Tag Archives: US Polymer Trade Report

The United States is Back. New Record High on PE Exports in May 2020, Much Higher Shipments to China a Key Factor.

US exports of ethylene polymers rose to 1.0 million tons in May, 2020, an all-time high, after slowing to 885,000 tons in April. The average price across the major polymer groups fell to $921/ton.

Continue reading

US Ethylene Polymer Exports, R-PE Trade, and Imports of PE Sacks and Bags as of February 2020

US exports of ethylene polymers continued strong through February 2020, volume near record levels. Shipments of recyclable polymer continued falling. Imports of PE sacks and bags from China dropped.

Continue reading

Surge in US Exports of PE in March 2019; Declining Imports of Fabricated Plastic Products

The US exported 800,000 tons of ethylene polymers in March 2019, a new record. Imports of fabricated plastic products, many of which come from China, were impacted by the US-China trade war.

Continue reading

Regional Shifts in US Exports of Linear Low Density Polyethylene

Two main factors – the startup of new capacity plus tariffs on exports to China – have resulted in large regional shifts in US exports of linear PE.  Exports have increased to all regions but especially to Western and Eastern Europe, and combined shipments to those regions now exceed those to Asia-Pacific.

Continue reading

Tariffs Impact US Imports of Plastic Products from China

On August 23rd, the US imposed tariffs of 25% on imports of a number of fabricated plastic products from China, including film/sheet from PE and PP, tubes/pipes from PE and PP and monofilament from PE. US imports from China of all these products except PE film/sheet were down in August versus July.

Continue reading