Tag Archives: polystyrene

China’s Imports Continue to Surprise

Despite worries to the contrary, China’s imports in the first half of 2012 were up sharply versus the prior year for a number of chemicals and polymers.  Continue reading

China’s Scrap Polymer Imports are Large and Growing

Imports into China of scrap and waste commodity polymers are large, growing, and should be considered along with imports of virgin polymer in analyzing China’s demand. Continue reading

Trends in Styrenics Trade in 2011 – Preliminary

Preliminary overview of styrenics trade in 2011: lower global trade volume in ABS, SAN, non-expandable polystyrene and styrene; moderately higher expandable polystyrene volume; much higher Asia-Pacific exports of polystyrene and SAN to Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Continue reading

New Perspective on China’s Polymer Trade

In 2011, China will import approximately 18 million tons of virgin commodity polymers, plus 8 million tons of scrap and waste polymer. China will export 3 million tons of virgin commodity polymers and more than 3.5 million tons of specific fabricated plastics products identified by polymer, plus 2.5 million tons of fabricated product groups of mixed polymers. These important trade flows are covered in a new report. Continue reading

China’s Imports Surge in November 2011

After slowdowns in both September and October, China’s imports of most of the products followed by ITP surged in November. This followed a typical pattern of heavy trade in the last two months of each year in advance of the Chinese New Year in February. Continue reading

Highlights of Russia’s Exports

Highlights of Russia’s exports through September, 2011: much lower exports of HDPE, LDPE and polypropylene but higher imports of each of these polymers, and also of PET, polystyrene and PVC; increased exports of methanol; lower shipments of styrene. Continue reading

MEG Imports into China Set New Record; Other Imports Slow

Imports into China of most products eased in September 2011 after advancing strongly in August, but declines were generally modest. Exceptions, with gains, were MEG – setting a new record, DEG, polystyrene and PVC. Continue reading

Mid-year Global Trade Highlights: Commodity Polymers

Highlights of global trade June 2011 YTD from ITP’s monthly newsletters for polyethylene, polypropylene, propylene copolymers, EVA, PVC and polystyrene are summarized.  Continue reading