China exported 25,000 tons of polypropylene homopolymer in April, 2016, the highest monthly volume on record. Continue reading
Recent Trends in Propylene Monomer Trade
Much higher propylene monomer exports from both North America and Western Europe to Latin America were among the trends visible in global propylene trade through March, 2016.
US Exports of Ethylene
After more than a year of inactivity, the United States began exporting ethylene in May, 2015, and shipments since then have averaged roughly 15,000 tons per month.
Impact on Western Europe of Reduced PVC Supplies from Mexico
The April 20, 2016 blast at the Petroquimica Mexicana de Vinilo plant at Coatzacoalcos, Mexico is expected to reduce Mexico’s exports of PVC, which go mainly to Western Europe.
China’s Commodity Polymer Trade Rebounds
March 2016 statistics show a rebound in China’s imports of both virgin and recycle commodity polymers. China’s exports of commodity polymers hit a record high.
Benzene Global Trade Trends
Over 9 million tons of benzene were traded globally in 2015, up 16% from 2014. Prominent regional trends during the year included: higher Asia-Pacific exports and also expanded trade within that region; increased imports into North America; increased imports into Western Europe; and, in the Middle East sharply higher trade, both imports and exports, with imports exceeding exports. Early data for 2016 indicates a continuation of these trends.
Polypropylene Global Trade Trends
The volume of polypropylene homopolymer traded globally in 2015 was 17.3 million tons, up 3% from 2014. Imports into Asia-Pacific were unchanged from the prior year. Western Europe’s imports rose 21%; North America’s, 42%, but on small volumes. Data available to date for 2016 indicates a continuation of these trends.
Propylene Copolymers Global Trade Trends
Large volumes of both propylene copolymers and polypropylene homopolymer are traded globally. In 2015, propylene copolymer trade totaled 8.4 million tons, up 5%. This compared with 17.3 million tons of polypropylene homopolymer trade, up 3%.
Trends in North America’s Exports of Polyethylene
North America’s exports in 2015 versus 2014 were up by 10%-12% for LDPE and LLDPE, and by 32% for HDPE. Data through February 2016 indicates even higher percentage increases compared with the prior year. Imports of all three grades into the region were small and declined in 2015.
US Methanol Exports Set New Record Early in 2016
There has been an upward trend in United States exports of methanol for several months with shipments in both January and February 2016 at new record levels. Continue reading