Tag 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.

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Reduced 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.

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US-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.

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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

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.

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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.

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