Weak demand was apparent from the reduced volumes of PSN, ABS, SAN and styrene traded globally in 2011. PSX trade volume expanded, but at a slower rate than in 2010.
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Category Archives: Trade Trends
Mixed Trends for Polyolefins Trade in 2011
Trends in global polyolefins trade volume in 2011 were mixed: up 3%-5% for LDPE, HDPE, polypropylene and propylene copolymers; up 14% for ethylene copolymers; and down 1% for LLDPE and 3% for EVA. Continue reading
China’s Scrap Polymer Imports are Large and Growing
Imports into China of scrap and waste commodity polymers are large, growing, and should be considered along with imports of virgin polymer in analyzing China’s demand. Continue reading
Trends in Ethylene and Propylene Monomer Global Trade in 2011 – Preliminary
Preliminary data showed an increase in ethylene monomer global trade volume in 2011 from the prior year but decreased propylene monomer trade. Much higher exports of both monomers were evident from the Middle East; much higher exports of ethylene were seen from North America. Continue reading
Trade in Polyacetals, Polycarbonates and PET Global Trade in 2011 – Preliminary
Preliminary data for trade in 2011 shows: no change in polyacetals global trade volume from the prior year; small declines in polycarbonates and PET global volume; widely differing regional import and export trends. Continue reading
Trends in Vinyls Trade in 2011 – Preliminary
Preliminary overview of vinyls trade in 2011: Latin America and Africa were high growth import markets for PVC; North America’s PVC exports increased for the sixth straight year; EDC global trade slowed; VCM trade expanded slightly. Continue reading
Trends in Polyolefins Trade in 2011 – Preliminary
Preliminary overview of polyolefins trade in 2011: increased global trade volume in all polyolefins, except LLDPE and EVA; higher Middle East exports of PE and PP, and, especially, copolymers; generally lower exports from Western Europe and North America. Continue reading
Trends in Styrenics Trade in 2011 – Preliminary
Preliminary overview of styrenics trade in 2011: lower global trade volume in ABS, SAN, non-expandable polystyrene and styrene; moderately higher expandable polystyrene volume; much higher Asia-Pacific exports of polystyrene and SAN to Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Continue reading
Key Aspects of China’s Polymer Trade
China imported 18.1 million tons of virgin commodity polymers in 2011, down 2%; exported 2.7 million tons of virgin commodity polymers, up 38%; imported 8.4 million tons of scrap commodity polymers, up 5%; and, exported 6.2 million tons of specific fabricated polymer products, up 8%. Continue reading
New Perspective on China’s Polymer Trade
In 2011, China will import approximately 18 million tons of virgin commodity polymers, plus 8 million tons of scrap and waste polymer. China will export 3 million tons of virgin commodity polymers and more than 3.5 million tons of specific fabricated plastics products identified by polymer, plus 2.5 million tons of fabricated product groups of mixed polymers. These important trade flows are covered in a new report. Continue reading