Duties of 25% on imports from the US of most polyethylene grades have had little effect on China’s total imports, which were at record levels from March through May, 2019.
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Changes in China’s Imports of Polyethylene by Region
In April 2019, for the second month in a row, China’s imports of ethylene polymers hit a new record high. Year to date, reduced volumes from North America were offset by increased volumes from Asia-Pacific sources.
Continue readingTrends in Asia-Pacific Trade in Butadiene in 2018
Lower imports into Asia-Pacific’s two top markets, Korea and China, were reflected in the region’s trade in 2018. Imports from other regions were down and intra-regional trade volume was flat with the prior year.
Continue readingStrong Expansion in Liquefied Propane Gas Global Trade in 2018
The volume of liquefied propane gas (LPG) traded globally in 2018 was up 11% from 2017, to 78 million tons, based on latest available data.
Continue readingChina Imported Record Volumes of Polymers and Other Products in January 2019
In advance of the Chinese New Year holiday beginning on February 5th, China’s imports of many products jumped to new highs in January.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Olefins from the United States
On August 23rd, 2018, China imposed a 25% duty on imports of ethylene, propylene and butadiene from the US. China imports relatively small volumes of propylene and butadiene from the US. Imports of ethylene, however, are sizable and volumes slowed in the fourth quarter, impacted by the duty.
Continue readingPhenol Global Trade Volume Projected Up 7% in 2018
Higher phenol exports from new capacity in Saudi Arabia was one factor in the 7% increase in global trade volume, to 3.0 million tons, projected for 2018.
China’s Imports of Polyethylene from US Slow in October
China imported 39,000 tons of ethylene polymers from the US in October 2018, down from a monthly high of 102,000 tons in August.
Little Change in MEG Global Trade Volume Projected for 2018
ITP projects MEG trade volume for 2018 of 15.1 million tons, up 1% from 2017. This compares with an increase of 10% from 2016 to 2017. The trend in global trade volume generally indicates the trend in world demand.
US Exports of Propylene Polymers Drop; Imports Rise
US exports of polypropylene, propylene copolymers and polyisobutylene were down 14% through July 2018, to 1.1 million tons, while imports jumped 36%, to 370,000 tons.