Belgium, Brazil, Mexico and China were among the top five destinations. Average prices continued their upward climb.

The beginnings of a recovery from February freeze’s effect on production and exports was evident in May for LLDPE, as ethylene alpha olefins copolymers. Shipments for the month rose to 299,000 tons, up from a low of 259,000 tons in April. The average price gained $141/ton, rising to $1388/ton in May. YTD, exports totaling 1.6 million tons were off 12% from the same period in the prior year.

Exports of HDPE also showed a small gain, of 15,000 tons, to 230,000 tons in May. The average price gained $72/ton, rising to $1623/ton in May. Volume YTD totaled 1.4 million tons, down 20%.

From International Trader Publlications’ United States Polymer Trade Report, a monthly analysis of latest US imports/exports of ethylene, propylene, styrenic, vinyl and PET polymers, recyclable polymers and key fabricated plastic products.