The changes in China’s trade in polyethylene, polypropylene, styrenic polymers, PVC and PET have profoundly impacted trade flows for both exporting and importing countries.

China’s imports of commodity polymers peaked in 2020 at 34.1 million tons but then declined. By 2024, imports were down 10.1 million tons, to 24 million tons.

Polyethylene (all grades) experienced the largest volume decline over the period, a loss of 4.6 million tons. Although imports from North America jumped 70%, there were steep declines on supplies from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Imports of polypropylene fell 2.8 million tons, again mainly on lower volumes from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Styrenic polymer imports were down 2.1 million tons; PVC, 0.8 million tons. Imports of PET posted a gain of 0.1 million tons.

China’s exports of commodity polymers showed the opposite trend, generally rising over the four-year period, albeit with seasonal surges, from 5.1 million tons in 2020 to 15.2 million tons in 2024.

Exports of PET increased by the greatest volume, 4.3 million tons, on higher shipments to all regions except Western Europe.

Exports of polypropylene grew by 2.1 million tons, mainly on gains to markets within the region followed by Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe.

The PVC volume gain of 2.3 million tons saw Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East as strong growth markets.

Exports of polyethylene rose 1.0 million tons, noting especially gains to Africa as well as within Asia-Pacific.

Exports of styrenic polymers posted a gain of 0.6 million tons on small gains across all regions.

From International Trader Publications “China Polymer Trade Report” analyzing China’s trade in all grades of commodity polymers, updated as soon as China reports its monthly trade statistics.