March 2022 was the first full month of trade after the February invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Uncertainty created by the war apparently resulted in higher imports of polypropylene homopolymer into both Eastern Europe and Western Europe in March.
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Ukraine’s Exports Plummet
Ukraine is a sizable exporter of caustic soda, PVC, propylene monomer and polymers of ethylene, among other products. Shipments of all of these dropped sharply in March, the month after Russia’s invasion, and virtually disappeared in April and May.
Continue readingUS Exports of Ethylene Polymers Surged in March, 2022, and Continued High in April
Shipments totaled 3.2 million tons through April, up 5.3% from the same period in 2021, on a big gain to Western Europe and higher volumes to all other regions except Asia-Pacific.
Continue readingChina Commodity Polymer Trade April 2022 Reflected Continued Weak Economic Activity From Covid Lockdowns
Polymer imports in April were almost as low as during Chinese New Year; exports of PVC hit a new high and shipments of PET also remained high; exports of fabricated plastic products continued slow.
Continue readingRussia’s Exports of Polyolefins to Western and Eastern Europe
Russia exports more than twice as much ethylene and propylene polymers to other Eastern European countries than it does to Western Europe. Turkey and Poland are the top two destinations in Eastern Europe. Flows to Poland, other EU countries within Eastern Europe, and the Ukraine are most likely to be affected by the war in Ukraine.
Continue readingImpressive Surge in US Exports of Polyethylene in March, 2022
The United States exported 966,000 tons of ethylene polymers in March, 2022, an increase of 160,000 tons over February. Shipments of every PE grade were up in March. Further increases are likely with startup of new capacity.
Continue readingUS Imports of ABS, SAN, Expandable PS and PET Surged to Record Highs in March, 2022, Despite Continued High Prices
Imports of ABS and PET through first quarter 2022 were roughly 50% higher than during first quarter 2021.
Continue readingChina’s Trade in Commodity Polymers March 2022 YTD
After nearly a year of low volumes, China’s imports of virgin commodity polymers posted a small increase in March. Exports of PVC and PET exports surged. Shipments of fabricated plastic products rebounded modestly after the Chinese New Year slowdown. These flows were likely impacted by Covid-related lockdowns, the effects of which on demand and production are expected to continue for some months to come.
Continue readingChina’s Imports and Exports of Commodity Polymers Dropped With the Start of Chinese New Year on February 1st, but Trends Differed From Prior Periods.
Reflecting both new domestic capacity and weaker domestic demand, imports in February 2022 continued depressed and, unlike prior years, did not show the surge typically seen in the month prior to the national holiday. Exports surged in December, then slowed in January and February.
Continue readingUnited States Exports of Ethylene Polymers in January 2022 Were at Their Highest Level in 10 Months
Despite the rise, shipments were still 20% below the record high volumes exported in January 2021. There was also a marked change in export destinations by region between the two periods.
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