Lower imports into China, together with rising exports from, China will impact trade flows from Western Europe, North America and the Middle East.

ITP’s Projections for global trade volume have consistently been within two percentage points of final data for most products. The trend in global trade volume generally indicates the trend in global demand, given supply availability.

China is the world’s largest importer of polyacetal polymer. The addition of new capacity by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical and Polyplastics is projected to result in a 21% drop in China’s imports in 2025 versus 2024, to 335,000 tons. The downward trend in China’s imports of POM is visible in the graph. Latest statistics through August 2025 show imports into China of 217,000 tons, down 22%. Imports were down from Korea, Malaysia, Germany, Taiwan, Japan, US, and Saudi Arabia, among others.

Although exports out of China are much smaller, there has been a sharp rise in recent months. Volume through August 2025 was 33,000 tons, up 48%. Vietnam, India, Turkey and Brazil were leading export destinations.

ITP projects exports lower exports to the Asia-Pacific region from: Western Europe, 76,000 tons, down 8%; North America, 56,000 tons, down 39%; and the Middle East, 26,000 tons, down 33%.

From International Trader Publications Polyacetals World Trade Analysis, based on latest trade statistics from all reporting countries.