US July PA imports plummet by 88% on year

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US phthalic anhydride (PA) imports in July totalled 230,000 lb, an 88% fall from 1.9m lb a year earlier, the US International Trade Commission (USITC) said on Tuesday.

US PA imports in July fell by 79% when compared with 1.07m lb in June, the USITC said.

The significant drop in imports could be a reflection of stronger PA demand in countries that usually supply the US with flake material, one source said.

The US imported PA from Mexico, Brazil, Canada and India between January and July. Mexico was the chief supplier of the product at 86%, according to the USITC.

US PA demand has weakened in 2007 due to a drop in the consumption of plasticisers and unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), as these markets have been affected by the slowdown in the housing and automobile sectors.

US PA imports in January-July totalled 9.1m lb, a 46% reduction from 16.8m lb in the same period of 2007, the USITC said.