Three fold increase in total June polymer imports from India to China

According to data revealed by the Chinese Customs Agency, China imported 1.05 mln tons of polymers in June 2011, as per ChemOrbis. China’s plastics imports in June 2011 maintained its downward move, retreating for a third consecutive month. The total imports in June were also down on a yearly basis, representing a drop of 117,000 tons when compared to June 2010. South Korea, Taiwan and Saudi Arabia were the largest three exporters, although imports from these countries dropped on a monthly basis to 200,567 tons, 158,279 tons and 134,775 tons in June 2011. Thailand with 74,835 tons, the US with 63,391 tons and Singapore with 62,458 tons were other followers. Although China’s imports from many countries were down in June, India almost tripled its exports to this country from May to June, with total polymer exports from India reaching 34,159 tons in June. China’s total homo PP imports, which were down over the months of April and May, turned up in June to reach 267,000 tons. The largest 3 homo PP exporters were South Korea with 63,662 tons, Saudi Arabia with 42,482 tons and Taiwan with almost 39,000 tons. Imports from Oman and the US were up from May to June while the largest jump was seen in Indian homo PP which rose to 26,887 tons, nine times more than what China imported from this country in May. Total PVC imports were more or less unchanged from the May figure at 60,000 tons. The US became the largest exporter in June with 18,855 tons, which was followed by Taiwan with 18,714 tons and Japan with 16,024 tons. In the PE market, China’s total imports for June were down across the board for all products month over month. In June, the country imported 97,000 tons of LDPE, 234,000 tons of HDPE and 147,000 tons of LLDPE. Iran, Qatar and South Korea had the largest stake of LDPE imports to China, each exporting between 10,000-17,000 tons. LDPE imports from Azerbaijan jumped significantly from 225 tons to 4,230 tons month over month while imports from Thailand were doubled nearing 5,000 tons. The US, on the other hand, exported half of what it exported in May, with total LDPE imports from the US retreating to 5,684 tons. In the HDPE market, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates were the top 3 exporters, all raising their exports from May to June. As for LLDPE, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Singapore exported the highest volumes in June, although exports from Saudi Arabia and Singapore were down significantly month over month. China’s total PS imports were down for a second month in a row. Of the overall PS imports, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea had the largest stake, each exporting between 15,000-21,000 tons.