US August Ethylene Exports Recede, Propylene Exports Rise From July: Census

U.S. ethylene exports in August receded 4% from July levels while propylene rose 28% over the same period, according to the latest data from the U.S Census Bureau.

August ethylene exports totaled just under 78,000 metric tons, down from 81,000 mt reported in July. Compared to August 2023 and 2024 levels, volumes are down 25% and up 57%, respectively.

Year-to-date volumes total just under 500,000 mt, a nearly 12% decrease from 570,000 mt reported over the same period in 2024 and a 34% decrease from 761,000 mt reported over the same period in 2023.

The main destinations for August U.S. ethylene volumes were Italy (33,100 mt), Belgium (21,000 mt) and Portugal (12,000 mt).

Meanwhile, the U.S exported 34,000 mt of propylene in August, a 28% increase from July. Compared to 2023 and 2024 levels, exports were up 33% and 75%, respectively, from 25,000 mt and 19,000 mt.

Year-to-date propylene volumes totaled nearly 250,000 mt, a 13% increase from 220,000 mt reported in 2024 and a 21% decrease from 315,000 mt reported in 2023.

Colombia was the largest recipient of propylene cargos in August at 21,000 mt, while Mexico was the second-largest with 12,000 mt received during the same period.

The U.S. imported just under 4,000 mt of propylene in August, mostly unchanged from the July level.

In non-resin derivatives, ethylene glycol exports totaled 332,000 mt while imports totaled 29,000 mt in August. Propylene glycol exports totaled just under 10,000 mt while imports dropped to 800 mt in August. August propylene oxide exports fell to nearly 13,000 mt while ethylene oxide exports moved lower to just over 600 mt.

-Reporting by Adam Burkin, aburkin@opisnet.com; Editing by David Barry,dbarry@opisnet.com and Michael Kelly, mkelly@opisnet.com