Preliminary figures for 2016 indicate a 6% increase in global trade volume in polyethylene film and sheet, to just under 5 million tons.
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China’s Ethylene and Propylene Imports Hit New Highs
Both China’s imports of ethylene monomer and propylene monomer soared to new highs in December 2016.
China’s Imports of Recycle PET Surged in 2016; Recycle PVC also Up
China’s imports of recycle PET climbed through most of 2016, reaching a new high of 277,000 tons in December. The average price picked up slightly towards year end, to $456/ton.
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.
Record Exports of Polymers from China
An important trend since March 2016 has been record exports of polymers from China. Exports of PVC surged in March and continued high through August, as did exports of PET. Shipments of polyolefins were heavy from March through June/July, but slowed in August.
Recent Trends in Propylene Monomer Trade
Much higher propylene monomer exports from both North America and Western Europe to Latin America were among the trends visible in global propylene trade through March, 2016.
Benzene Global Trade Trends
Over 9 million tons of benzene were traded globally in 2015, up 16% from 2014. Prominent regional trends during the year included: higher Asia-Pacific exports and also expanded trade within that region; increased imports into North America; increased imports into Western Europe; and, in the Middle East sharply higher trade, both imports and exports, with imports exceeding exports. Early data for 2016 indicates a continuation of these trends.
China’s Fabricated Plastic Products Exports Surge
China’s exports of fabricated plastic products surged in December 2015 and ended the year up 6% from 2014. Exports of several large-volume fabricated products set new record highs.
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.
Polyethylene Sheets and Other Flat Products: Current Global Trade Trends
In 2014, global trade in polyethylene sheets and other flat products (film, foil and strip) totaled 4.4 million tons, up 2% from the prior year. Trade volume through June of 2015 was up 3% from the same period in the prior year, based on reporting countries. Global trade volume is an indicator of global demand.