Imports of propylene polymers, styrenic polymers, PVC and PET all hit new highs in July on strong demand and tight supplies. Imports of ethylene polymers also surged. Hurricane Ida’s recent impact on US production capability is expected to further aggravate domestic supplies, especially for PVC and styrenics, increasing imports and reducing exports.
Continue readingTag Archives: LDPE
US Polyethylene Exports Rebounded in December and January, but the Upward Trend ends in February
US exports of polyethylene slumped from August through October 2020 in the aftermath of several hurricanes, then climbed back to record territory in December. Exports to China in January were up more than double from the prior January.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Ethylene Polymers Were up 11% in 2020, to 21.3 M Tons, Although Volume Slowed in the Fourth Quarter
Imports of HDPE were 9.1 million tons in 2020, up 14% from the prior year; linear polymer as EAOC, 6.7 million tons, up 17%; LDPE, 3.4 million tons, down 1%; and EVA, 1.0 million tons, down 3%. Much higher volumes from North America and Eastern Europe and little growth in supplies from the Middle East were striking trends.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Polyethylene Rebound in September; New Record Highs on Imports of HDPE and LDPE
After slowing in July and August, China’s imports of polyethylene rose strongly in September, 2020, and were accompanied by rising prices. Imports of conventional high pressure LDPE and HDPE set new records.
Continue readingGrowth in HDPE, LDPE and LLDPE Global Trade Volume
Trade expanded at widely varying rates from 2017 to 2020. HDPE grew at an average annual rate of 6.5%, LDPE at 2.5%, and LLDPE at 14%.
Continue readingUS Polyethylene Exports Soar to China in May and June 2020
China has been the top US export destination for polyethylene since May, 2020.
Continue readingChina Imported Record Volumes of PE, PP, PS and PVC in June 2020
Economic recovery was apparent in the stunning surge in China’s imports of virtually every major grade of commodity polymer in June. Import volume for the month, 3.6 million tons, was unprecedented and raised China’s YTD import total to 15.9 million tons, up 8% from the first half of 2019.
Continue readingNew Capacity in North America Impacts Middle East Polyethylene Exports
North America exported higher volumes of polyethylene to every world region through May 2020, while Middle East exports to every region were down.
Continue readingProminent Trends in Western Europe’s Polyethylene Trade Through April 2020 Point to Slower Demand
A slowdown in intra-regional trade and generally lower imports from other regions, with one key exception, were prominent trends in Western Europe’s PE trade, based on the most current data available.
Continue reading2019 – the Baseline Year Before Covid-19
2019 was a particularly important year as a baseline because it showed trends that were evolving globally before massive dislocations from Covid-19.
Continue reading