Prominent trends year to date included: reduced intra-regional trade in Asia-Pacific and lower imports into the region from North America and Western Europe but higher volumes from Latin America; a continued downward trend for exports from North America.
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Tag Archives: Japan
China’s PET exports total 1.4 million tons through July 2014, up 21% on big gains to Japan, Russia, US, India and others
China exported PET at record levels from March through May of 2014, shipments easing moderately in June and July. Nearly all of this was bottle-grade polymer. After falling for several months, the average export price picked up slightly in July, to $1267/ton. Continue reading
Global Trade Volume Up for PMMA Polymer and Sheet
Global trade volume was up 9% for PMMA polymer and 5% for sheet in the first half of 2014. Continue reading
China’s Imports of Recycle PET Unchanged Through June 2014; Recycle PE Imports up 51%
China imported close to 1 million tons of recycle PET through June 2014, the volume unchanged from the prior year. Recycle polyethylene imports were 2.2 million tons, up 51%. 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
Major Expansion in 2013 in Ethylene and Propylene Trade Within Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific’s intra-regional trade in ethylene jumped 24% in 2013; intra-regional trade in propylene was up 18%. Continue reading
Global PVC Trade Expands in 2013; Trade in EDC and VCM Also Grows
Global trade in PVC expanded by 6% in 2013. Trade in EDC grew 10%; VCM, 7%. Trends in global trade volume for widely traded products are an indicator of global demand. Continue reading
Robust Expansion in Global Benzene Trade
Benzene trade volume was up 19% through June 2013 versus the prior year. Several key countries reported much higher imports; exports from Thailand, Germany, Japan and others were up sharply. Continue reading
PET Exports from China Soar to a New High
China’s exports of PET polymer, most of which is bottle-grade, reached a new record in July, 2013 of 217,000 tons. Shipments to all world regions increased, with the heaviest volumes exported to Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America. 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.