Several major trade flows contributed to the 11% increase in the volume of LNG traded globally August 2017 YTD versus the same period last year. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Western Europe
Recent Trends in Polyethylene Film and Sheet Global Trade
Global trade in PE film/sheet was nearly 5 million tons in 2016, up 7% from the prior year. Trade volume through July 2017 was up 6%. Trade within the regions of Western Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America, and also shipments between Western and Eastern Europe, are prominent trade patterns for PE film and sheet.
US Cyclohexane Exports up 52% Through June, Mainly on Western European Shipments
The United States exported 118,500 tons of cyclohexane through June 2017, up 52% from the same period in 2016. Shipments hit a new monthly high of 35,000 tons in May, but slowed to 8300 tons in June.
Global Butadiene Trade Volume Up 8% Through June 2017
Butadiene trade totaled over 1.3 million tons in the first half of 2017, up 8% from the same period in 2016. Prominent trends included increased imports into Asia-Pacific and expanded trade within the region, a strong increase in exports from Latin America, and lower exports from Western Europe.
US Propylene Exports Set New Record
United States exports of propylene hit 61,000 tons in June, 2017, at an average price of $813/ton. Shipments YTD were up 31% from the same period in 2016.
Global Trade in LPG up 4% June 2017 YTD: Higher Imports into Asia-Pacific and Western Europe
The volume of liquefied propane gas traded globally as imports and exports was up 4% through June 2017, to over 34 million tons. Increased imports into Asia-Pacific and Western Europe and higher exports from North America, Africa and Middle East were prominent trends.
China’s End to Imports of Recycle Polymers Will Have Global Impact
If China cuts off all imports of recycle plastics, as reported in the media as possibly occurring as soon as 2018, the impact on recycling industries in the US, Europe and Asia of the loss of a market for 7.3 million tons of recycle polymer would be huge.
North America’s Trade in PE Film and Sheet
North America is a relatively small exporter and importer of PE film and sheet, compared with Western Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Trends in Brazil’s Polyolefins Trade
Brazil’s imports of ethylene polymers were up 13% through June, 2017 and imports of propylene polymers increased 5%. Brazil’s exports of these polymers were off slightly YTD.
The Eastern European Import Market for Polyethylene
In 2016, Eastern Europe, including Turkey, imported 4 million tons of ethylene polymers from other regions, primarily Western Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Import volume in 2016 was up 5% from 2015. Continue reading