Content provided in partnership with

Leading U.S. Export, Chemicals Continue Gains PIERS Trade Data Shows

PR Newswire, May 13, 2008

NEWARK, N.J., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions, a Commonwealth Business Media company, reported today that U.S. containerized exports of chemicals on the rebound since 2006, should continue to see volume gains at an annual rate of 7.9% in 2008.

The forecast is subject to an unusually high degree of uncertainty as the U.S. and global economic slowdown continues this year, cautions Michael Andrews, Chief Economist for PIERS.

Still the positive trend revealed by PIERS waterborne import-export trade statistics is good news for one of the top U.S. exporting sectors by value. Chemicals exports average almost $120 billion annually and account for 10 cents of every dollar in U.S. exports.

Most Popular Articles in Business: Research and Markets : Tesco Plc - SWOT Framework Analysis; Do Us a Flavor - Ben & Jerry's Issues a Call for Euphoric New Flavors; eBay made easy: ready to start an eBay business? These 5 simple steps will ...; Katrina's lawsuit surge: a legal battle to force insurers to pay for flood ...; Wal-Mart's newest distribution center opened last month near the southwest ...; More »

Included in this category are synthetic resins and plastics, synthetic rubber, polyethelyne, melamine and urea resins. PIERS statistics show trade volumes are growing fastest in commodities categorized as vinyl alcohol and PVC resins, with imports up 134% and exports up over 500% in the years 2000-2006. PVC -- or polyvinyl chloride -- is used in a variety of applications, including gramophone records (hence "vinyl records"). But more than half of PVC around the world is used in construction in the form of plumbing, siding, window frames and as a replacement for more traditional building materials such as wood, concrete and clay. While new housing starts have been plunging in the U.S., the global building boom, especially in Asia and the Middle East, will continue to drive demand.

A runner-up in the fastest-growing import category, toilet preparations, which grew 125% in 2000-06, provides some evidence of the ongoing structural shift in production facilities from higher- to lower-cost countries, says Andrews.

"So far, portions of the chemicals industry have been affected by these trends to a lesser extent than other industries," the PIERS economist adds. "But as China and other countries move up the value-added chain in chemicals production, imports which we now forecast will drop in the near term could grow at a more rapid pace."

The PIERS trade data ranks Dow Chemical as the top exporter, with E.I. Dupont de Nemours in the Number 2 slot. Dupont is also the second-ranked U.S. importer of chemicals; the top importer is Lanxess.

These findings based on PIERS trade data through fourth-quarter 2007 are included in the latest PIERS Sector SnapShot, a periodic summary of containerized import-export trade in bellwether commodities. PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions is the primary source of U.S. waterborne trade information and a leader in global trade intelligence solutions.

A copy of the PIERS Chemicals Sector Snapshot is included for reference and further details.

About PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions

PIERS is the primary source of U.S. waterborne trade information and a leader in global trade solutions.

Launched over 30 years ago by The Journal of Commerce as the Port Import Export Reporting Service, its first venture in electronic information, PIERS quickly became the standard reference on container trade for the maritime industry.

The database that is at the core of PIERS information products is unique. Based on the manifests and bills of lading that document import-export activity, and checked by reporters in every port, the PIERS database yields the most timely, accurate, comprehensive information available on trade through U.S. Ports.

More specialized PIERS databases also offer historical data back to the 1950's, trade finance data, and Asia and Latin American trade data.

PIERS economists and researchers supply expert data analysis and interpretation to support decision-marking, while detailed and customizable datasets yield solutions for cross-border marketing, supply-chain management and competitive intelligence.

A roster of over 6,000 private industry, trade association, and domestic and foreign government clients, representing more than 40 countries, relies on PIERS to translate trade data into meaningful intelligence that guides their global business strategies. For more information visit http://www.piers.com/ .

About Commonwealth Business Media

Commonwealth Business Media, Inc., a subsidiary of United Business Media plc, is the leading information provider to the global trade and transportation market with comprehensive proprietary data, news and analytical content. Its leading brands include The Journal of Commerce, PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions, BACK Aviation Solutions, Air Cargo World, Traffic World, OAG and Aviation Industry Group, a number of directory databases covering the international trade, railroad and trucking markets. The Company also produces more than 30 conferences serving the international trade, aviation and maritime markets. Commonwealth is headquartered in East Windsor, New Jersey, with offices in Newark, San Francisco, New Haven, Long Beach, Atlanta, Montreal, Toronto, Washington DC, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Singapore, Hong Kong and London. For more information on Commonwealth Business Media, Inc. and the products they offer, visit http://www.cbizmedia.com/ .

Leading U.S. Export, Chemicals Continue Gains PIERS Trade Data Shows

PR Newswire, May 13, 2008

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Reference

Most Popular Articles in Business

Most Popular Publications in Business