ITP's Recent Trends discuss important trends in international polymer and petrochemical trade. Graphs and figures are from ITP's Monthly Newsletters and Annual Reviews.

September 6, 2010
Demand in Western Europe for ABS, polycarbonates, PET, SAN and EVA was up 17%-21% in the first half of 2010. Demand for polyacetals jumped 81%. LDPE, HDPE, polypropylene and propylene copolymers demand increased 4%-12%. (PDF)

August 25, 2010
China's imports of several commodity and engineering polymers pick up in July; many continue at relatively high levels versus earlier periods. (PDF)

August 11, 2010
Middle East increases exports of polypropylene and propylene copolymers to Europe and Asia-Pacific. (PDF)

August 4, 2010
Iran's exports of HDPE, LDPE, methanol and PET post gains of 45%-388% through April 2010. (PDF)

July 27, 2010
China's imports of polyacetals and polycarbonates climb sharply throughout June. Imports of polyethylene, polypropylene, propylene copolymers and EVA ease but remain at historically high levels. (PDF)

July 16, 2010
Imports into Eastern Europe up substantially in first quarter 2010 for ABS, polyacetals, polycarbonates, PET, pp and pvc. Imports from the Middle East of HDPE and polypropylene increase. (PDF)

July 1, 2010
Middle East, Western Europe and North America score big gains on YTD polyethylene exports to China, but Asia-Pacific sources decline. (PDF)

June 30, 2010
Polyacetals and polycarbonates imports into China continue climbing in May but volumes of most other products fall slightly from April. Exceptions, with big declines: imports of benzene, MEG, DEG, styrene. (PDF)

May 28, 2010
China's imports of engineering polymers continue strong in April. Styrene imports set a new record. Polyethylene imports remain high, although off from March levels. (PDF)

May 19, 2010
United States exports of most commodity and engineering polymers post strong gains in first quarter 2010. (PDF)

May 18, 2010
ABS, SAN, polyacetals and polycarbonates global trade volume up 16%-132% through February 2010. (PDF)

April 22, 2010
China's back! Polymer and chemical imports rebound in March. LLDPE, LDPE and glycol imports set new all-time record highs. (PDF)

April 21, 2010
Unprecedented changes evident in global trade patterns in 2009 - surging imports into Asia-Pacific; major increases in exports to the region from the Middle East, Western Europe, North America and other regions; higher Middle East shipments also to Europe and North America. (PDF)

March 27, 2010
Despite lower imports in both January and February 2010, year to date, China's imports were substantially higher than in 2009 for many products. A rebound in imports is likely in March. (PDF)

March 1, 2010
Although China's trade slowed in January 2010 for most products, polyethylene imports actually increased. South Korea's trade generally was down from December. (PDF)

February 25, 2010
United States exports in 2009 exceed 2008 for several polymers and chemicals. PVC exports set new records through yearend. (PDF)

February 22, 2010
Japan and South Korea exported record volumes of numerous polymers and chemicals during 2009 as the result of extremely heavy demand in China, and also India and Vietnam. (PDF)

January 25, 2010
Spectacular end to a stunning year for imports into China, with new record highs in December, 2009, on imports of EVA, ABS, polyacetals, SAN, MEG and styrene and increased volumes of every other commodity polymer, engineering polymer and petrochemical followed by ITP. (PDF)

January 15, 2010
US exports of most commodity polymers were up substantially through November 2009, with the highest gains on shipments of PVC and HDPE. US imports of commodity polymers, however, most of which come from Canada, generally showed sizeable declines. (PDF)

December 30, 2009
Middle East Exports of Ethylene to Western Europe Fall 84% YTD; Shipments to Asia-Pacific Increase 9%. Middle East Exports of Propylene to Asia-Pacific Rise 46%. Asia-Pacific Also Imports More Propylene from North America, Latin America and Western Europe; Intra-regional Propylene Trade Expands 25%. (PDF)

December 18, 2009
Middle East Exports of Ethylene to Western Europe Fall 84% YTD; Shipments to Asia-Pacific Increase 9%. Middle East Exports of Propylene to Asia-Pacific Rise 46%. Asia-Pacific Also Imports More Propylene from North America, Latin America and Western Europe; Intra-regional Propylene Trade Expands 25%. (PDF)

December 4, 2009
North America's Exports in 2009 of Polyethylene, Polypropylene and PVC Likely to Exceed 2008 Levels. (PDF)

November 18, 2009
Western Europe's Polymer and Petrochemical Exports to Asia-Pacific Surge. Rising Exports to Eastern Europe also Evident. (PDF)

November 3, 2009
Unprecedented Shipments of Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Glycol, Methanol and Styrene Shipped from the Middle East to Asia-Pacific. Midle East Exports to Western Europe of Several Products Also Increase. (PDF)

October 3, 2009
The First Half of 2009 was a Period of Major Change in Global Trade Flows in Polymers and Petrochemicals. Trade volume for Several Products was Actually Higher Than Last Year. (PDF)