Both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia exported more styrene through October, 2020, versus the same period last year, but Kuwait’s shipments to China increased while Saudi exports to that destination showed a decline.
Continue readingTag Archives: styrene
2019 – the Baseline Year Before Covid-19
2019 was a particularly important year as a baseline because it showed trends that were evolving globally before massive dislocations from Covid-19.
Continue readingReduced Supplies from Saudi Arabia Adds Pressure on China in the Trade War with US
Saudi Arabia is China’s top supplier of HDPE, LLDPE, MEG, DEG and styrene and also ships large volumes of polypropylene, liquefied butane gas and liquefied propane gas, among others. The recent attack on Saudi oil facilities will reduce exports of polymers and chemicals, at the same time as imports from the US are curtailed by punitive duties.
Continue readingUS-China Trade War Update
The March 1 deadline for an increase from 10% to 25% in tariffs by the US on $200 Billion of imports from China has been postponed, but tariffs on many polymers and chemicals put in place earlier by both countries remain.
Continue readingChina’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
India: Strong Import Market for Many Polymers and Chemicals
In contrast to trends in China, India’s imports of many basic chemicals and polymers posted large percentage increases through the third quarter of 2015 versus the same period in 2014. Continue reading
Latest Trade Projections for 2015
Trade indicates trends in global demand. Increased trade volume generally indicates growth in demand; decreased trade volume indicates contraction. Continue reading
Focus on: United States’ Chemical Trade in the First Half of 2015
United States’ exports of several chemicals surged in the first half of 2015: shipments of acetone, benzene, ethylene glycol, methanol, phenol, propylene and VAM were up 16% to 142% from the same period in 2014.
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.
Reduced Global Trade Volume Projected for 2014 for PS and Other Products
Demand drives global trade. ITP projects decreased global trade volume in 2014 versus 2013 for several large volume polymers and chemicals, indicating decreased demand.