The US exported 5.4 million tons of LNG in January 2020, up 99% from January 2019 on much higher volumes to traditional markets, plus shipments to new markets.
Continue readingUnited States Exports of PE Trended Higher in January 2020
After slowing in November, 2019, US exports of ethylene polymers climbed in both December and January 2020. Little impact on volumes and prices from the corona virus is expected in US export statistics for February, with March and following months affected more severely.
Continue readingIncreased PE Imports Into the EU-28 from the US in 2019 Reduced Imports from Saudi Arabia
Imports into the EU from the United States of ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers (EAOC) trended strongly higher in 2018 and 2019, while volumes from Saudi Arabia declined.
Continue readingIran Increases Exports of Polymers in 2019
Exports out of Iran, visible from trading partner imports, were up 23% for ethylene polymers in 2019, 28% for styrenic polymers, and 5% for vinyl polymers. Exports of propylene polymers fell.
Continue readingHuge Increases in Western Europe’s Imports of Ethylene and Propylene in 2019 from North America, Latin America and Middle East
Imports of ethylene into Western Europe increased by over 200% in 2019 versus 2018, and imports of propylene jumped 70%, based on latest statistics from reporting countries.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Ethylene Polymers were up 19% in 2019; Imports of Propylene Polymers were up 9%.
Small Drop in China’s Tariffs on Polymer Imports from US
As of February 14, 2020, China will knock 2.5% off the punitive tariffs applied on imports of many polymers from the US. Most of the tariffs have been in effect since 2018.
Continue readingChina’s Ban on Plastic Bags Likely to Impact Imports of Polymers and Exports of PE Bags
By the end of 2020, China will ban plastic bags in major cities and, by 2022, country-wide. China is the world’s largest importer of the polyethylene used to manufacture bags, in addition to producing large volumes of polyethylene domestically. China exports large volumes of polyethylene bags.
Continue readingPhase I of the China – US Trade Agreement Includes Increased Imports into China of LNG, Liquefied Propane and Butane, Caustic Soda and Most Organic and Inorganic Chemicals
During the two-year period from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021, China has agreed to increase by $200 billion purchases from the United States of manufactured goods, agriculture, energy and services.
Continue readingChina Removes Tariffs on Four Specific Grades of Polyolefins from the US, Prior to the Phase I China – US Trade Agreement
China removed the 25% tariff on imports from the US of specific grades of HDPE, linear low density polyethylene, polypropylene and ethylene-propylene copolymers as of December 26, 2019.
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