US VCM exports in 2008 drop 17% to 930,631 tonnes

11 February 2009 21:46  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US exports of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) decreased by 17% to 930,631 tonnes in 2008 from 1,124,105 tonnes in 2007, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) said on Wednesday.

Exports in December were down 34% to 35,469 tonnes from the 53,915 tonnes exported in November. 

US VCM exports dropped due to slipping downstream demand from the faltering construction sector and producers cutting production rates to historically low levels as they waited for market conditions to improve. 

Mexico, Colombia and Canada were the top three export destinations in 2008 and accounted for 94% of total shipments, the ITC said.

US Gulf export FOB (free on board) prices were $375-410/tonne (€293-320/tonne) on Wednesday, according to data from global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing.

US VCM producers include Formosa Plastics, Oxy Vinyls, Oxy Mar, Georgia Gulf, Shintech, Dow Chemical and Westlake.

($1 = €0.78)

For more on VCM, visit ICIS chemical intelligence
To discuss issues facing the chemical industry, go to ICIS connect

By: Leela Landress
+1 713 525 2653

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly