Highlights of global trade June 2011 YTD from ITP’s monthly newsletters for polyethylene, polypropylene, propylene copolymers, EVA, PVC and polystyrene are summarized. 

• Polyolefins and EVA – These  summaries of key trends June YTD are from the September issues of ITP’s monthly newsletters on global trade: The Polyethylene Trader, The Polypropylene Trader, The Propylene Copolymers Trader and The EVA Trader.

Representing nearly all of the world’s trade, ITP measured 5.1 million tons of LDPE traded through June, up 3%; 4.2 million tons of LLDPE, up 4%; 7.8 million tons of HDPE, up 6%; 7.3 million tons of polypropylene, up 5%; 3.6 million tons of propylene copolymers, up 6% and 0.8 million tons of EVA, unchanged. ITP’s Yearend 2011 Projections show LLDPE and EVA trade volume down slightly, and gains of 2%-4% for the other polymers. Trends in global trade volume generally reflect trends in demand.

Western Europe’s exports of LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE and polypropylene were down 4%-13%, on much lower exports to Asia-Pacific and, at best, only small gains to Eastern Europe, reflecting competition from the Middle East in both regions. Western Europe’s exports of propylene copolymers rose 3%; EVA, 10%. Western Europe’s LLDPE imports jumped 66% and polypropylene rose 24%, noting heavy volumes from the Middle East.

Imports into Eastern Europe continued strong, volumes up 19% to 32% for LLDPE, HDPE and polypropylene, much higher volumes supplied by the Middle East and, for HDPE, also by Asia-Pacific. Imports of LDPE increased 5%, again noting sharply higher volumes from the Middle East. Eastern Europe’s exports of LDPE were up only 2%, increased shipments to Western Europe largely offset by a steep decline to Asia-Pacific.  Turkey, Russia, Poland and other countries were growth markets.

Lower exports were also apparent for North America, LDPE shipments down 9%, LLDPE down 26%, HDPE down 11% and polypropylene down 3%. Polyethylene exports to Asia-Pacific fell sharply; shipments to Latin America slowed, excluding HDPE, with a gain. North America’s exports of propylene copolymers rose 3%; EVA rose 1%.

Latin America’s imports of polyethylene were up 8%-16%; propylene copolymers, up 7%; polypropylene was unchanged. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru were growth markets for several of the polymer. Brazil’s exports of HDPE, polypropylene and propylene copolymers posted strong gains.

Middle East exports increased 18%-38% for LLDPE, HDPE, polypropylene and propylene copolymers; 5% for LDPE.  Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe were high growth export destinations (excluding Eastern Europe for propylene copolymers). Higher exports of LLDPE also went to Western Europe and Latin America; polypropylene to Western Europe, Africa and Latin America; propylene copolymers to Western Europe.

Asia-Pacific polyethylene imports fell 1% to 14%. Polypropylene imports rose 3%; propylene copolymers, 12%; EVA, 14%. (China’s imports of LLDPE, HDPE and polypropylene were down 5%-8%; LDPE dropped 27%; propylene copolymers and EVA each grew about 4%.)  The Middle East supplied higher volumes of every polymer except EVA, but supplies from nearly all other regions fell. North America was the top source for EVA. Also of note was a 63% jump in Asia-Pacific exports of HDPE, to 436 K tons, Europe and Latin America top growth destinations.

• PVC – The following summary of key trends June YTD is from the September issue of ITP’s monthly newsletter on global trade: The PVC Trader.

Representing nearly all of the world’s trade, ITP measured 5.7 million tons of PVC traded June YTD, up 6%. ITP’s Yearend 2011 Projection shows PVC trade volume ending the year up 2%. Trends in global trade volume generally reflect trends in demand.

Much higher PVC imports into Eastern Europe and Latin America and moderately higher volumes into Western Europe and the Middle East were key features of PVC global trade in the first half of 2011. Russia was a very high growth import market, noting gains also into Turkey, Ukraine and Poland, among others.  In Latin America, imports increased into several countries, especially Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru.

North America’s exports increased 26%, to 1.1 million tons, on gains to Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Partly due to a 122% jump in China’s exports, Asia-Pacific exports were up 17%, to 439 K tons, on higher trade with Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America.  Latin America exported 137 K tons, up 57%, mainly to Europe. Exports from Mexico surged; Colombia’s slowed.

• Polystyrene – The following summary of key trends June YTD is from the September issue of ITP’s monthly newsletter on global trade: The Polystyrene Trader.

Representing nearly all of the world’s trade, ITP measured 1.8 million tons of non-expandable polystyrene traded through June, down 3%, and 1.1 million tons of expandable polystyrene, up 12%.  ITP’s Yearend 2011 Projection shows non-expandable polystyrene trade volume ending the year down 4%; expandable polystyrene, up 3%. Trends in global trade volume generally reflect trends in demand.

A key trend in non-expandable polystyrene was 61% higher Asia-Pacific exports, to 221 K tons, on gains to all regions, especially Western and Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Western Europe’s exports fell 10%; North America’s, 14%.  Turkey, Vietnam and Portugal were among the leading growth import markets.

Expandable polystyrene trade was highlighted by 37% higher Asia-Pacific exports, to 295 K tons, Western and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East leading growth and volume export destinations. Western Europe’s exports rose 4%, mainly on Eastern European trade. Exports from Latin America rose 12%, all to North America. Germany, Poland, Turkey and Russia were among the top volume and growth import markets.

[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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