of 2018, Iran exported slightly more polyethylene than in the same period in 2017. Exports of polypropylene were lower; exports of styrenic polymers and PVC increased, but volumes were small. Exports of fabricated plastic products reached new highs.
Overview of India’s Commodity Polymer Trade June 2018 YTD
India’s trade in commodity polymers in the first half of 2018 was highlighted by record high exports of virgin polymers, record high exports of fabricated plastic products, and, increased imports of recycle polymers.
Trends in Recycle Polyethylene Trade
Global trade in recycle polyethylene was down 14% through June 2018, the loss of China as an import market partly offset by higher imports into other Asia-Pacific markets and also Turkey.
US Polymer Exports, and, Imports of Fabricated Plastics Hit New Highs
Exports from the US of commodity polymers trended higher through most of the first half of 2018 and set a new record in June. Imports of fabricated plastic products also hit a new high in June.
China’s Polypropylene and ABS Imports up Strongly; PVC Exports were Down
China has reported aggregated statistics for its imports of major products, including polypropylene, ABS and PVC. Continue reading
Polyethylene Trade Trends
Global trade in ethylene polymers expanded by 6% through June 2018, to over 22 million tons based on preliminary data. Most of the increase was accounted for by higher volumes of conventional high pressure PE and ethylene-alpha-olefins copolymers. Continue reading
US Exports of LNG to Rise
If a trade accord between the US and the EU is finalized and the US puts in place more export terminals, LNG exports from the US will rise. Through May 2018, the US exported a total of LNG totaled 9.0 million tons, up 61% from the same period in 2017. Exports have been climbing since early 2016. Korea, Mexico and China were the top three export destinations to date, with relatively small volumes to the EU. Continue reading
China’s Imports of LNG were up 54% Through May 2018
After slowing throughout the first quarter, China’s imports of LNG picked up in both April and May.