Over 835,000 tons of benzene were imported into the US through May 2014, up 20% from the same period last year. As US crackers continue the trend to lighter feedstocks, lower US benzene production and increased benzene imports are likely. Continue reading
Tag Archives: South Korea
China’s PE imports up 13% – 43% through May 2014
China’s imports of LDPE were up 43% YTD; LLDPE up 25%; HDPE up 13%; and EVA, up 31%. A massive surge in imports in January plus relatively high volumes in following months accounted for the large percentage gains. Continue reading
PMMA Polymer World Trade Volume up 17% in First Quarter of 2014
Nearly 140,000 tons of PMMA polymer were traded globally in the first quarter of 2014, up 17% from the prior year’s first quarter. Continue reading
Polyacetals World Trade Volume up 12% in First Quarter of 2014
More than 200,000 tons of polyacetals polymer was traded in the first quarter of 2014, up 12% from the prior year’s first quarter. Continue reading
Western Europe’s PET Imports in 2013 to Exceed 1 Million Tons
A 17% increase over the prior year, to more than 1 million tons, is projected for the region’s PET imports in 2013, higher volumes from Asia-Pacific and the Middle East major factors in the gain. Continue reading
Reduced Polypropylene Exports from the Middle East Shift Global Trade Flows
Middle East exports of polypropylene homopolymer have been down since February 2013, with lower shipments to Asia-Pacific, Western and Eastern Europe and Africa. Other trends evident in the first half of the year were expanded trade within the Asia-Pacific region and substantially higher imports into Eastern Europe from other regions. Continue reading
Polyacetals Global Trade Volume Rises
The amount of polyacetals polymer traded globally as imports and exports was particularly heavy from March through June of 2013. Expanded trade within the Asia-Pacific region and substantially higher imports into that region from Western Europe contributed to the rise in volume. Continue reading
US Benzene Imports Up 31%, Japan the Second Largest Supplier
US benzene imports trended higher in both April and May of 2013 and totaled 873,000 tons May YTD, up 31%.
There were relatively modest increases in volumes from three of the US’s top four suppliers: South Korea, up 7%, Canada, up 2%, and Brazil, up 14%.
Imports from Japan of 145,000 tons through May, however, were up 490% from small volumes early last year, moving that country into second place among US suppliers, behind South Korea.
Vietnam Among the World’s Top Ten Importers of Polypropylene and Other Polymers
Based on April 2013 YTD data, Vietnam ranked among the world’s top ten importers of polypropylene, ABS, general purpose polystyrene, PET and EVA. Continue reading