India is currently the world’s second largest importer of polyethylene, with volume (all PE grades) in 2024 of 3.1 million tons, a distant second after China’s 16.7 million tons. India ranks third in polypropylene imports (all grades) with 1.6 million tons in 2024, following China with 4 million tons and Turkey with 2.4 million tons.

The rapidly growing Indian economy, relatively low per capita consumption of polymers, the inherent vulnerability of imports to supply disruptions and, especially as of late, tariffs, plus, the logical downstream extension of planned new refinery capacity, are strong incentives for India to add new polyolefin capacity.

Reliance plans to add polypropylene capacity in 2026. Polyolefin projects are also being considered by GAIL, Haldia and others but the timeline for these additions is uncertain given negative global economic headwinds and more new capacity planned by China. As these play out supply sources will shift, with Asia-Pacific suppliers most vulnerable given the advantaged feedstock position of the Middle East and, for polyethylene, also North America.

As of August 2025 YTD, India imported 2.0 million tons of polyethylene, down 8% from August 2024, noting, however, an upward trend in recent months. The Middle East supplied 52% of the total, 1.0 million tons, down 17%. Asia-Pacific supplied 31%, 0.6 million tons, down 4%. From North America came 11% of the total, 0.2 million tons, up 52%, the only region to show a gain.

As of August 2025 YTD, India imported 1.2 million tons of polypropylene, up 16%, with volumes at record levels in recent months. The Middle East and Asia-Pacific each provided 48% of the total, roughly 595,000 tons each. Imports from the Middle East were up 14%; imports from Asia-Pacific, up 20%.

From International Trader Publications’ India Polymer Trade Report, a monthly analysis of India’s trade in all grades of polyethylene, polypropylene, styrenics, PVC and PET, recyclable polymers and fabricated plastic products.