As it did in 2009 during the financial crisis, China buttressed the global petrochemical industry with record imports of LLDPE and HDPE during the 2020 pandemic. Volume was heavy from May through October 2020. Much higher imports from North America (US), Eastern Europe (Russia) and other Asia-Pacific, and a drop in imports of LLDPE from the Middle East, were prominent supply changes.
Continue readingDramatic Shifts in Butadiene Trade Flows in 2020
Western Europe’s exports soared as lower domestic demand reduced intra-regional trade flows and imports. Other exporting regions also increased shipments in 2020. Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe saw strong import growth.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Polyethylene Rebound in September; New Record Highs on Imports of HDPE and LDPE
After slowing in July and August, China’s imports of polyethylene rose strongly in September, 2020, and were accompanied by rising prices. Imports of conventional high pressure LDPE and HDPE set new records.
Continue readingMEG and DEG Global Trade Expanded at 5% per Year from 2017 to 2020; North America’s Market Share Climbed Sharply
Monoethylene glycol and diethylene glycol global trade volume has expanded each year from 2017 through 2020, with dramatic changes in trade flows between regions.
Continue readingGrowth in HDPE, LDPE and LLDPE Global Trade Volume
Trade expanded at widely varying rates from 2017 to 2020. HDPE grew at an average annual rate of 6.5%, LDPE at 2.5%, and LLDPE at 14%.
Continue readingWidely Differing Trends in Ethylene and Propylene Monomer Global Trade 2016-2020
Global trade in ethylene and propylene monomer fluctuated over the five-year period, with a sharp downturn in 2020.
Continue readingPolypropylene and Propylene Copolymers Global Trade Grew by over 3.5% per Year from 2016 to 2020
Polypropylene homopolymer global trade volume increased by 3.7% CAGR from 2016 through 2020 (projected). Propylene copolymers trade grew by 3.6% CAGR. For products that are widely traded, such as these polymers, growth in global trade volume generally reflects growth in global demand.
Continue readingSharp Rise in Polycarbonate Film and Sheet Global Trade Projected for 2020, up 22%
Many countries reported record high imports of PC film and sheet from the second quarter of the year, on strong demand for personal protection equipment.
Continue readingUnprecedented Imports of PMMA Film/Sheet Globally
The need for PMMA film and sheet in personal protective equipment resulted in a stunning surge in imports into countries all over the globe during the April – August 2020 period, and also record exports from several.
Continue readingMajor Trends in Recyclable PVC World Trade
The volume of recyclable PVC traded globally has fallen by over 60% over the last five years, from nearly 900,000 tons in 2016 to 340,000 tons projected for year-end 2020.
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