After trending downward for most of 2016 and into early 2017 China’s imports of liquefied butane gases soared to a new record high of 557,000 ton in May and continued to rise in June, reaching 587,000 tons. Average prices slipped in both months, to $433/ton in June.
Tag Archives: Iran
China’s Imports of Polyethylene from Iran
Through May, 2017, China imported a total of 5.4 million tons of ethylene polymers, up 17% from the same period in 2016. Iran supplied 823,000 tons, or 15%, of the total, down 7%. A restriction on imports into China from Iran, will likely be made up by Saudi Arabia, US, Korea and UAE, among others.
Iran’s Exports and Imports of Polyethylene and Polypropylene
Iran exported 2.7 million tons of ethylene polymers in 2016, up 19%, and 190,000 tons of propylene polymers, down 10%. Continue reading
Global Trade in Propylene Glycol up Slightly; Asia-Pacific Exports Rise to Several Markets
The volume of propylene glycol traded globally showed a 1% rise through August 2016, to over 600,000 tons, based on earliest available data.
Massive Rise in China’s Imports of Methanol
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%.
Recent Trends in Butadiene Trade
Substantially higher butadiene export from Western Europe and Latin America were prominent trade trends through May, 2016.
China’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.
China’s Polyolefins Trade in 2015
China ended 2015 with imports of polyolefins up 10% from 2014. Imports of HDPE and EVA were particularly strong, up 12% and 27%, respectively. In addition to higher volumes from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, supplies from North America and Latin America rose sharply.
Focus on: Iran’s Polymer and Chemical Exports in the First Half of 2015
Iran’s exports of several large volume polymers and chemicals were up sharply in the first half of 2015 versus the prior year. These products were shipped primarily to just three markets, China, India and Turkey, a situation which will change should sanctions be lifted. Continue reading
P-Xylene: Current Global Trade Trends
In 2014, global trade in para-xylene totaled 15.8 million tons, up 2% from the prior year. Trade volume through June of 2015 was up 12% from the same period in 2014, based on reporting countries. Global trade volume is an indicator of global demand.