Iran shipped much higher volumes of HDPE, LDPE and polypropylene through August 2014 versus the prior year.

HDPE exports totaled 760,000 tons August YTD, up 17% on increased volumes to China, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates and others. Exports of LDPE were 560,000 tons, up 9%, China and Turkey leading growth export destination; UAE also a major market, but with a decline.

Although exports of polypropylene homopolymer were smaller, 110,000 tons YTD, this was an 80% increase from last year. Nearly all of the volume and the gain was attributable to shipments to Turkey.