Much higher imports of polyethylene and styrenic polymers, reduced polymer imports from the US, no imports of recycle polymers, and, record high exports of fabricated plastic products characterized China’s trade in 2018.
Continue readingUS Exports of HDPE Hit New High
US exports of HDPE have trended higher through most of 2018, with volume of 2.1 million tons through October up 21% from the same period in 2017. A record 259,000 tons were shipped in the month of October.
Shipments increased to every region except the Middle East, with the largest percentage gains on exports to Western Europe and Asia Pacific.
Continue readingRegional Shifts in US Exports of Linear Low Density Polyethylene
Two main factors – the startup of new capacity plus tariffs on exports to China – have resulted in large regional shifts in US exports of linear PE. Exports have increased to all regions but especially to Western and Eastern Europe, and combined shipments to those regions now exceed those to Asia-Pacific.
Global Trade in Recycle Polyethylene Down 31% in 2018
Based on latest available statistics, ITP projects a volume of 3.2 million tons of recycle polyethylene traded globally in 2018. This is a decline of 31%, or 1.4 million tons, from 2017. Exports out of Western Europe and North America were particularly impacted, although shipments from all regions were down.
Global LNG Trade Projected Up 14% in 2018
A 14% increase in global LNG trade in 2018, to 318 million tons of imports and exports, is forecast by ITP based on the latest available statistics. This follows an 8% increase in global trade in 2017 versus 2016.
China’s LNG Imports Soar to a New Record in November, as Prices Rise
China imported a record 6 million tons of LNG during November 2018, raising the year to date import volume to 47.6 million tons, an increase of 43% from the same period in 2017.
Phenol Global Trade Volume Projected Up 7% in 2018
Higher phenol exports from new capacity in Saudi Arabia was one factor in the 7% increase in global trade volume, to 3.0 million tons, projected for 2018.
US Exports of LNG up 54% Through October, 2018; Imports Continue Trending Lower
The United States exported 18.4 million tons of LNG through October 2018, up 54%, and imported 2 million tons, down 10%. Continue reading
China’s Imports of Polyethylene from US Slow in October
China imported 39,000 tons of ethylene polymers from the US in October 2018, down from a monthly high of 102,000 tons in August.
US Imports of Propylene Polymers Climb as Exports Drop
The US imported 577,000 tons of propylene polymers through October, 2018, up 39% from the same period in 2017. US exports of these polymers were down 13% through October, to 1.5 million tons.