The volume of ethylene monomer traded as imports and exports in 2016 was 7.1 million tons, up 4% from 2015. Much higher imports into Asia-Pacific from sources outside the region, and also into Western Europe, were key factors on the demand side. (Based on latest available trade statistics.) Continue reading
Category Archives: Trade Trends
US Exports of Polyethylene to Africa
The United States reported exports in 2016 to Africa of 30,000 tons of LDPE/LLDPE, down 14%, and 145,000 tons of HDPE, up 98%.
US Exports of Polyethylene to Asia-Pacific
The United States reported exports of LDPE/LLDPE in 2016 to Asia-Pacific of 300,000 tons, up 11%, and 260,000 tons of HDPE, up 9%.
US Exports of Polyethylene to Latin America
The United States reported exports of LDPE/LLDPE in 2016 to Latin America of 850,000 tons, down 11%, and 1.36 million tons of HDPE, up 8%.
Strong Start to China’s Polymer Trade in January 2017
Although volumes are expected to drop in February, imports in January 2017 of LLDPE, HDPE, EVA, polypropylene, propylene copolymers all were up substantially from January 2016. Imports of recycle PE, PP and also PET posted gains. Shipments of fabricated plastic products remained at record levels for the third month in a row. Continue reading
Nearly 5 million tons of PE Film and Sheet is Traded Globally
Preliminary figures for 2016 indicate a 6% increase in global trade volume in polyethylene film and sheet, to just under 5 million tons.
China’s Ethylene and Propylene Imports Hit New Highs
Both China’s imports of ethylene monomer and propylene monomer soared to new highs in December 2016.
Brazil’s Exports of Commodity Polymers Jumped 28% in 2016; Imports Slowed
Brazil exported nearly 2 million tons of polyolefins, styrenic polymers, vinyl polymers and PET in 2016, up 28% from 2015.
China’s Exports of Fabricated Plastic Products Rose for the 4th Year in a Row
China’s shipments of a wide variety of fabricated plastic products climbed 10% in 2016, to 9.2 million tons, the fourth year in a row of gains.
China’s Imports of Recycle PET Surged in 2016; Recycle PVC also Up
China’s imports of recycle PET climbed through most of 2016, reaching a new high of 277,000 tons in December. The average price picked up slightly towards year end, to $456/ton.