The volume of global trade in recyclable polymers in 2020 was less than half of what it was five years ago. The amount of recyclable polymer traded fell from 15.3 million tons in 2016, to 7.0 million tons in 2020. The rate of decline slowed markedly in 2019 and 2020
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Turkey’s Ban on Imports of R-PE Will Impact More Than 360,000 Tons of Exports From Western Europe
Public outcry in Turkey over piles of plastic waste dumped on roadsides, burning, and floating in rivers led the Turkish government to ban imports of recyclable polyethylene. In 2020, imports of RPE from Western Europe totaled 360,000 tons.
Continue readingUS Ethylene Polymer Exports, R-PE Trade, and Imports of PE Sacks and Bags as of February 2020
US exports of ethylene polymers continued strong through February 2020, volume near record levels. Shipments of recyclable polymer continued falling. Imports of PE sacks and bags from China dropped.
Continue readingUS Exports of Recycle Polymers Down 46% as of July 2019; Further Declines Likely From India’s Ban on Recycle Polymer Imports
The US shipped 406,000 tons of recycle polymers through July, 2019, down 46% from the same period in the prior year. China’s total ban on imports of recycle polymers as of 2018 was a key factor in the decline. Further declines in US exports are expected as India has announced it will also ban all recycle polymer imports.
Continue readingOverview of Thailand’s Commodity Polymer Trade July 2018 YTD
There was a strong upward trend in Thailand’s exports of commodity polymers through most of the first seven months of the year. Imports of virgin commodity polymers were up slightly; imports of recycle polymers soared.
Overview of India’s Commodity Polymer Trade June 2018 YTD
India’s trade in commodity polymers in the first half of 2018 was highlighted by record high exports of virgin polymers, record high exports of fabricated plastic products, and, increased imports of recycle polymers.
China’s Imports of Recycle Polymers Fell to a Low in November
Imports of recycle polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and PET all fell in November to volumes at or near record monthly lows for the 2013-2017 period. Imports of smaller volumes of recycle polystyrene remained above last year’s levels. Continue reading