Preliminary overview of vinyls trade in 2011: Latin America and Africa were high growth import markets for PVC; North America’s PVC exports increased for the sixth straight year; EDC global trade slowed; VCM trade expanded slightly. Continue reading
Trends in Polyolefins Trade in 2011 – Preliminary
Preliminary overview of polyolefins trade in 2011: increased global trade volume in all polyolefins, except LLDPE and EVA; higher Middle East exports of PE and PP, and, especially, copolymers; generally lower exports from Western Europe and North America. Continue reading
Trends in Styrenics Trade in 2011 – Preliminary
Preliminary overview of styrenics trade in 2011: lower global trade volume in ABS, SAN, non-expandable polystyrene and styrene; moderately higher expandable polystyrene volume; much higher Asia-Pacific exports of polystyrene and SAN to Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Continue reading
Key Aspects of China’s Polymer Trade
China imported 18.1 million tons of virgin commodity polymers in 2011, down 2%; exported 2.7 million tons of virgin commodity polymers, up 38%; imported 8.4 million tons of scrap commodity polymers, up 5%; and, exported 6.2 million tons of specific fabricated polymer products, up 8%. Continue reading
New Perspective on China’s Polymer Trade
In 2011, China will import approximately 18 million tons of virgin commodity polymers, plus 8 million tons of scrap and waste polymer. China will export 3 million tons of virgin commodity polymers and more than 3.5 million tons of specific fabricated plastics products identified by polymer, plus 2.5 million tons of fabricated product groups of mixed polymers. These important trade flows are covered in a new report. Continue reading
China’s Imports Surge in November 2011
After slowdowns in both September and October, China’s imports of most of the products followed by ITP surged in November. This followed a typical pattern of heavy trade in the last two months of each year in advance of the Chinese New Year in February. Continue reading
Typical Declines in China’s Trade in October 2011
China’s national holiday early in October was evident in both lower imports and exports of nearly all the products followed. Volume declines were generally typical for this period. Imports of a few basic chemicals increased: EDC, ethylene, methanol and propylene. Continue reading
Highlights of Russia’s Exports
Highlights of Russia’s exports through September, 2011: much lower exports of HDPE, LDPE and polypropylene but higher imports of each of these polymers, and also of PET, polystyrene and PVC; increased exports of methanol; lower shipments of styrene. Continue reading
Highlights of U.S. Exports
Highlights of U.S. exports through September 2011: most polyolefins exports, excluding LLDPE, down slightly or unchanged; PVC exports up 10%; increased shipments also of polyacetals, polycarbonates, ethylene, EDC, VCM and MEG; lower exports of propylene, PET and styrene. Continue reading
MEG Imports into China Set New Record; Other Imports Slow
Imports into China of most products eased in September 2011 after advancing strongly in August, but declines were generally modest. Exceptions, with gains, were MEG – setting a new record, DEG, polystyrene and PVC. Continue reading