Tag Archives: ABS

Acrylonitrile Global Trade Trends

For most of the last ten years the volume of acrylonitrile (ACN) traded globally has trended downward. The exception was the period 2018 to 2021 when trade volume initially increased, then steadied, paralleling the trend in global trade in ABS polymer, its largest end use. There have been major shifts in ACN trade between regions over the period.

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Vietnam is a Major Importer of Many Polymers, Chemicals and Related Products

Polyolefins, PTA, liquefied propane gas, soda ash, PVC, MEG, PET and methanol were leading imports, with sizable volumes also of recyclable PE, ABS, polycarbonates and caustic soda.

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China Reported Lower Imports of Most Major Polymers and Chemicals Through September, 2022

Of fifteen large volume imports, each exceeding 1 million tons, imports of only three products were up September 2022 YTD from the same period in 2021.

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Western Europe Exports to Russia More of Most Major Polymers than it Imports from Russia, with the Exception of Polypropylene.

Western Europe’s polymer trade with Russia, particularly in polyolefins, styrenic polymers and PVC, will be impacted by sanctions and broken supply chains from the war in Ukraine.

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US Imports of Several Commodity Polymers Set New Records in July 2021

Imports of propylene polymers, styrenic polymers, PVC and PET all hit new highs in July on strong demand and tight supplies. Imports of ethylene polymers also surged. Hurricane Ida’s recent impact on US production capability is expected to further aggravate domestic supplies, especially for PVC and styrenics, increasing imports and reducing exports.

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China Imported Record Volumes of PE, PP, PS and PVC in June 2020

Economic recovery was apparent in the stunning surge in China’s imports of virtually every major grade of commodity polymer in June. Import volume for the month, 3.6 million tons, was unprecedented and raised China’s YTD import total to 15.9 million tons, up 8% from the first half of 2019.

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2019 – the Baseline Year Before Covid-19

2019 was a particularly important year as a baseline because it showed trends that were evolving globally before massive dislocations from Covid-19.

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Small Drop in China’s Tariffs on Polymer Imports from US

As of February 14, 2020, China will knock 2.5% off the punitive tariffs applied on imports of many polymers from the US. Most of the tariffs have been in effect since 2018.

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China’s Polymer Trade in 2018

Much higher imports of polyethylene and styrenic polymers, reduced polymer imports from the US, no imports of recycle polymers, and, record high exports of fabricated plastic products characterized China’s trade in 2018.

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