Polyolefins, PTA, liquefied propane gas, soda ash, PVC, MEG, PET and methanol were leading imports, with sizable volumes also of recyclable PE, ABS, polycarbonates and caustic soda.
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China’s Commodity Polymer Trade February 2023 YTD
China’s imports through February 2023 of polyethylene, China’s largest commodity polymer import, showed no change versus February 2022 YTD. Imports of polypropylene posted a moderate increase. On the export side, however, China shipped substantially more of each major commodity polymer than in the same period in 2022.
Continue readingUS Exports of Polyethylene and PVC Both Soared to New Highs in January 2023
US exports, very strong in the fourth quarter of 2022, set new records in January, 2023.
Continue readingMajor Expansion in US Exports of Polyethylene in 2022
The US exported 11. 4 million tons of ethylene polymers in 2022, up 24% from the prior year. Shipments increased to every world region and nearly every country.
Continue readingTrends in China’s Trade in Commodity Polymers in 2022
For the second year in a row, imports of commodity polymers into China were down and exports of most commodity polymers were up, the result of weak demand due to Covid lockdowns. The year ended with commodity polymer imports totaling 25 million tons, down 9% from 2021. This followed a 19% drop in 2021 versus 2020. Commodity polymer exports were 10.8 million tons in 2022, up 22%. This followed a 74% jump in 2021 versus 2020.
Continue readingPVC and PET are China’s Largest Polymer Exports. ITP Projects Shipments up 16% and 23%, Respectively, in 2022.
China’s exports of both polymers soared in 2021 and are projected still higher in 2022. Much higher shipments to Russia and Turkey, and for PVC, also India, factored in the gains.
Continue readingUkraine’s Exports Remained Depressed Through May, 2022, but Imports of Key Chemical Products Picked Up.
The start of the war in February, 2022, severely impacted Ukraine’s trade in chemical and other products. While export volumes remained depressed, imports of many products into Ukraine picked up in May, although not to pre-war levels.
Continue readingUkraine’s Exports Plummet
Ukraine is a sizable exporter of caustic soda, PVC, propylene monomer and polymers of ethylene, among other products. Shipments of all of these dropped sharply in March, the month after Russia’s invasion, and virtually disappeared in April and May.
Continue readingChina Commodity Polymer Trade April 2022 Reflected Continued Weak Economic Activity From Covid Lockdowns
Polymer imports in April were almost as low as during Chinese New Year; exports of PVC hit a new high and shipments of PET also remained high; exports of fabricated plastic products continued slow.
Continue readingChina’s Trade in Commodity Polymers March 2022 YTD
After nearly a year of low volumes, China’s imports of virgin commodity polymers posted a small increase in March. Exports of PVC and PET exports surged. Shipments of fabricated plastic products rebounded modestly after the Chinese New Year slowdown. These flows were likely impacted by Covid-related lockdowns, the effects of which on demand and production are expected to continue for some months to come.
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