Tag Archives: United States

China’s Commodity Polymer Trade Rebounds

March 2016 statistics show a rebound in China’s imports of both virgin and recycle commodity polymers. China’s exports of commodity polymers hit a record high.

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P-Xylene: Current Global Trade Trends

In 2014, global trade in para-xylene totaled 15.8 million tons, up 2% from the prior year. Trade volume through June of 2015 was up 12% from the same period in 2014, based on reporting countries. Global trade volume is an indicator of global demand.

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Polyethylene Sheets and Other Flat Products: Current Global Trade Trends

In 2014, global trade in polyethylene sheets and other flat products (film, foil and strip) totaled 4.4 million tons, up 2% from the prior year. Trade volume through June of 2015 was up 3% from the same period in the prior year, based on reporting countries. Global trade volume is an indicator of global demand.

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Update on US Polymer Exports – Mostly Down

Through September 2014, US exports of polyolefins, styrenics and PVC have either declined versus the prior year or been unchanged, despite the positive effects of increased US shale gas production on energy and feedstocks. Continue reading

Propylene World Trade Survey of Major Trends August 2014 YTD

The volume of propylene monomer traded globally through August 2014 was down 2% from the prior year. The decline reflected, among other factors, reduced trade within Western Europe, further declines on exports from the Middle East to Asia-Pacific, and a sharp drop in North America’s exports to Latin America. Continue reading