An increase by over 70% in imports from the US in 2018 resulted in lower imports into Western Europe from the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
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Trends in Western Europe’s Trade in Ethylene
Western Europe moved into first place in 2018 as the world’s largest exporter of ethylene monomer, ahead of the Middle East, North America and Latin America.
Continue readingTrends in Western Europe’s Trade in Propylene
The balanced nature of the propylene market in Western Europe in 2018 was evident in the region’s trade, with intra-regional trade up slightly from the prior year and declines on both imports and exports.
Continue readingTrends in Western Europe’s Trade in Butadiene
Western Europe is the world’s largest exporter of butadiene, shipping nearly 500,000 tons in 2018, up 14% partly on a jump in exports to North America.
Continue readingThailand’s Polymer Trade in 2018
Thailand exported 5.4 million tons of commodity polymers in 2018, up 16% from 2017. The country became an important new market for recycle polymers, imports of which nearly quadrupled in 2018, to 553,000 tons. Sizable volumes of fabricated plastic products, 663,000 tons, up 8%, were exported to Asia-Pacific and North America.
Continue readingKorea’s Polymer Trade in 2018
Korea exported 10 million tons of commodity polymers in 2018, up 4% from the prior year, imported 900,000 tons of commodity polymers, up 15%, plus an additional 150,000 tons of recycle polymers, up 141%.
Continue readingChina’s Polymer Trade in 2018
Much higher imports of polyethylene and styrenic polymers, reduced polymer imports from the US, no imports of recycle polymers, and, record high exports of fabricated plastic products characterized China’s trade in 2018.
Continue readingGlobal Trade in Recycle Polyethylene Down 31% in 2018
Based on latest available statistics, ITP projects a volume of 3.2 million tons of recycle polyethylene traded globally in 2018. This is a decline of 31%, or 1.4 million tons, from 2017. Exports out of Western Europe and North America were particularly impacted, although shipments from all regions were down.
Global LNG Trade Projected Up 14% in 2018
A 14% increase in global LNG trade in 2018, to 318 million tons of imports and exports, is forecast by ITP based on the latest available statistics. This follows an 8% increase in global trade in 2017 versus 2016.
Phenol Global Trade Volume Projected Up 7% in 2018
Higher phenol exports from new capacity in Saudi Arabia was one factor in the 7% increase in global trade volume, to 3.0 million tons, projected for 2018.