For the second year in a row, imports of commodity polymers into China were down and exports of most commodity polymers were up, the result of weak demand due to Covid lockdowns. The year ended with commodity polymer imports totaling 25 million tons, down 9% from 2021. This followed a 19% drop in 2021 versus 2020. Commodity polymer exports were 10.8 million tons in 2022, up 22%. This followed a 74% jump in 2021 versus 2020.
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Understanding Global Trade in Recyclable PE, Styrenics and PVC
Between 2017 and 2022 the volume of global trade for these materials fell. The two main components of global trade, intra-regional trade plus exports to other regions also dropped, although with important differences by region.
Continue readingGlobal Trends in Recyclable Polyethylene
The volume of recyclable polyethylene traded globally declined from 2016-2019 but then gradually climbed and is projected to reach 3.2 million tons for 2022. Expanded trade within the Western European region plus rising imports into Eastern Europe from other regions were among the key factors.
Continue readingPVC and PET are China’s Largest Polymer Exports. ITP Projects Shipments up 16% and 23%, Respectively, in 2022.
China’s exports of both polymers soared in 2021 and are projected still higher in 2022. Much higher shipments to Russia and Turkey, and for PVC, also India, factored in the gains.
Continue readingITP Projects China’s Imports of Polyolefins Down Substantially in 2022; Smaller Volume Exports are Projected Up, Especially for Polyethylene.
Weak demand in China as a result of stringent Covid restrictions was reflected in lower imports of polyolefins into China, and higher exports out of China, in each of the last two years.
Continue readingChina 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.
Continue readingChina’s September 2022 Trade Statistics are Delayed
Due to the on-going 20th CPC National Congress in Beijing, release of trade and other statistics is delayed, but trading partner statistics give an advance view.
Continue readingEU Bans Imports of Most Polymers from Russia
On October 6, 2022 the EU placed additional sanctions on almost 7 billion Euro’s worth of imports from Russia. These included most polymers.
Continue readingLower Polyolefin Exports from Russia Indicated by Trading Partner Import Statistics Through June 2022 and Projected Through August
Russia stopped publishing trade statistics after January 2022. Russia’s exports, however, are visible from trading partner import statistics in ITP’s World Trade Matrixes. These indicate declines for both Russia’s exports of polymers of ethylene and propylene.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Polyethylene Picked up in August, 2022; Reduced Volumes YTD Changed Trade Flows Globally
After several slow months China’s imports of ethylene polymers in August 2022 were up by 140,000 tons from July. The 12% fall off in imports YTD, to 10.5 million tons, led to increased exports by Asia-Pacific exporters to Western and Eastern Europe and Africa.
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