Exports of LDPE to Asia and Africa rise.
Russia Exports More LDPE; Imports More LLDPE and HDPE
Russia exported over 50,000 tons of LDPE through March, 2012, up 29%; imports were minor. Russia’s imports of HDPE and LLDPE, however, were up substantially.
US Exports of Scrap PVC up 33% in 2011
Exports of scrap polyethylene and PET also increased.
Mixed Trends for Japan’s Monomer Exports
Japan exported much higher volumes of benzene and ethylene through April, 2012, but shipments of styrene and propylene dropped.
Japan’s Engineering Polymer Exports Slow
Japan’s April YTD shipments of ABS, polyacetals and SAN were down; polycarbonates exports increased slightly.
More Ethylene, Benzene and Methanol Traded in 2011; Less Propylene
World trade volume was up 3%-9% for ethylene, benzene and methanol; down 3% for propylene.
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MEG and DEG Global Trade Expands Further in 2011
Both MEG and DEG global trade volume increased in 2011, although the growth rate for MEG was down substantially from 2010. Continue reading
US Exports of Glycols Surge; China a Major Market
US exports of MEG were up 32% through March 2012 and DEG shipments jumped 49%, mainly on volumes to China.
Demand Slows for Polyacetals, Polycarbonates and PET in 2011
Lower demand in 2011 was apparent from reduced global trade in polyacetals, polycarbonates and PET, volumes down 1%-5%. Continue reading
PVC Trade Flat in 2011; Mixed Trends for EDC and VCM
There was no change in the volume of PVC traded globally in 2011, 11.4 million tons. This compared with a 9% increase in 2010 and a 3% rise in 2009.