A 3% increase in global trade volume, to nearly 2 million tons, indicated growth in global demand for acetic acid through July 2016. The increase mainly reflected expanded intra-regional trade within Western Europe and Asia-Pacific. Continue reading
China’s Trade June 2016 YTD: Generally Lower Imports; Big Gains on Some Exports
China’s imports of most polymers and chemical were lower in the first half of 2016 than in the same period in the prior year. Exceptions were imports of: ethylene, EVA, propylene oxide and, especially, methanol. China’s exports of PVC, polypropylene, PTA, VAM and non-expandable polystyene surged. Shipments of polyethylene also were up. Continue reading
Saudi Arabia – Butylene Imports
In 2015, several countries reported exports of butylene to Saudi Arabia totaling over 46,000 tons. Through April, 2016, over 44,000 tons have already been shipped to that market.
Recent Trends in Butadiene Trade
Substantially higher butadiene export from Western Europe and Latin America were prominent trade trends through May, 2016.
PP Exports from China at Record Levels
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.