Lower imports into China were evident in the slowdown in trade within the Asia-Pacific region in 2018.
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Strong Expansion in Liquefied Propane Gas Global Trade in 2018
The volume of liquefied propane gas (LPG) traded globally in 2018 was up 11% from 2017, to 78 million tons, based on latest available data.
Continue readingPE Imports from US into Western Europe Displace Polymer from other Regions
An increase by over 70% in imports from the US in 2018 resulted in lower imports into Western Europe from the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
Continue readingThailand’s Polymer Trade in 2018
Thailand exported 5.4 million tons of commodity polymers in 2018, up 16% from 2017. The country became an important new market for recycle polymers, imports of which nearly quadrupled in 2018, to 553,000 tons. Sizable volumes of fabricated plastic products, 663,000 tons, up 8%, were exported to Asia-Pacific and North America.
Continue readingIran’s Polymer Trade in 2018
Iran exported 3.6 million tons of commodity polymers in 2018, down 5% from the prior year. Imports were 198,000 tons, down 42%. Shipments of fabricated plastic products jumped 35%, to 224,000 tons.
Continue readingKorea’s Polymer Trade in 2018
Korea exported 10 million tons of commodity polymers in 2018, up 4% from the prior year, imported 900,000 tons of commodity polymers, up 15%, plus an additional 150,000 tons of recycle polymers, up 141%.
Continue readingGlobal Methacrylates Trade up 6% in 2018
Over 1.4 million tons of methacrylates was traded globally in 2018, up 6% from 2017. The Middle East became the world’s largest methacrylates exporting region, surpassing North America and Western Europe.
Continue readingChina’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.
Continue readingUS Exports of HDPE Hit New High
US exports of HDPE have trended higher through most of 2018, with volume of 2.1 million tons through October up 21% from the same period in 2017. A record 259,000 tons were shipped in the month of October.
Shipments increased to every region except the Middle East, with the largest percentage gains on exports to Western Europe and Asia Pacific.
Continue readingRegional Shifts in US Exports of Linear Low Density Polyethylene
Two main factors – the startup of new capacity plus tariffs on exports to China – have resulted in large regional shifts in US exports of linear PE. Exports have increased to all regions but especially to Western and Eastern Europe, and combined shipments to those regions now exceed those to Asia-Pacific.