US polystyrene (PS) exports in April increased by 2pc from a year earlier as North American producers raised operating rates on global supply concerns caused by the Mideast Gulf war.
US PS exports totalled 14,901 metric tonnes (t) in April, up from 14,510t a year earlier, US Census Bureau data compiled by Global Trade Tracker show.
Mexico, Canada and Malaysia accounted for about 90pc of US PS exports in April, taking around 10,277t.
The conflict in the Mideast Gulf intensified in March and April, prompting North American producers to boost production to fill extra orders from customers seeking to secure volumes ahead of possible global shortages of PS or feedstocks.
North American PS output rose to 268mn lb (121,605t) in April, up by 18pc from a year earlier, American Chemistry Council data compiled by Vault Consulting show.
