As it did in 2009 during the financial crisis, China buttressed the global petrochemical industry with record imports of LLDPE and HDPE during the 2020 pandemic. Volume was heavy from May through October 2020. Much higher imports from North America (US), Eastern Europe (Russia) and other Asia-Pacific, and a drop in imports of LLDPE from the Middle East, were prominent supply changes.
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China’s Imports of Polyethylene Rebound in September; New Record Highs on Imports of HDPE and LDPE
After slowing in July and August, China’s imports of polyethylene rose strongly in September, 2020, and were accompanied by rising prices. Imports of conventional high pressure LDPE and HDPE set new records.
Continue readingSharp Rise in Polycarbonate Film and Sheet Global Trade Projected for 2020, up 22%
Many countries reported record high imports of PC film and sheet from the second quarter of the year, on strong demand for personal protection equipment.
Continue readingUnprecedented Imports of PMMA Film/Sheet Globally
The need for PMMA film and sheet in personal protective equipment resulted in a stunning surge in imports into countries all over the globe during the April – August 2020 period, and also record exports from several.
Continue readingMajor Trends in Recyclable PVC World Trade
The volume of recyclable PVC traded globally has fallen by over 60% over the last five years, from nearly 900,000 tons in 2016 to 340,000 tons projected for year-end 2020.
Continue readingChina’s PE and PP Imports Slow in July and August 2020
China’s imports of ethylene polymers dropped from a record high of 2.1 million tons in June to 1.8 million tons in August. Imports of propylene polymers fell from 840,000 tons in June, another record, to 580,000 tons. Despite the declines, imports YTD are up substantially for both polymer groups.
Continue readingMajor Trends in Recyclable PS World Trade
The volume of recyclable polystyrene traded globally has fallen steeply from a peak of 460,000 tons in 2017 to 224,000 tons projected for 2020.
Continue readingMajor Trends in Recyclable Polyethylene World Trade
The volume of recyclable polyethylene traded globally has fallen by more 50% from 2015, resulting in profound changes in regional trade flows.
Continue readingUS Polyethylene Exports Soar to China in May and June 2020
China has been the top US export destination for polyethylene since May, 2020.
Continue readingChina 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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