Official Chinese customs statistics have shown that imports of PET and ABS into China were up in August, despite the introduction of tougher import restrictions.
From 1 August, tighter rules were placed on the export of material into China, and this seems to have had an impact on low grade material in particular.
In August, China imported 24,415 tonnes of PET in chips or slices compared to 14,864 tonnes in July. However, compared to August 2010, this was down 1.2 per cent.
ABS was up 4 per cent year on year in August to 160,565 tonnes imported, and was also up on July’s 158,233.
Scrap copper dropped in August to 380,000 tonnes from 430,000 tonnes in July, but this still represented a 36.2 per cent increase on August last year suggesting cheap prices have encouraged Chinese buyers of the material to remain in the market.
Aluminium scrap was down to 200,000 tonnes from 220,000 tonnes in July. However, compared to August 2010 it was up 1 per cent.
