China’s imports of methanol surged to new highs in the second quarter of 2016 and continued very strong through August. Year to date, imports were up 68%.
Tag Archives: imports
Mexico’s Polyethylene Trade
Mexico’s exports of HDPE rose sharply in the second quarter of 2016, while exports of L/LLDPE continued a gradual upward trend. Imports of both polymers also trended higher. Major shifts in imports and exports are expected as Braskem Idesa’s new plant ramps up. Continue reading
China Was A High Growth Import Market in 2015 for Benzene, Isopropanol, Cumene, P-Xylene, Methanol and VCM
China’s imports of these basic chemicals increased by 15% to 100% in 2015 versus 2014.
China’s Polymer Imports Set Another Record
Following the highest volume ever recorded on China’s imports of virgin commodity polymers, in March 2015, imports eased in April but set another record for that month. Continue reading
Propylene Copolymers – Major Trade Trends in 2014
ITP’s analysis of global trade in propylene copolymers – olefin polymers in which propylene is the predominant comonomer by weight, excluding homopolymer – indicates a 4% increase in the volume of polymer traded in 2014 versus 2013, to 7.9 million tons. Trends in global trade volume generally indicate trends in global demand.
Weak P-Xylene Demand in Western Europe Evidenced by Reduced Intra-regional Trade; Low Imports; High Exports
Continued weak demand for p-xylene in Western Europe was apparent from the 37% drop in the region’s intra-regional trade, the 23% drop in imports, and the 72% increase in exports through September 2014, based on reporting countries. Continue reading
US Benzene Imports up 20% May 2014 YTD
Over 835,000 tons of benzene were imported into the US through May 2014, up 20% from the same period last year. As US crackers continue the trend to lighter feedstocks, lower US benzene production and increased benzene imports are likely. Continue reading
US Imports and Exports of PET in 2013
The US imports large volumes of PET, but exports have been declining for several years. Continue reading
US Benzene Imports Up 31%, Japan the Second Largest Supplier
US benzene imports trended higher in both April and May of 2013 and totaled 873,000 tons May YTD, up 31%.
There were relatively modest increases in volumes from three of the US’s top four suppliers: South Korea, up 7%, Canada, up 2%, and Brazil, up 14%.
Imports from Japan of 145,000 tons through May, however, were up 490% from small volumes early last year, moving that country into second place among US suppliers, behind South Korea.
Profound Changes in China’s Commodity Polymer Trade
Historically low imports of recycle polymers, heavy imports of virgin HDPE, record high exports of PET, and, a strong upward trend in exports of fabricated plastic products were features of China’s trade in the first half of 2013. Continue reading