US plastic scrap exports jump higher in 2014

United States – Whereas US exports of a number of recyclables were lower last year, the nation’s overseas shipments of plastics scrap recorded significant growth. Data released by the Commerce Department reveal that US plastic scrap exports amounted to almost 2.2 million tonnes for an increase of approaching 14% when compared to 2013.

Revenues from these shipments climbed around 10% year on year to US$ 945 million. China was easily the leading buyer, upping its purchases from the USA by 5% to nearly US$ 433 million. Other leading outlets in 2014 were Hong Kong (US$ 219 million), Canada (US$ 93 million), India (US$ 59 million), Indonesia (US$ 33 million), South Korea (US$ 18 million) and Mexico (US$ 16 million).

US exports of PET scrap recorded particularly strong growth of 31% to 369 000 tonnes whereas the only polymer to suffer a drop-off in overseas demand last year was styrene (-16% to around 28 000 tonnes).