During the worst month of the pandemic, the United States sharply increased imports of film and sheet made from polyethylene, polypropylene and PET, volumes of each in April at or near record levels. These polymers, among others, are used for personal protective equipment.
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Caustic Soda World Trade
A new report on global trade in aqueous caustic soda projects 20.7 million tons of trade in 2019, up 3% from the prior year, based on latest available statistics from 60 countries. Statistics in the new Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution World Trade Report project higher exports from all regions, except from the Middle East.
Continue readingUnited States is Now the World’s Largest Importer of PET Film/Sheet, Surpassing China
The US imported 191,000 tons of PET film/sheet through June, 2019, up 23% from the first half of 2018. Volumes exceeded those into China, which was the world’s largest importer in 2018.
Continue readingChina’s LNG Imports Soar to a New Record in November, as Prices Rise
China imported a record 6 million tons of LNG during November 2018, raising the year to date import volume to 47.6 million tons, an increase of 43% from the same period in 2017.
LNG Global Trade up 11% Through July
The volume of liquefied natural gas traded globally through July 2017 exceeded 150 million tons, up 11% from last year, based on latest available trade statistics.
Massive Rise in China’s Imports of Methanol
China’s imports of methanol surged to new highs in the second quarter of 2016 and continued very strong through August. Year to date, imports were up 68%.
P-Xylene: Current Global Trade Trends
In 2014, global trade in para-xylene totaled 15.8 million tons, up 2% from the prior year. Trade volume through June of 2015 was up 12% from the same period in 2014, based on reporting countries. Global trade volume is an indicator of global demand.
Qatar’s Exports of EDC Double; VCM Slows
Qatar exported over 244,000 tons of EDC through August 2014, up 98% from the prior year. Exports of VCM dropped 21%, to 192,000 tons. Qatar also reported 41,000 tons of exports of uncompounded PVC polymer. Continue reading
Paraxylene World Trade Survey of Major Trends July 2014 YTD
Prominent trends year to date included increased exports of paraxylene from both the Middle East and Western Europe to Asia-Pacific; much lower exports from North America to Asia-Pacific but increased volumes to Latin America. Continue reading
US Imports and Exports of PET in 2013
The US imports large volumes of PET, but exports have been declining for several years. Continue reading