Iran exports huge volumes of several polymers and chemicals; imports of numerous products also large

Iran is among the world’s top exporters of ethylene glycol, methanol, para-xylene, LDPE, HDPE, polypropylene and styrene.  Continue reading

Phenol World Trade Survery of Major Trends August 2014 YTD

Prominent trends year to date included: reduced intra-regional trade in Asia-Pacific and lower imports into the region from North America and Western Europe but higher volumes from Latin America;  a continued downward trend for exports from North America.
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Acetone World Trade Survery of Major Trends July 2014 YTD

Much higher imports into and also exports from the United States, increased imports into Western Europe from Eastern Europe and Africa, and continued declines on imports into China were prominent trends in the world’s trade in acetone through July 2014. Continue reading

Methanol World Trade Survery of Major Trends July 2014 YTD

Prominent trends year to date included lower Middle East exports to Asia-Pacific but a shift to higher volumes to Western Europe; increased imports into Western Europe also from Eastern Europe and Latin America; a strong upward trend in imports into China from April through July. Continue reading

Paraxylene World Trade Survey of Major Trends July 2014 YTD

Prominent trends year to date included increased exports of paraxylene from both the Middle East and Western Europe to Asia-Pacific; much lower exports from North America to Asia-Pacific but increased volumes to Latin America. Continue reading

China’s PET exports total 1.4 million tons through July 2014, up 21% on big gains to Japan, Russia, US, India and others

China exported PET at record levels from March through May of 2014, shipments easing moderately in June and July. Nearly all of this was bottle-grade polymer. After falling for several months, the average export price picked up slightly in July, to $1267/ton. Continue reading