Although Eurostat statistics for polymers and other products are published three months after the trade month, an earlier view of import demand and the impact of shipping disruptions in the Red Sea can be obtained from trading partner export statistics.
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China’s Exports of All the Commodity Polymers Set New Records in March 2024
The simultaneous jump to new highs in March of China’s exports of polyethylene, polypropylene, styrenic polymers, PVC and PET was unprecedented. A rebound in polymer shipments after the holiday in February was expected and evident historically but new polymer capacity was also indicated, particularly in polypropylene.
Continue readingTrends in Polyolefin Polymer Trade in Western Europe in 2023
Polyolefin polymer demand in Western Europe in 2023 is measurable in part from the region’s intra-regional trade, its imports from other regions, and its exports to other regions. Lower intra-regional trade and lower imports indicate a drop in demand from one year to the next. These were evident in 2023 versus 2022 for LDPE, linear PE, HDPE, and PP homopolymer. Lower polymer demand in a region is also usually associated with an increase in a region’s exports, if conditions make this possible. Western Europe’s exports of HDPE did increase in 2023, but shipments of other polymers were constrained by low demand in other regions and surging exports from North America.
Continue readingTrends in Recyclable Polyethylene in 2023
Global trade volume in recyclable polyethylene polymer in 2023 dropped 2% from 2022, to 3.0 million tons, indicating weaker global demand. Key trends included lower intra-regional trade in Western Europe and Asia-Pacific, lower imports into Western Europe and a surge in imports into Asia-Pacific on material sourced mainly from Western Europe and North America. Average prices steadied in the second half of 2023 at low levels.
Continue readingRussia’s Polymer Imports/Exports in 2022
Although Russia stopped publishing trade statistics soon after invading Ukraine, the country’s trade is visible in large part from the statistics of trading partners. These show lower imports and exports of several key polymers in 2022.
Continue readingWestern Europe Exports to Russia More of Most Major Polymers than it Imports from Russia, with the Exception of Polypropylene.
Western Europe’s polymer trade with Russia, particularly in polyolefins, styrenic polymers and PVC, will be impacted by sanctions and broken supply chains from the war in Ukraine.
Continue readingLong-term Trends in Imports and Exports for Every Country and Region are Revealed in ITP’s New Trade Archive From 2010
The new Trade Archive is a resource of historic volume, price and trading partner information for every country and region from 2010.
Continue readingFocus on: UAE Exports of Polyethylene and Polypropylene
The United Arab Emirates’ exports of polyethylene and polypropylene increased substantially in 2014, and shipments grew through the first half of 2015.
Imports Into Qatar
Qatar exports huge volumes of EDC, VCM, polyethylene and methanol. Qatar also imports numerous polymers and chemicals. Continue reading
Polymer Imports into Russia Rebound After Difficult Winter
Despite a hard and prolonged winter, Russia’s imports of several polymers climbed in March 2013. Particularly high volumes of uncompounded PVC and ethylene copolymers were imported that month.