Global trade in both non-expandable (general purpose) polystyrene and expandable polystyrene contracted by 3% in 2013, noting declines also in 2012. ITP measured 3.5 million tons of PSN trade and 2.1 million tons of PSX. Styrene monomer trade grew 7%, to 10.9 million tons. Trends in global trade volume for widely traded products are an indicator of global demand. Continue reading
Global PVC Trade Expands in 2013; Trade in EDC and VCM Also Grows
Global trade in PVC expanded by 6% in 2013. Trade in EDC grew 10%; VCM, 7%. Trends in global trade volume for widely traded products are an indicator of global demand. Continue reading
Global Polypropylene Trade Contracts in 2013
Global trade in both polypropylene homopolymer and propylene copolymers contracted by 1% in 2013. Trends in global trade volume for widely traded products are an indicator of global demand. Continue reading
Global Trade Growth in Polyethylene Slows in 2013
Growth rates of global trade in LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE in 2013 were down from the prior year. Trends in global trade volume for widely traded products are an indicator of global demand. Continue reading
China’s imports of polyethylene were up 42% through February 2014, to 1.9 million tons
Despite a drop in import volumes in February due to the New Year holiday, China’s imports year to date of all the polyethylene grades were up by 39% to 63%. Continue reading
All-time Record High Imports of MEG and Propylene Monomer into China in January 2014
The highest ever monthly import volumes of mono-ethylene glycol and propylene monomer entered China in January 2014. Imports of ethylene monomer were just below record levels set earlier. Continue reading
All-time Record High Polyolefin Imports into China in January 2014
The highest import volumes ever recorded for China were in January 2014 for LDPE, HDPE, and polypropylene homo-polymer. Continue reading
US Exports of PVC in 2013
The US is the world’s largest PVC exporter and shipments of uncompounded PVC increased each year from 2009 through 2012. But, in 2013, exports were down from the prior year. Continue reading
US Imports and Exports of PET in 2013
The US imports large volumes of PET, but exports have been declining for several years. Continue reading
US Exports of Polypropylene and Propylene Copolymers in 2013
United States exports of polypropylene homopolymer have been on a downward trend since 2009. Part of that that decline, however, has been offset by increased shipments of propylene copolymers. Continue reading