China’s imports of most polymers showed moderate declines through July 2011, ranging from down 2% to down 11%. Imports of EVA and propylene copolymers increased. Imports of methanol and ethylene were up sharply.
Moderately lower demand was reflected in lower imports into China of several polymers through July. Percentage declines ranged from down 2% to down 11%, with imports of polyacetals, polycarbonates, LLDPE, polypropylene and expandable polystyrene with relatively small declines and imports of ABS, SAN, HDPE, non-expandable polystyrene and uncompounded PVC toward the more negative end of the range. Imports of LDPE were outside the range, down 21%. Imports of EVA and propylene copolymers showed moderate gains.
Methanol imports were heavy for several months, the YTD total up 20%. Ethylene imports, trending higher since May, were up 18% YTD. Propylene imports surged in July, the YTD total up 3%.
Other large volume imports: styrene, down 8%; MEG, down 2%.
As to the remainder of the year, China’s imports of many products tend to pick up somewhat in August and September, in advance of the nation’s October holiday (a low month for imports) and again in November and December, in advance of the Chinese New Year which will be on January 23rd 2012.
[important]This information is from ITP’s newsletters on global trade in polymers and chemicals, available by subscription monthly or quarterly.[/important]
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