US benzene imports trended higher in both April and May of 2013 and totaled 873,000 tons May YTD, up 31%.
There were relatively modest increases in volumes from three of the US’s top four suppliers: South Korea, up 7%, Canada, up 2%, and Brazil, up 14%.
Imports from Japan of 145,000 tons through May, however, were up 490% from small volumes early last year, moving that country into second place among US suppliers, behind South Korea.
Based on April 2013 YTD data, Vietnam ranked among the world’s top ten importers of polypropylene, ABS, general purpose polystyrene, PET and EVA. Continue reading
Historically low imports of recycle polymers, heavy imports of virgin HDPE, record high exports of PET, and, a strong upward trend in exports of fabricated plastic products were features of China’s trade in the first half of 2013. Continue reading
Despite a hard and prolonged winter, Russia’s imports of several polymers climbed in March 2013. Particularly high volumes of uncompounded PVC and ethylene copolymers were imported that month.
China’s imports of recycle polymer plummeted in March 2013 and fell still lower in April, operation “Green Fence” apparently having an impact, especially on imports of recycle polyolefins.
China surprised many again in 2012, importing significantly higher volumes of virgin polyolefins than in 2011, supplementing virgin polymer imports with record high amounts of scrap and waste polymers, and, expanding exports of fabricated plastic products for the fourth year in a row. Continue reading
PVC imports into Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East are projected to be up by 6%-12% in 2012; exports from Western Europe, up 9%; exports from Latin America, up 24%; exports from North America, up 2%. There have been significant shifts in trade flows between regions. Continue reading
Global trade volume is projected to be up 2% for both MEG and DEG in 2012 versus 2011. Robust import demand in Asia-Pacific was offset by declines in Europe and the Americas. For widely traded products, global trade is an indicator of apparent demand. Continue reading
China’s imports of virgin polyolefins picked up in November, with further gains likely in December. Continue reading
Global trade in polycarbonates, which reflects global demand, is projected by ITP to be up 13% in 2012 from 2011. SAN trade volume is projected to be up 10%; EVA trade volume, up 8%. Continue reading