Middle East exports of polypropylene homopolymer have been down since February 2013, with lower shipments to Asia-Pacific, Western and Eastern Europe and Africa. Other trends evident in the first half of the year were expanded trade within the Asia-Pacific region and substantially higher imports into Eastern Europe from other regions. Continue reading
Category Archives: Trade Trends
Robust Expansion in Global Benzene Trade
Benzene trade volume was up 19% through June 2013 versus the prior year. Several key countries reported much higher imports; exports from Thailand, Germany, Japan and others were up sharply. Continue reading
PET Exports from China Soar to a New High
China’s exports of PET polymer, most of which is bottle-grade, reached a new record in July, 2013 of 217,000 tons. Shipments to all world regions increased, with the heaviest volumes exported to Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America. Continue reading
Polyacetals Global Trade Volume Rises
The amount of polyacetals polymer traded globally as imports and exports was particularly heavy from March through June of 2013. Expanded trade within the Asia-Pacific region and substantially higher imports into that region from Western Europe contributed to the rise in volume. Continue reading
Eastern Europe’s Polyethylene Import Sources Shift
Lower imports from the Middle East of LLDPE and HDPE, higher volumes of LDPE, and increased imports of all three polymers from Asia-Pacific were evident in the region through May 2013. Continue reading
Western Europe’s Polyethylene Import Sources Shift
Reduced imports of LLDPE and HDPE from the Middle East and higher volumes of these polymers, and also LDPE from Asia-Pacific were features of Western Europe’s trade May 2013 year to date. Continue reading
Heavy PVC Imports into Russia Continue
Russia imported high volumes of uncompounded PVC through most of the first half of 2013, excluding the harsh winter months of January and February. Continue reading
Sharp Declines in Saudi Arabia’s LLDPE and HDPE Exports to Singapore
Startup of new capacity in Singapore has resulted in much lower PE imports from Saudi Arabia.
United States PE Exports Rise
US exports through June 2013 of LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE each were up 8% to 12% versus the prior year. Continue reading
US Benzene Imports Up 31%, Japan the Second Largest Supplier
US benzene imports trended higher in both April and May of 2013 and totaled 873,000 tons May YTD, up 31%.
There were relatively modest increases in volumes from three of the US’s top four suppliers: South Korea, up 7%, Canada, up 2%, and Brazil, up 14%.
Imports from Japan of 145,000 tons through May, however, were up 490% from small volumes early last year, moving that country into second place among US suppliers, behind South Korea.