Global Polycarbonates Trade Contracts in 2013

Global trade in polycarbonates contracted by 3% in 2013, after expanding 12% in 2012, much of the decline reflecting lower imports into Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe and lower trade within the Asia-Pacific and Western Europe regions. 

China’s polycarbonates imports in 2013 were unchanged from the prior year but imports into several other markets in the region were down. Asia-Pacific imported less polymer from North America; imports from the Middle East and Western Europe were flat. Eastern Europe imported less polymer from Western Europe. Although the Middle East exported polycarbonates mainly to Asia-Pacific, there were large percentage gains on smaller shipments to Western and Eastern Europe.

(From ITP’s Polycarbonates World Trade Review of 2013)