2019 was a particularly important year as a baseline because it showed trends that were evolving globally before massive dislocations from Covid-19.
Continue readingTag Archives: polypropylene
China’s Imports of Ethylene Polymers were up 19% in 2019; Imports of Propylene Polymers were up 9%.
Reduced Supplies from Saudi Arabia Adds Pressure on China in the Trade War with US
Saudi Arabia is China’s top supplier of HDPE, LLDPE, MEG, DEG and styrene and also ships large volumes of polypropylene, liquefied butane gas and liquefied propane gas, among others. The recent attack on Saudi oil facilities will reduce exports of polymers and chemicals, at the same time as imports from the US are curtailed by punitive duties.
Continue readingGlobal Trade Projected up 6%-9% in 2019 for Polyethylene; Down Slightly for Polypropylene
Latest import/export statistics from all available countries indicate strong growth in global trade volume for polyethylene by year end 2019 but a contraction for polypropylene. Because global trade is driven by global demand, the trend in world trade volume generally indicates the trend in world demand.
Continue readingChina’s Commodity Polymer Imports up 20% through February 2019, despite the Chinese New Year Slowdown
China imported 4.6 million tons of commodity polymers – PE, PP, PS, PVC and PET – through February 2019, up 20% from the same period in 2018.
Continue readingUS Commodity Polymer Trade in 2018
US statistics for December, delayed by the government shutdown, are now available and show large increases for the year on exports of ethylene polymers, on imports of propylene polymers and PET, and, on imports of some fabricated plastic products.
Continue readingUS-China Trade War Update
The March 1 deadline for an increase from 10% to 25% in tariffs by the US on $200 Billion of imports from China has been postponed, but tariffs on many polymers and chemicals put in place earlier by both countries remain.
Continue readingBrazil’s Polymer Trade in 2018
Brazil imported 1.9 million tons of commodity polymers in 2018, up 11%. Exports were smaller, 1.6 million tons, and fell by 17%. Trade in recycle polymers was minor, noting a sharp drop in exports. Fabricated plastic product imports totaled 173,000 tons, up 9%; exports were 133,000 tons, up 3%.
Continue readingIran’s Polymer Trade in 2018
Iran exported 3.6 million tons of commodity polymers in 2018, down 5% from the prior year. Imports were 198,000 tons, down 42%. Shipments of fabricated plastic products jumped 35%, to 224,000 tons.
Continue readingPolypropylene Global Trade Volume Projected up 1% in 2018
ITP projects polypropylene homopolymer trade volume for 2018 of 20 million tons, up 1% from 2017. This compares with an increase of 5% in 2017 versus 2016. The trend in global trade volume generally indicates the trend in world demand.