Nearly 3 million tons of flooring and wall coverings made from PVC were traded globally in 2014, up 11% from the prior year. Trade volume through June of 2015 was flat with last year, based on reporting countries. Global trade volume is an indicator of global demand. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Middle East
Africa’s Polyethylene Import Trends
Africa, in addition to Latin America, is an increasingly important market for polyethylene exporters, particularly those in the Middle East, as demand in Europe and Asia eases. Continue reading
Latin America’s Polyethylene Import Trends
The Latin American import market for polyethylene has become increasingly important to exporters worldwide as demand in the region is expected to grow rapidly but capacity expansions are limited.
Propylene Copolymers: Current Global Trade Trends
The volume of propylene copolymers traded globally, 3.2 million tons, was up 8% through May, 2015 from the prior year, based on reporting countries. (This compares with a 3% increase in exports of polypropylene homopolymer for the period.) Shipments increased from each of the top four exporting regions: Western Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and North America. Exports from the Middle East had the highest percentage increase.
Polypropylene: Current Global Trade Trends
The volume of polypropylene homopolymer traded globally, 6.1 million tons, was up 3% through May 2015 versus the prior year. Shipments from the Middle East and Western Europe were up; North America’s contracted slightly; exports from Eastern Europe jumped by over 50%.
LLDPE: Current Global Trade Trends
The volume of LLDPE polymer traded globally, 3.7 million tons, was unchanged through May 2015 from the prior year, based on reporting countries. Among the top exporting regions, shipments from the Middle East and Western Europe were down slightly; exports from North America were sharply lower.
LDPE: Current Global Trade Trends
The volume of LDPE polymer traded globally, 4.4 million tons, was up 3% through May, 2015, based on reporting countries. Expanded trade within Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and increased imports into Latin America and Eastern Europe were factors in the higher global trade volume. Shipments by two of the top three exporting regions, Middle East and North America, were down, and shipments from Western Europe were unchanged, lower volumes to Asia-Pacific a factor. Continue reading
HDPE: Current Global Trade Trends
The volume of HDPE polymer traded globally, 7.3 million tons, was up 5% through May, 2015, based on reporting countries. Among the top exporting regions, shipments from the Middle East, Western Europe and Asia-Pacific increased; North America’s were down; markets shifted between exporters. Continue reading
DEG – Major Trade Trends in 2014
ITP’s analysis of global trade in diethylene glycol indicates a 6% increase in the volume traded in 2014 versus 2013, to 1.4 million tons. Trends in global trade volume generally indicate trends in demand.
Polystyrene – Major Trade Trends in 2014
ITP’s analysis of global trade in polystyrene indicates a 4% drop in the volume of general purpose polystyrene traded in 2014 versus 2013, to 3.3 million tons, and, a 2% increase in the volume of expandable polystyrene traded, to 2.2 million tons. Trends in global trade volume generally indicate trends in global demand.