In advance of the Chinese New Year holiday beginning on February 5th, China’s imports of many products jumped to new highs in January.
Continue readingPE Imports from US into Western Europe Displace Polymer from other Regions
An increase by over 70% in imports from the US in 2018 resulted in lower imports into Western Europe from the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
Continue readingTrends in Western Europe’s Trade in Ethylene
Western Europe moved into first place in 2018 as the world’s largest exporter of ethylene monomer, ahead of the Middle East, North America and Latin America.
Continue readingTrends in Western Europe’s Trade in Propylene
The balanced nature of the propylene market in Western Europe in 2018 was evident in the region’s trade, with intra-regional trade up slightly from the prior year and declines on both imports and exports.
Continue readingTrends in Western Europe’s Trade in Butadiene
Western Europe is the world’s largest exporter of butadiene, shipping nearly 500,000 tons in 2018, up 14% partly on a jump in exports to North America.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Olefins from the United States
On August 23rd, 2018, China imposed a 25% duty on imports of ethylene, propylene and butadiene from the US. China imports relatively small volumes of propylene and butadiene from the US. Imports of ethylene, however, are sizable and volumes slowed in the fourth quarter, impacted by the duty.
Continue readingUS-China Trade War Update
The March 1 deadline for an increase from 10% to 25% in tariffs by the US on $200 Billion of imports from China has been postponed, but tariffs on many polymers and chemicals put in place earlier by both countries remain.
Continue readingBrazil’s Polymer Trade in 2018
Brazil imported 1.9 million tons of commodity polymers in 2018, up 11%. Exports were smaller, 1.6 million tons, and fell by 17%. Trade in recycle polymers was minor, noting a sharp drop in exports. Fabricated plastic product imports totaled 173,000 tons, up 9%; exports were 133,000 tons, up 3%.
Continue readingThailand’s Polymer Trade in 2018
Thailand exported 5.4 million tons of commodity polymers in 2018, up 16% from 2017. The country became an important new market for recycle polymers, imports of which nearly quadrupled in 2018, to 553,000 tons. Sizable volumes of fabricated plastic products, 663,000 tons, up 8%, were exported to Asia-Pacific and North America.
Continue readingIran’s Polymer Trade in 2018
Iran exported 3.6 million tons of commodity polymers in 2018, down 5% from the prior year. Imports were 198,000 tons, down 42%. Shipments of fabricated plastic products jumped 35%, to 224,000 tons.
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