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
Tag Archives: Japan
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.
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
Thailand’s Exports of Polyolefin Copolymers Surge
Mixed Trends for Japan’s Monomer Exports
Japan exported much higher volumes of benzene and ethylene through April, 2012, but shipments of styrene and propylene dropped.
Japan’s Engineering Polymer Exports Slow
Japan’s April YTD shipments of ABS, polyacetals and SAN were down; polycarbonates exports increased slightly.
Highlights of U.S. Exports
Highlights of U.S. exports through September 2011: most polyolefins exports, excluding LLDPE, down slightly or unchanged; PVC exports up 10%; increased shipments also of polyacetals, polycarbonates, ethylene, EDC, VCM and MEG; lower exports of propylene, PET and styrene. Continue reading
MEG Imports into China Set New Record; Other Imports Slow
Imports into China of most products eased in September 2011 after advancing strongly in August, but declines were generally modest. Exceptions, with gains, were MEG – setting a new record, DEG, polystyrene and PVC. Continue reading