China’s imports of most polymers and chemical were lower in the first half of 2016 than in the same period in the prior year. Exceptions were imports of: ethylene, EVA, propylene oxide and, especially, methanol. China’s exports of PVC, polypropylene, PTA, VAM and non-expandable polystyene surged. Shipments of polyethylene also were up.

Imports into China were down by 2% to 10% through June 2016 for: ABS, acetone, DEG, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, HDPE, LLDPE, LDPE, propylene copolymers, propylene monomer.

Imports were down by 10% to 50% for: acrylonitrile, benzene, cumene, MEG, o-xylene, polypropylene, PSN, PSX, PTA, PVC.

Imports into China were up by 1% to 8% for: caprolactam, ethylene copolymers, EDC, polyacetals, p-xylene, styrene, VCM.

Imports of methanol jumped 63%, to 4.2 million tons.

The highest percentage gain on exports from China was on polypropylene, which jumped 65%. Other exports with strong gains were PET, PVC, PSN and PTA.

From: International Trader Publications’ World Trade Reports on each product. For a free trial contact ITP@itpweb.com