The volume of caustic soda in aqueous solution traded globally has stayed fairly steady, around 20.5 million tons per year, over the last five years, but there has been a huge change in exports out of Asia-Pacific to other regions.
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Vietnam is a Major Importer of Many Polymers, Chemicals and Related Products
Polyolefins, PTA, liquefied propane gas, soda ash, PVC, MEG, PET and methanol were leading imports, with sizable volumes also of recyclable PE, ABS, polycarbonates and caustic soda.
Continue readingExpansion in Iran’s Exports of Liquefied Gases and Chemicals
Iran is a major exporter of liquefied gases and chemicals and the country’s shipments of these products have risen dramatically over the last five years.
Continue readingChina’s Commodity Polymer Trade February 2023 YTD
China’s imports through February 2023 of polyethylene, China’s largest commodity polymer import, showed no change versus February 2022 YTD. Imports of polypropylene posted a moderate increase. On the export side, however, China shipped substantially more of each major commodity polymer than in the same period in 2022.
Continue readingThe United States Exceeds Iran in Exports of Polyethylene To China
From November 2022 through January 2023, the US shipped more polyethylene (all grades combined) to China than did Iran.
Continue readingUS Exports of Polyethylene and PVC Both Soared to New Highs in January 2023
US exports, very strong in the fourth quarter of 2022, set new records in January, 2023.
Continue readingMajor Expansion in US Exports of Polyethylene in 2022
The US exported 11. 4 million tons of ethylene polymers in 2022, up 24% from the prior year. Shipments increased to every world region and nearly every country.
Continue readingEU Debates Possible Ban on Imports of Synthetic Rubber from Russia
Although not definite, a ban on imports of synthetic rubber from Russia is being discussed by the EU. If enacted, this could impact EU imports of butadiene, isoprene and styrene-butadiene rubber.
Continue readingRussia’s Polymer Imports/Exports in 2022
Although Russia stopped publishing trade statistics soon after invading Ukraine, the country’s trade is visible in large part from the statistics of trading partners. These show lower imports and exports of several key polymers in 2022.
Continue readingTrends in Polypropylene Exports and Imports by Region from 2018 to 2022
Strong growth in exports of polypropylene out of the Middle East, and, in 2021 and 2022, also out of Asia-Pacific, were prominent trends in a comparison of regional exports from 2018 through 2022. Imports were mixed but generally increased into Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America over the period.
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