Tag Archives: China

China to Raise Naphtha Imports to Counter Ethane and LPG Trade Uncertainties

Although trade tensions have decreased, the higher tariffs in effect and earlier supply disruptions impacting ethane and liquefied propane gas imports from the US have led China to double import quotas on naphtha, which is used mainly to make petrochemicals.

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China’s Surging PP Exports Have Sharply Reduced Korea’s Exports Within Asia-Pacific and Africa, but Not Yet in Europe

China and South Korea are early reporting countries with trade data currently available for April 2025. From January to April, China exported 1.0 million tons of polypropylene (all grades), up 17%; Korea shipped 1.2 million tons, down 9%.

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Liquefied Propane Gas Global Trade Continues Expanding and Adapting to Shifting Market Dynamics

LPG global trade expanded each year over the 2020 to 2024 period and continued through April 2025. Rising US exports, increasing demand globally for LPG as a petrochemical feedstock and a cleaner fuel, and the ban on EU imports from Russia were key market drivers.

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The US Exports Substantially More Ethane than Polyethylene to China, But Ethane Shipments May Now be Subject to Licensing Requirements

Ethane is a key feedstock for producing ethylene, which in turn is polymerized to make polyethylene — one of the world’s most widely-traded plastics.

The US exported 1.8 million tons of ethane to China through April 2025, up 23%. As part of the ongoing trade conflict the US Commerce Dept. has indicated that licenses may now be required to continue these exports.

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Asia-Pacific’s ABS, SAN, Polyacetal, Polycarbonate, PMMA, and PET Trade in 2024: Key Trends and Regional Shifts

Asia-Pacific was the world’s largest exporter of all of these engineering polymers in 2024 and volumes were up from the prior year, especially for PET. Asia-Pacific was also the world’s largest importer of polyacetals, polycarbonates, and PMMA. Trade flows shifted markedly for both exports and imports.

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North America’s ABS, SAN, Polyacetal, Polycarbonate, PMMA and PET Trade in 2024: Key Trends and Regional Shifts

North America exported sizable volumes of polycarbonates, polyacetals, ABS and PET film/fiber grade in 2024 and imported large volumes of bottle and film/fiber grade PET, and ABS.

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China Imposes Anti-dumping Duties on Imports of Polyacetals from US, EU, Japan, and Taiwan

On May 18, 2025 China set a rate of 74.9% on imports of polyacetals from the US, 34.5% on imports from EU, and varying rates on imports from Japan and Taiwan. Imports from Japan were set a duty of 35.5%, except for Asahi Kasei, with a company-specific rate of 24.5%; imports from Taiwan were at 32.6%, except for Formosa Plastics, at 4%, and Polyplastics, at 3.8%.

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China’s Polymer Trade in April 2025: Record Exports, Low Imports, Huge Challenges Ahead

Following the traditional Chinese New Year slowdown in February, China’s exports of all the commodity polymers – PE, PP, PVC, Styrenics, and PET – rebounded to record levels in March and continued strong in April. Exports of fabricated products also were high. Imports were flat. Major headwinds are expected to impact exports in the coming months.

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The US Eyes Tougher Sanctions on Countries Importing Iranian Petrochemicals

While US sanctions currently target specific companies that facilitate exports of Iranian oil, Washington is weighing a broader move: sanctions on countries that import Iranian petrochemicals. This potential escalation could impact ethylene glycol, methanol, polyethylene, and liquefied butane and propane gases, among others, with wide-ranging implications for global trade flows. Iranian export statistics show China as the largest destination for these products. Volumes do not, however, correlate with China’s import statistics.

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