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 readingTag Archives: China
China Imported Record Volumes of Polymers and Other Products in January 2019
In advance of the Chinese New Year holiday beginning on February 5th, China’s imports of many products jumped to new highs in January.
Continue readingTrends in Western Europe’s Trade in Ethylene
Western Europe moved into first place in 2018 as the world’s largest exporter of ethylene monomer, ahead of the Middle East, North America and Latin America.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Olefins from the United States
On August 23rd, 2018, China imposed a 25% duty on imports of ethylene, propylene and butadiene from the US. China imports relatively small volumes of propylene and butadiene from the US. Imports of ethylene, however, are sizable and volumes slowed in the fourth quarter, impacted by the duty.
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 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 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.
Global Trade in Recycle Polyethylene Down 31% in 2018
Based on latest available statistics, ITP projects a volume of 3.2 million tons of recycle polyethylene traded globally in 2018. This is a decline of 31%, or 1.4 million tons, from 2017. Exports out of Western Europe and North America were particularly impacted, although shipments from all regions were down.
China’s LNG Imports Soar to a New Record in November, as Prices Rise
China imported a record 6 million tons of LNG during November 2018, raising the year to date import volume to 47.6 million tons, an increase of 43% from the same period in 2017.