US 2015 styrene exports up by 12% year on year

HOUSTON (ICIS)–US styrene exports for 2015 were up by 12% from 2014, according to data made available this week by the US International Trade Commission.

The increase was the result of the significant jump in exports to China, which were more than six times higher in 2015 than they were the year before. The US also shipped more styrene to Mexico last year than it did in 2014.

Exports for December were down by 9% from the same month a year earlier, according to the data. Month on month, exports fell by 23% in December, the ITC said.

Meanwhile, US styrene imports for 2015 were down by 10% from 2014, according to the data. The decline was the result of fewer volumes shipped from Canada, which is the only styrene supplier to the US.

Imports for December were up by 10% from the same month a year earlier, the ITC said. Month on month, imports rose by 3% in December.

US styrene producers include Americas Styrenics, Carville Styrenics, Ineos Styrolution, LyondellBasell Chemical and Westlake Styrene.