The volume of ethylene monomer traded as imports and exports in 2016 was 7.1 million tons, up 4% from 2015. Much higher imports into Asia-Pacific from sources outside the region, and also into Western Europe, were key factors on the demand side. (Based on latest available trade statistics.) Continue reading
Tag Archives: Western Europe
US Exports of Polyethylene to Africa
The United States reported exports in 2016 to Africa of 30,000 tons of LDPE/LLDPE, down 14%, and 145,000 tons of HDPE, up 98%.
US Exports of Polyethylene to Asia-Pacific
The United States reported exports of LDPE/LLDPE in 2016 to Asia-Pacific of 300,000 tons, up 11%, and 260,000 tons of HDPE, up 9%.
US Exports of Polyethylene to Latin America
The United States reported exports of LDPE/LLDPE in 2016 to Latin America of 850,000 tons, down 11%, and 1.36 million tons of HDPE, up 8%.
Nearly 5 million tons of PE Film and Sheet is Traded Globally
Preliminary figures for 2016 indicate a 6% increase in global trade volume in polyethylene film and sheet, to just under 5 million tons.
China’s Exports of Fabricated Plastic Products Rose for the 4th Year in a Row
China’s shipments of a wide variety of fabricated plastic products climbed 10% in 2016, to 9.2 million tons, the fourth year in a row of gains.
Global Trade in Recycle Polyethylene Continues to Contract
The volume of recycle polyethylene traded globally in 2015 was 6 million tons, down 11% from the prior year. Through October 2016, global trade volume was down 18%.
Cuba’s Polymer Imports
Cuba’s largest polymer imports are HDPE, LDPE and PET. Sizable volumes of polyethylene bags/sacks and polyethylene film/sheet are also imported. Volumes rose sharply in 2015 versus 2014.
Butadiene Exports from Europe Up Sharply, United States and Mexico Top Destinations
Western Europe exported well over 200,000 tons of butadiene through June 2016, up 60% from the prior year. The United States, Mexico, South Korea and China were leading destinations, followed by Poland and Czech Republic.
Trends in Western Europe’s Propylene Monomer Trade
Highlights of Western Europe’s trade in propylene monomer through July 2016 were: lower intra-regional trade; higher imports; and, sharply higher exports.