PET and PVC are China’s largest commodity polymer exports but shipments of both were down substantially in 2015 versus 2014.
Category Archives: Trade Trends
China Was A High Growth Import Market in 2015 for Benzene, Isopropanol, Cumene, P-Xylene, Methanol and VCM
China’s imports of these basic chemicals increased by 15% to 100% in 2015 versus 2014.
Major Trends in P-Xylene Global Trade in 2015
The volume of p-xylene traded globally in 2015 was up 8% from 2014, indicating a significant increase in global demand. A strong expansion of trade within the Asia-Pacific region, lower imports into the region, much higher imports into North America and reduced exports were prominent trends during the year.
Major Trends in Methanol Global Trade in 2015
The volume of methanol traded globally in 2015 was unchanged from 2014, indicating no increase in global demand. Much higher exports from the Middle East to Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America were prominent trends during the year.
China Imported Less Recycle Polymers in 2015
China imported 7.4 million tons of recycle polymer in 2015, down 11% from 2014. This compared with a 5% increase in imports in 2014 versus 2013, and an 11% decline also in 2013, the year stricter pollution controls went into effect.
China’s Polymer Exports Fell in 2015
China exported 4.1 million tons of polymers in 2015, down 10% from the prior year. PET was the largest volume polymer export, followed by PVC, both down from 2014. Exports of polyethylene increased.
China’s Fabricated Plastic Products Exports Surge
China’s exports of fabricated plastic products surged in December 2015 and ended the year up 6% from 2014. Exports of several large-volume fabricated products set new record highs.
China’s Polyolefins Trade in 2015
China ended 2015 with imports of polyolefins up 10% from 2014. Imports of HDPE and EVA were particularly strong, up 12% and 27%, respectively. In addition to higher volumes from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, supplies from North America and Latin America rose sharply.
India: Strong Import Market for Many Polymers and Chemicals
In contrast to trends in China, India’s imports of many basic chemicals and polymers posted large percentage increases through the third quarter of 2015 versus the same period in 2014. Continue reading
Unusually Low Imports of Recycle Polymer into China
China’s imports of both virgin and recycle polymers tend to slow during the month of October because of the national holiday. In October 2015, however, imports of virgin polymers eased only slightly while imports of recycle polymer plummeted, sharply lower prices on virgin material making recycle polymer less competitive. Continue reading