WASHINGTON: US August polypropylene (PP) exports dropped 5% year on year because of fewer shipments to China and Canada, according to government data released on Wednesday. But so far this year, exports remain flat, according to data from the US International Trade Commission (ITC).
PP imports, while much smaller than exports and representing only about 1% of production, rose 29% in the first eight months this year and almost 53% in August compared to the same month last year.
PP market sources attribute the increase to higher US prices. The top sources – Canada, Colombia, Korea and Israel – accounted for 97% of the rise in imports during August.
Major North American PP producers include LyondellBasell, ExxonMobil, INEOS, Total, Formosa, Braskem Americas, Pinnacle Polymers, Phillips 66 and Flint Hills Resources.
