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%.

Only small gains in global trade volume are projected for polyacetals, up 2%, and PET, up 4%. A decline of 4% is projected for ABS.

Many factors enter into the 13% increase in global trade volume in polycarbonates, including: gains of 4% each on intra-regional trade in Western Europe and Asia-Pacific; much higher imports, up over 40%, into Western Europe and, especially, the much larger market of Asia-Pacific;  increases of about 15% each on  imports into Eastern Europe and Latin America.

Polycarbonates exports from the Middle East are projected to be up over 300% in 2012.