An important trend since March 2016 has been record exports of polymers from China. Exports of PVC surged in March and continued high through August, as did exports of PET. Shipments of polyolefins were heavy from March through June/July, but slowed in August.
Tag Archives: PVC
China’s Trade June 2016 YTD: Generally Lower Imports; Big Gains on Some Exports
China’s imports of most polymers and chemical were lower in the first half of 2016 than in the same period in the prior year. Exceptions were imports of: ethylene, EVA, propylene oxide and, especially, methanol. China’s exports of PVC, polypropylene, PTA, VAM and non-expandable polystyene surged. Shipments of polyethylene also were up. Continue reading
Impact on Western Europe of Reduced PVC Supplies from Mexico
The April 20, 2016 blast at the Petroquimica Mexicana de Vinilo plant at Coatzacoalcos, Mexico is expected to reduce Mexico’s exports of PVC, which go mainly to Western Europe.
China’s Commodity Polymer Trade Rebounds
March 2016 statistics show a rebound in China’s imports of both virgin and recycle commodity polymers. China’s exports of commodity polymers hit a record high.
China’s PET and PVC Polymer Exports Fall in 2015
PET and PVC are China’s largest commodity polymer exports but shipments of both were down substantially in 2015 versus 2014.
China’s Polymer Exports Fell in 2015
China exported 4.1 million tons of polymers in 2015, down 10% from the prior year. PET was the largest volume polymer export, followed by PVC, both down from 2014. Exports of polyethylene increased.
Recent trends in Algeria’s Trade
Algeria is a sizable importer of all of the major commodity polymers. Algeria exports methanol and small volumes of benzene.
Focus on: Iran’s Polymer and Chemical Exports in the First Half of 2015
Iran’s exports of several large volume polymers and chemicals were up sharply in the first half of 2015 versus the prior year. These products were shipped primarily to just three markets, China, India and Turkey, a situation which will change should sanctions be lifted. Continue reading
PVC Floor and Wall Coverings: Current Global Trade Trends
Nearly 3 million tons of flooring and wall coverings made from PVC were traded globally in 2014, up 11% from the prior year. Trade volume through June of 2015 was flat with last year, based on reporting countries. Global trade volume is an indicator of global demand. Continue reading
Focus on: China’s Chemical Trade in the First Half of 2015
There were spectacular increases on imports of several large volume chemicals and polymers into China in the first half of 2015, and declines on others.