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.
Continue readingTag Archives: expandable polystyrene
Trends in Eastern Europe’s Trade in Expandable Polystyrene in 2018
Continued growth in expandable polystyrene demand in Eastern Europe was evident from both the region’s higher intra-regional trade and also higher imports over the last three years from 2015 through 2018. For the first time over that period, in 2018 Eastern Europe’s imports from Western Europe slipped.
Continue readingChina’s Commodity Polymer Trade Rebounds
March 2016 statistics show a rebound in China’s imports of both virgin and recycle commodity polymers. China’s exports of commodity polymers hit a record high.
Recent trends in Algeria’s Trade
Algeria is a sizable importer of all of the major commodity polymers. Algeria exports methanol and small volumes of benzene.
Polystyrene – Major Trade Trends in 2014
ITP’s analysis of global trade in polystyrene indicates a 4% drop in the volume of general purpose polystyrene traded in 2014 versus 2013, to 3.3 million tons, and, a 2% increase in the volume of expandable polystyrene traded, to 2.2 million tons. Trends in global trade volume generally indicate trends in global demand.
Update on US Polymer Exports – Mostly Down
Through September 2014, US exports of polyolefins, styrenics and PVC have either declined versus the prior year or been unchanged, despite the positive effects of increased US shale gas production on energy and feedstocks. Continue reading
Iran exports huge volumes of several polymers and chemicals; imports of numerous products also large
Iran is among the world’s top exporters of ethylene glycol, methanol, para-xylene, LDPE, HDPE, polypropylene and styrene. Continue reading
PSX Trade Grows in 2011; PSN, ABS, SAN and Styrene Trade Contracts
Weak demand was apparent from the reduced volumes of PSN, ABS, SAN and styrene traded globally in 2011. PSX trade volume expanded, but at a slower rate than in 2010.
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Trends in Styrenics Trade in 2011 – Preliminary
Preliminary overview of styrenics trade in 2011: lower global trade volume in ABS, SAN, non-expandable polystyrene and styrene; moderately higher expandable polystyrene volume; much higher Asia-Pacific exports of polystyrene and SAN to Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Continue reading
Highlights of Russia’s Exports
Highlights of Russia’s exports through September, 2011: much lower exports of HDPE, LDPE and polypropylene but higher imports of each of these polymers, and also of PET, polystyrene and PVC; increased exports of methanol; lower shipments of styrene. Continue reading