While larger volume imports remain depressed, China’s exports of PE and PP soared from March through May.

New polypropylene capacity in China was reflected in the jump in exports, which totaled 802,000 tons May YTD, up 274%. Nearly all of this was homopolymer. Vietnam, India, Turkey and Pakistan were leading export destinations, among many. Imports continued low, volume YTD of 2.1 million tons down 11% from the same period last year.

Exports of polyethylene showed the same surge and totaled 432,000 tons May YTD, up 60%. HDPE and ethylene copolymers accounted for over 70% of the total. Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korea and Brazil headed the list of export destinations. China’s imported 7.8 million tons of PE YTD, unchanged from the same period last year.

From International Trader Publication’s China Polymer Trade Report, a monthly analysis of China’s trade in polymers of ethylene, propylene, styrene, PVC and PET, recyclable polymers, and key fabricated plastic products.