Imports into Eastern Europe were particularly strong. Imports into Asia-Pacific also increased, despite China’s import ban. Expanded trade within Western Europe, Eastern Europe and North America were also factors in the increase.
Continue readingRussia’s PE and PP Exports Soar in 2020; LPG Exports Drop
SIBUR’s addition of new polyolefins capacity in western Siberia was reflected in Russia’s export figures for 2020 which set new record highs for HDPE, LLDPE and PP. As a result, Russia exported substantially lower volumes of liquefied propane gas, which is used as a feedstock in the new plant.
Continue readingMEG Exports From Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE as of October, 2020 are Down from Last Year; Iran Shipped Higher Volumes
Competing shipments from North America impacted MEG exporters in the Middle East.
Continue readingRecent Trends in Styrene Exports from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
Both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia exported more styrene through October, 2020, versus the same period last year, but Kuwait’s shipments to China increased while Saudi exports to that destination showed a decline.
Continue readingChina Ships Record Volumes of Fabricated Plastic Products Yearend 2020, on Pandemic-Related Demand
China manufactures countless plastic products. Trade in some of these products can be identified by specific polymers while other products are made from a number of polymers and fall into groups defined by end uses. Exports of these products combined totaled 13.9 million tons in 2020, up 10% from 2019. The pandemic created strong demand for PPP related products, packaging, household items and builders’ materials.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Ethylene Polymers Were up 11% in 2020, to 21.3 M Tons, Although Volume Slowed in the Fourth Quarter
Imports of HDPE were 9.1 million tons in 2020, up 14% from the prior year; linear polymer as EAOC, 6.7 million tons, up 17%; LDPE, 3.4 million tons, down 1%; and EVA, 1.0 million tons, down 3%. Much higher volumes from North America and Eastern Europe and little growth in supplies from the Middle East were striking trends.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Polypropylene Jumped 25% in 2020, to 6.8 M Tons
Higher volumes were imported from Asia-Pacific, 4.9 million tons, up 24%, the Middle East, 1.4 million tons, up 26%, as well as all other regions. Average prices soared from August through December, reaching $1190/ton.
Continue readingKorea’s Polyethylene Exports Down in November and December, on Lower Demand from China
Korea exported record volumes of polyethylene for most of 2020, but shipments dropped toward yearend on much lower volumes to China.
Continue readingNew High on LNG Exports from the United States in November, 2020, China a Factor
US exports slowed during the second quarter of 2020, hovered at a low around 2 million tons per month from June through August, then climbed sharply, to over 6 million tons in November.
Continue readingBrazil’s Polymer Trade Sets Multiple Records in 4Qtr 2020
Imports of polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and PET all hit new highs during the fourth quarter of 2020, as did imports of film and sheet made from PP, PVC and PET, and even imports of recyclable PVC and PET polymer. Exports during the period, particularly of polyethylene and polypropylene, were at their lowest levels in over five years.
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