South Korea exported relatively high volumes of ABS, polystyrene and polypropylene in March 2011, China, Iran and Russia key markets. 

Exports from South Korea of ABS and non-expandable polystyrene were relatively high in March, China the top destination for both. Exports of expandable polystyrene also were heavy, Iran and Russia the highest volume destinations. YTD through the first quarter, South Korea exported 336 K tons of ABS, up 5%; 56 K tons of non-expandable PS, up 35%; and 34 K tons of expandable PS, up 48%.

Exports of polypropylene homopolymer also were strong in March, largely on China trade, although shipments YTD of 190 K tons were off 3%. Exports of propylene copolymers totaled 334 K tons, down 6%.

March shipments of LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PVC and PET were at usual levels. Export totals for the first quarter were fairly similar to last year, with percentage variations ranging from -3%  to + 5%, except for LDPE, which was down substantially. South Korea’s first quarter exports totaled: LDPE, 56 K tons, down 16%; LLDPE, 131 K tons, up 2%; HDPE, 268 K tons, down 3%; PVC, 149 K tons, up 5%; PET, 299 K tons, down 2%. China was the top destination for each of these polymers except PVC, the largest volumes of which were shipped to India, and PET, which had Russia and Vietnam as leading destinations.

[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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